

Pan Seared Salmon Recipe
This is an easy pan seared salmon with the simplest ingredients. This is one of the best salmon recipes, it tastes just like Gordon Ramsay.
It’s nicely cooked on the outside with crispy bits while the interior is perfectly tender and moist.
What’s more, this pan seared salmon recipe takes minutes to come together for dinner tonight.

Recipe Ingredients
This homemade recipe calls for the following ingredients:
- Salmon fillets with skin
- Butter
- Garlic
- Herbs
- Salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper
- Lemon juice

How to Pan Sear Salmon?
It’s very easy to pan sear salmon with skin in a pan. I recommend using a cast-iron skillet for the best result.
First of all, you will need oil or butter. Any cooking oil or butter is fine. I prefer to use unsalted butter and add salt to taste.
First of all, heat up a skillet on medium heat and add oil or butter. Always pan sear the salmon with its skin down.
For the seasoning, you just need salt and ground black pepper on top of the salmon.

For the best flavors, always use cloves of peeled garlic and some herbs such as thymes or rosemary to infuse the salmon.
Pan sear without flipping the salmon, about 1-2 minutes on each side.
To add flavors, I like to use some cayenne pepper and lemon juice. A perfectly seared salmon fillet with skin should be just cooked on the inside but slightly charred with crispy edges on the outside.
Cook’s Tips
Follow my fail-proof secret techniques and tips below for delicious salmon dinner every time.
- To make salmon fillet with skin, it’s best to use a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet. The salmon will be cooked evenly.
- Use butter. Butter will turn into brown butter while cooking, lending an earthy note to the salmon.
- Add some heat with cayenne pepper or smoked paprika.
- Herbs such as thyme or rosemary will cut the fatty and fishy taste from salmon.
How Many Calories per Serving?
This recipe is 117 calories per serving.
What Dishes to Serve with This Recipe?
Serve this dish with rice or spaghetti. For a wholesome meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
5 Secrets to 20 Min Dinners
Get tricks for quick & easy meals!
Pan Seared Salmon

The best pan seared salmon with butter, garlic and thyme. The salmon fillet with skin is crispy but moist and tender on the inside.
Ingredients
- 10 oz. (300 g) salmon
- Salt
- Ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled
- 4 sprigs of thymes
- 3 dashes cayenne pepper
- Lemon juice
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Rinse the salmon with water and pat dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper.
- Heat up a skillet (cast-iron preferred) on medium heat. Add the butter, let it melt before adding the salmon (skin side down). Add the garlic and thymes.
- Pan sear the salmon, uninterrupted, for about 1 minute. Turn the salmon over and pan sear the other side, for another minute. Make sure you also turn the garlic over to avoid burning. Spoon the butter over the salmon with a spoon while cooking.
- Flip the salmon over (skin side down again) and add the cayenne pepper on top of the salmon. Add a squirt of fresh lemon juice, a pinch of salt to taste. Turn off heat and serve immediately.
Nutrition Information
Yield
2Serving Size
2 peopleAmount Per Serving Calories 117Total Fat 12gSaturated Fat 7gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 31mgSodium 585mgCarbohydrates 3gFiber 1gSugar 0gProtein 1g
Katie
The recipe is simple and easy, Thanks for sharing 💕
Rasa Malaysia
Thanks!😊
Robert
What if salmon doesn’t have skin can you still sear?
Rasa Malaysia
Yes can.
Robert
What if no skin on salmon
Rasa Malaysia
Just cook the same way.
Duncan Moore
Thanks Bee,
Another top notch recipe and so easy.
Reena Mitra
Very fussy about fishy smell how to neutralise the smell Reena
Evelyne
Thank you for so many dellicious recipes!
Lynette Chye
Looks so yummy!!! I mostly buy salmon steak than fillet. But I think till can try this recipe.
Admin
Thanks.
Alice
What about the scales on the skin? What do I need to do before cooking?
Rasa Malaysia
There shouldn’t be scales on the salmon skin if you purchase from stores.
Cheryl Kellis
How do you sear both sides without flipping it?
Rasa Malaysia
Flip it as I said in the recipe card.
Diane
I love salmon and this looks delicious. Hope all is well, Diane
Admin
Thanks.