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A perfectly cooked pan seared salmon fillet on a white plate.

Classic Easy Pan Seared Salmon Recipe

This easy pan-seared salmon recipe delivers perfectly crispy skin and a tender, flaky interior. A simple yet elegant dish ready in under 20 minutes.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 2 fillets
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • Large, heavy-bottomed skillet
  • Spatula

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 2 (6-ounce) salmon fillets skin-on
  • 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 lemon for serving
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder or paprika (Optional)

Instructions
 

Cooking Steps

  • Remove salmon fillets from the refrigerator 10-15 minutes before cooking and pat them dry; season generously with salt, pepper, and optional garlic powder or paprika.
  • Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  • Place salmon fillets skin-side down in the hot pan and press gently for 30 seconds to ensure even contact.
  • Cook undisturbed for 4-6 minutes until the skin is crispy and the fish is cooked two-thirds of the way through.
  • Flip the salmon and cook for another 2-4 minutes until cooked through and flaky.
  • Remove salmon from the pan, let it rest for a few minutes, then squeeze fresh lemon juice over it before serving.

Notes

For best results, use a cast iron or stainless steel skillet. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary.