This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my privacy policy.
The best pan seared salmon with butter, garlic and thyme. The salmon fillet with skin is crispy but moist and tender on the inside.
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
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients.
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. 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.
Cooking 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe is 317 calories per serving.
What To Serve With Pan Seared Salmon
Serve this dish with rice or spaghetti (such as Shrimp and Spinach Pasta or Salmon Spaghetti with Lemon Garlic Sauce) or a side dish like Air Fryer Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower. For a wholesome meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please leave a comment and consider giving it a 5-star rating. For more easy and delicious recipes, explore my Recipe Index, and stay updated by subscribing to my newsletter and following me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for new updates.
Other Recipes You Might Like
Pan Seared Salmon
Ingredients
- 10 oz salmon
- Salt
- Ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled
- 4 sprigs of thyme
- 3 dashes cayenne pepper
- Lemon juice
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Rinse the salmon under water and pat dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper.
- Heat a skillet (cast iron preferred) over medium heat. Add the butter and let it melt before adding the salmon, skin side down. Add the garlic and thyme.
- Pan-sear the salmon, uninterrupted, for about 1 minute. Flip the salmon and sear the other side for another minute, turning the garlic as well to prevent burning. Spoon the melted butter over the salmon while it cooks.
- Flip the salmon back to skin side down and sprinkle cayenne pepper on top. Add a squirt of fresh lemon juice and a pinch of salt to taste. Turn off the heat and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
you keep saying use lemon juice. but i see lime slices in the pan. so, can i use either?
Hi Daniel. Thank you for your comment. I used lemon juice and slices in my recipe photos, but I understand the confusion. Hope this helps.
The recipe is simple and easy, Thanks for sharing ?
Thanks!?