This recipe was one of our top recipes of 2022 and an enduring,& tried-and-true favorite of Delish readers, and we can’t help but agree: It truly never disappoints. This savory-sweet salmon is quick and easy enough for weeknights (ready in under 30 minutes), but is also fancy enough for at-home date nights (or, an extra special Valentine's Day dinner). If you’re a seafood novice, don’t sweat it: Searing fish might seem intimidating, but with our top tips, you’ll be a salmon pro in no time.
Top tips for cooking salmon:
— Check your salmon. The average pack of portioned supermarket salmon typically doesn't have any remaining pin bones to worry about, but it's definitely best practice to double check. To check for bones, gently run your fingers along the surface of the fish until you feel a slight prick. Using a pair of kitchen or fish tweezers, firmly grip the bone and pull in the direction that it's naturally pointing.
— Get your pan seriously hot. It's important that you get your pan hot (and we mean hot), and the bottom of your pan thoroughly coated in oil. Once the fish hits the oil, you should hear a sizzle. If you don't, your pan isn't hot enough. Tip: With a hot pan comes hot oil—gently place your fillets away from you to prevent oil splatter.
— Leave them be. Let the fillets cook, undisturbed, for a few minutes. That (along with the high heat) is how you get that delicious crust. After about 3 minutes, use a spatula to gently lift a corner of one fillet. If it releases easily, it's ready to go. If not, give it a little more time. Flip, cook a few more minutes to get the skin crisp and the fish cooked through, and you're good to go!
Serving.
This recipe is perfect with a variety of sides, including coconut rice, roasted asparagus, bok choy or any of our favorite side dishes for salmon.
Storage.
If you have any leftovers, refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Made it? Let us know how it went in the comment section below!
