Do that Pan-fried salmon in lemon butter with 7 ingredients and in 30 minutes or less. This hearth salmon is cooked in a delicious lemon butter sauce, which makes it so tender and flavorful.
If you love that Pan Friend Salmon RecipeCheck out some of our other delicious salmon recipes: Scrambled with Dill Salmon and Eggs, Baked Lemon Pepper Salmon, and my favorite, Lemon Dill Salmon Burger.
Best way to cook salmon = salmon on the stove
Pan seared salmon comes out so tender and cooked to perfection. Flavored with lemon and butter, this oven-baked salmon recipe is flaky and delicious.
Salmon was on the left and right of the menu in Fit Foodie’s kitchen. First it was our amazing Baked Salmon in Foil, then leftover salmon patties, then salmon burgers, then grilled salmon and now… fried salmon!
Why Make This Roasted Salmon Recipe?
- 30 Minute Meal: Dinner is ready in less than 30 minutes!
- Healthy: Salmon is high in protein, packed with omega-3 fatty acids and low in carbohydrates, making it an excellent healthy meal.
- Perfectly Flaky: Pan seared salmon makes the outsides of your salmon fillets slightly crispy while the insides stay super tender.
What you need
salmon fillets: The star of the show here is beautiful, fresh salmon fillets. We used 4 1/3 pounds. Filets straight from the butcher.
Salt and pepper: Salt and pepper might seem easy, but don’t skip this part!
Butter: Butter is the fat used to fry salmon. If butter isn’t your jam, you can also try olive oil.
Chopped Garlic: We are garlic people. It’s such a fragrant addition to this recipe. Feel free to use minced garlic or mince your own.
Lemon: A bit of citrus will brighten up this buttery pan seared salmon!
Fresh dill: fresh dill is like icing on the cake. It combines all these wonderful flavors.
Can I use a large salmon fillet for this?
If you’re having trouble finding salmon fillets, feel free to purchase a large fillet that weighs about 1.33 pounds. Using a very sharp knife, cut into 4 equal fillets.
Try Surrender Salmon!
Our absolute favorite salmon is Surrender Salmon. They catch wild Alaskan salmon off Bristol Bay, Alaska. The salmon is bright orange so flaky and delicious and really the best.
Surrender Salmon is a family run business based right here in Minneapolis and they are good friends of ours! Support a local business if you can.
How to cook salmon on the stove
wonder How do you cook salmon on the stove? Don’t be intimidated into cooking your salmon on the stove because it’s super easy. How to Pan Sear Salmon in 4 Easy Steps:
- Heat: Heat a large non-stick skillet or cast iron skillet (we used a cast iron skillet and highly recommend using one) over medium-high heat. Add butter and garlic.
- sear: Once the butter is fragrant and bubbling, place the salmon on top skin side up and sauté for 4 minutes. If you have a thick piece of salmon, sear it an extra minute or two.
- Flip: Turn the salmon and sear for 3-4 minutes or until no longer light pink in the center and a meat thermometer reads 145ºF.
- Let rest: Remove the salmon from the pan and squeeze fresh lemon juice over it. Let it rest for 5 minutes before eating. Serve with fresh dill.
Salmon internal temperature
When preparing seared salmon, always have a meat thermometer on hand so you can check the internal temperature of your salmon. It should read no less than 145ºF to be considered safe.
Try it!
Thermoworks thermal pen
We swear by using a meat thermometer when preparing cuts of meat. The Thermapen is our popular meat thermometer that always works.
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How Long to Cook Salmon on the Stove?
Depending on the thickness of your salmon, it should take around 7-10 minutes to cook salmon on the stovetop.
FAQ
We recommend searing the salmon skin-side up first, then flipping it over and searing the skin.
The best way to tell if your salmon is fully cooked is to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. It should read at least 145ºF. The look and feel of your salmon should be firm to the touch, light pink in color and easy to peel off.
Neither is better than the other, but we prefer seared salmon because it cooks faster and we just love the crispy edges.
Big Jones
Cast iron pan
The Great Jones King Sear is our favorite cast iron skillet. Definitely worth adding to your kitchen collection!
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What to serve with fried salmon fillets
Greek yogurt dill pickle sauce: The Healthy dill pickle dip doubles as a sauce and is a favorite at our house. Eat it with fries or serve it on a salmon fillet.
Fried red potatoes: Make these Crispy Roasted Red Potatoes for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! They are perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They’re ready in under an hour and perfect for meal prep!
Arugula salad:This is an easy and delicious arugula salad recipe. It consists of arugula, dried fruits, vegetables and fruits. It’s the perfect side dish to any meal!
Oven Roasted Asparagus: Oven-roasted asparagus is the best way to eat asparagus! It’s a healthy side dish recipe that’s cooked to perfection.
What to do with leftover fried salmon?
Got any fried salmon left? Here are some ideas for using up that extra flaky fish!
storage
If you have leftover seared salmon, allow it to cool completely. Then place in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.