Fish fans, you’re going to fall hook, line and sinker for this recipe. It calls for only a few ingredients, requires virtually no prep, and yields the most irresistibly crispy skin.

Grilled salmon fillets and herb decoration in old roasted pan.

The few keys to remember: Make sure to thoroughly pat dry the salmon before adding it to the skillet; dry skin means crispy skin. Let the salmon sit untouched in the pan for the allotted time and ensure skin is full contact with the hot skillet. Finally, don’t skip the last 60 seconds for searing…your patience will pay off.

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Pan Fried Salmon with Crispy Skin

Fish fans, you’re going to fall hook, line and sinker for this recipe. It calls for only a few ingredients, requires virtually no prep, and yields the most irresistibly crispy skin.
Servings: 1 serving
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
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Ingredients
 

  • 1 salmon filet, skin on (4 to 6 ounces)
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh lemon juice

Instructions
 

  • Pat salmon dry with a paper towel. Drizzle a tiny bit of oil on top (or mist with olive oil spray), using fingers to coat fish. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Liberally mist a non-stick pan with olive oil spray (or add at least 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil) and warm over medium-high heat. Once pan is fully heated, add salmon, skin-side down. Lower heat to medium.
  • Press down on salmon using a spatula, so all of the skin is in full contact with the hot pan. Let it sit, undisturbed, for 7 minutes.
  • While salmon cooks, mist flesh side with olive oil spray or lightly drizzle some more oil on top. Season with additional salt and pepper. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top and sprinkle on any other preferred seasonings or sauce.
  • Flip salmon carefully with spatula, and cook, flesh side down, for the remainder of the time. Depending on how you like it (rare or medium), it could be anywhere from 2 to 4 minutes.
  • Right before serving, flip salmon one last time to sear the skin for the final 60 seconds. Plate salmon skin side up and dig in!
Author: Joy Bauer, MS, RDN, CDN

Nutrition Information per serving

Calories: 390Carbohydrates: 9gProtein: 37gTotal Fat: 26g— Unsaturated Fat: 22.5g— Saturated Fat: 3.5gCholesterol: 110mgSodium: 100mgFiber: 0gTotal Sugar: 0g— Natural Sugar: 0g— Added Sugar: 0g
Nutrition information is calculated using a leading industry software. That being said, brands can vary, and there may be slight fluctuations in the numbers.
I’m hoping you loved this recipe! If you made it and want to share feedback, I’d be so grateful to hear from you. Please leave a review below or tag @joybauer on Instagram!