How to Pan Sear Salmon (In under 10 minutes!)

Pan Seared Salmon is definitely something you want to keep in your back pocket. It’s quick, easy, healthy, delicious, and goes with just about anything!

I spoke at an event the other month about pantry essentials, things I always keep on hand, things I buy week after week, and quick and easy dinner ideas that I turn to on those busy week nights! One of the things I recommended was making a quick pan seared salmon and serving it up with roasted vegetables and cauliflower rice or putting it on a salad, in tacos, etc.. I find myself frequently saying “it’s so easy!”, but often forget that not everyone spends all of their free time hanging out in the kitchen! Pan Seared Salmon really is easy, but it’s not something everyone knows how to do, so that’s my goal today: Teach you How to Pan Sear Salmon (In under 10 minutes!)

How to Pan Sear Salmon (In under 10 minutes!)

Before we begin, I want to point out that this is a basic salmon recipe in regards to spices and flavors. I wanted to keep it simple, so you could always turn to it no matter what type of cuisine you’re serving it with. It’s so delicious as is and totally ready to go, however, there are lots of ways to spice it up if you so desire, all depending on how you’re serving it.

How to Pan Sear Salmon (In under 10 minutes!)

Let’s do this!!

How to Pan Sear Salmon (In under 10 minutes!)

Step ONE: Pat dry salmon and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder; set aside.

Step TWO: Heat oil in a medium non-stick or cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Add salmon skin side UP, and cook for 4 minutes (without fiddling!).

Step THREE: Flip salmon over, add in ghee (or butter) and cook another 3-4 minutes depending on size of fillet and how you like it cooked.

Step FOUR: Squeeze on fresh lemon (optional) and serve!!

See? SO EASY. Literally takes 8 minutes total, but I’ll add a 2 minute buffer to get your salmon seasoned and ready. You can totally do this!! It pairs well with any vegetable, rice, quinoa, cauliflower rice, put it on salads, tacos, meal prep for the week. So many options!

A few different ways to jazz up this pan seared salmon!

  • lime zest, lime juice, chili powder, maple syrup and sriracha
  • Lemon zest, lemon juice, fresh dill
  • Garlic and butter- yum!
  • Soy sauce (or coconut aminos), hoisin, ginger, sesame oil
  • taco seasoning- easy and delish!
How to Pan Sear Salmon (In under 10 minutes!)
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How to Pan Sear Salmon (In under 10 minutes!)

How to Pan Sear Salmon (In under 10 minutes!)
  • Author: Lindsay Cola (Tippens)
  • Prep Time: 2
  • Cook Time: 8
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x

Ingredients

  • 26-7 oz center cut salmon fillets 
  • 34 T avocado oil (can sub olive oil)
  • 2 T ghee 
  • Salt + freshly cracked pepper 
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder 
  • Juice of 1/2 Lemon 
Scale

Instructions

  1. Pat salmon fillets completely dry with a paper towel.  Season with salt, freshly cracked pepper, and garlic powder. Heat oil in a medium sized non-stick or cast iron skillet over medium high heat.  
  2. When oil is hot, but not smoking, add salmon skin side up and cook for 4 minutes, without fiddling! 
  3. Using tongs, wiggle the salmon to release from the pan and gently flip over. Add in the ghee, and reduce heat to medium.  Cook for another 3-4 minutes, depending on the size of your fillet and how you like your salmon cooked.  Spoon that delicious ghee from the skillet onto the tops of the salmon and squeeze on the lemon. Serve!
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6 Comments

  • Reply
    Alison
    April 25, 2020 at 10:46 am

    SO GOOD!! I have always struggled to cook Salmon until I found this recipe!! Perfection!






  • Reply
    Mc Gravis
    April 25, 2020 at 10:46 am

    Only way I cook salmon now! Foolproof






    • Reply
      Lindsay Cola (Tippens)
      April 25, 2020 at 2:24 pm

      Thank you so much. Love hearing that. It truly is so quick and easy, and turns out great every time!

  • Reply
    Mandy C
    August 14, 2020 at 11:29 pm

    So good and so easy!






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