• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Recipe Vibes logo

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Privacy Policy
  • Website Accessibility
  • Recipe Videos
  • Contact
  • ×

    Home » All recipes » Pan Fried Salmon Recipe

    Published: Oct 16, 2022 by Kemi · This post may contain affiliate links

    Pan Fried Salmon Recipe

    Sharing is Caring

    1 shares
    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    Easy pan fried salmon recipe that is simple, quick, and ready in minutes. This pan fried salmon with skin is crispy, tender, flaky, and flavorful. Seasoned, then pan seared to perfection, it makes a great fish dinner served with vegetables and other side dishes.

    pan fried salmon fillets in a pan.

    Pan Fried Salmon Recipe

    This pan fried salmon recipe is all you need to make a great tasting, quick salmon dinner the whole family will love.

    Not only is it quick with 10 minutes cook time, but it's also flavorful, and flaky, with crispy skin.

    When you have to get dinner on the table in time, let these pan fried salmon fillets come to the rescue.

    The pan-seared salmon is cooked to perfection in just 6 minutes, using minimal ingredients, but it's packed full of flavor without overpowering the salmon taste.

    This pan-fried salmon with skin is as easy as marinating or seasoning the salmon, then frying it to perfection. Trust me, you can't go wrong with it. Pan frying salmon locks in moisture so no dry fish here.

    This recipe uses just a tablespoon to two of oil to cook it so no excessive oil or calories added.

    It is high in protein, low carb, and packed full of nutrients. It's restaurant quality, perfect for any weeknight. We like serving it with vegetables, and rice.

    You'll need a skillet and spatula to cook it. Let me show you how to fry salmon in a pan.

    Related: Air fryer salmon with skin

    pan fried salmon with skin displayed in a pan.

    Ingredients

    The detailed ingredient list, measurements, and directions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Salmon fillets - I use skin on salmon which is great when fried. The skin is crispy and delicious. You can use the one without skin, or fry and then take the skin off after. It's very easy to do so.

    Oil- Vegetable oil, Sunflower oil, or any other oil with a high smoking point.

    Seasoning- paprika, onion granules, garlic powder, parsley, salt, and pepper.

    ingredients displayed.

    How To Pan Fry Salmon

    Here's how to cook salmon in a frying pan be it with skin on or skinless:

    Mix the paprika, parsley, onion granules, garlic powder, parsley, salt, and pepper in a bowl.

    Pat the salmon fillets dry.

    Season the salmon on both sides with the seasoning mix.

    You can marinate salmon if you wish. If marinating, add the salmon in a bowl, cover it in salmon marinade, cover it with clingfilm, and put it in the fridge to marinate for 30 minutes. Bring out the marinated salmon and let it get to room temperature. Pat off any excess marinade.

    seasoned salmon.

    Place a skillet on medium heat.

    Add oil to the pan and when the oil is heated, gently place the salmon fillets skin side down in the pan.

    2 salmon fillets in a pan.

    Let it fry without moving them for 2-3 minutes till the skin is fried and crispy then flip the fish and fry for another 3 minutes or until cooked through.

    cooked salmon in a pan.

    Add in garlic butter and scoop it to drizzle the salmon (optional).

    Take the pan off the heat.

    Use a spatula to gently lift the fish and transfer them to a plate.
    Serve and enjoy.

    How Long To Pan Fry Salmon

    This depends on the size of the salmon. Salmon bites will fry than salmon fillets and salmon steak and whole side salmon will take longer to fry than fillets.

    How long to fry salmon is 6 minutes. 3 minutes on each side.

    The internal temperature should be at least 130F/55C. Check this with a food thermometer by inserting it into the thickest part of the fish and then reading the temperature. You can also check by inserting a fork to check the inside. If it flakes and is fork-tender, it is good. The inside should be pink and opaque.

    served on a white plate.

    What To Serve With Pan Fried Salmon

    Fried salmon is a versatile protein dish that can be served with vegetables, rice, pasta, and sauces. Some of the side dishes we like serving it with are:

    Fried potatoes, boiled potatoes, air fryer red potatoes, mashed potatoes.

    Boiled carrots, pan fried carrots, pan fried broccoli, oven roasted carrot

    Curry rice, Yellow rice, jollof rice, rice and peas

    Instant pot Pasta, creamy tomato pasta

    Fried yam, fried plantains

    Garlic butter sauce, peri peri sauce

    How To Store

    To store leftover salmon, let it cool completely then put it in a Ziploc or an airtight container, label then store it in the fridge or freezer depending on how long you want it stored for. If you will consume it within 3 days, store it in the fridge where it will keep well for up to 3 days, or in the freezer where it will keep well for up to 3 months.

    To Reheat

    It can be reheated in the microwave, air fryer, or oven.

    To reheat it in the microwave- Put the salmon on a plate that is microwavable, cover it, and put it in the microwave. microwave it on high settings at 30 seconds intervals till the fish is warmed through.

    To reheat in the air fryer- Put salmon in the air fryer basket, set the air fryer to a temperature of 180C, and air fry for 4 minutes or until it's heated through.

    Use leftover pan fried salmon in pasta, sauce, stews, sandwiches, and wraps.

    pan fried salmon with skin displayed in a pan.

    Tips

    • Choose good quality salmon.  
    • Pat salmon dry before seasoning or after marinating.
    • Use a heavy-based skillet like cast iron or stainless steel as they retain heat, and heat evenly which is required for even cooking and perfect searing of salmon.
    • Let the pan heat before adding the fish.
    • Pan fry salmon skin side down first then flip and pan fry the flesh side.
    • Don't lift the fish for the first 2-3 minutes to get a nicely seared salmon.
    • It's best to use a spatula to lift the salmon.
    • Garlic butter is great for flavor to add this in the pan and drizzle on salmon a minute before taking off the heat.

    FAQS

    Can I pan fry salmon

    Yes, Pan frying salmon is easy and quick, and you get crispy fried salmon without excess oil. Follow the recipe above for the best pan fried salmon.

    How long should you cook salmon in a frying pan

    Cook till it is at least 130F/55C internal temperature, it is tender and flaky inside, and the skin crispy. This usually takes about 5-8 minutes.

    Is it better to bake or pan fry salmon

    This depends. Pan frying is quicker than baking so if time is of the essence, it's better to pan fry salmon. Also, pan frying comes out crispier.

    Do you flip salmon when pan frying

    Yes, Pan fry a side then flip and fry the other side to get the fish cooked through and the sides crispy.

    How do you know when salmon is done pan frying

    It will lift easily from the pan without sticking, the inside will be tender, and flaky, and the internal temperature at least 130F.

    pan fried salmon fillets in a pan.

    More Easy Salmon Recipes

    Air fryer salmon with skin

    Salmon seasoning

    Salmon marinade

    Instant pot salmon

    More Fried Food Recipes

    Pan fried chicken breasts

    Pan fried steak

    Fried chicken drumsticks

    Pan fried vegetables

    I hope you like this pan fried salmon recipe as much as we do. If you find this post helpful, please rate it 5 stars and leave me a comment below. I love reading from you.

    Don’t want to miss a thing? Subscribe to the blog for free weekly recipes in your email. Also, follow recipe vibes on Instagram and Pinterest. Subscribe to my Youtube channel for recipe videos.

    pan fried salmon fillets in a pan.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Pan Fried Salmon Recipe

    Easy pan fried salmon recipe that is simple, quick, and ready in minutes. This pan fried salmon with skin is crispy, tender, flaky, and flavorful. Seasoned, then pan seared to perfection, it makes a great fish dinner served with vegetables and other side dishes.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time6 mins
    Total Time11 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American, British
    Keyword: how long to pan fry salmon, how to pan fry salmon, pan fried salmon, pan fried salmon recipe, pan fried salmon with skin
    Servings: 2
    Calories: 308kcal
    Author: Kemi

    Equipment

    • Skillet
    • Spatula

    Ingredients

    • 2 Salmon fillets
    • ¼ teaspoon Paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon onion granules
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ⅛ teaspoon Parsley
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil

    Instructions

    • Mix the paprika, parsley, onion granules, garlic powder, parsley, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
    • Pat the salmon fillets dry.
    • Season the salmon on both sides with the seasoning mix.
    • Place a skillet on medium heat.
    • Add oil to the pan and when the oil is heated, gently place the salmon fillets skin side down in the pan.
    • Let it fry without moving them for 2-3 minutes till the skin is fried and crispy then use a spatula to gently flip the fish and fry for another 3 minutes or until cooked through.
    • Add in garlic butter and scoop it to drizzle the salmon (optional).
    • Take the pan off the heat.
      Use a spatula to gently lift the fish and transfer them to a plate.
      Serve and enjoy.

    Notes

    • Choose good quality salmon.  
    • Pat salmon dry before seasoning or after marinating.
    • Use a heavy-based skillet like cast iron or stainless steel as they retain heat, and heat evenly which is required for even cooking and perfect searing of salmon.
    • Let the pan heat before adding the fish.
    • Pan fry salmon skin side down first then flip and pan fry the flesh side.
    • Don't lift the fish for the first 2-3 minutes to get a nicely seared salmon.
    • It's best to use a spatula to lift the salmon.
    • Garlic butter is great for flavor to add this in the pan and drizzle on salmon a minute before taking off the heat.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 308kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 58mg | Potassium: 650mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 176IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg

    Did you make this recipe? Great! Rate it by clicking the stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leaving a comment below. Don't forget to share this post with your friends, families, and also on your favorite Pinterest and Facebook groups.

    Related posts:

    Fried Yam Recipe
    Instant Pot Kidney Beans
    Instant Pot Boiled Eggs (Hard and Soft Boiled Eggs)
    Instant Pot Lo Mein
    « Best Salmon Marinade Recipe
    Boiled Cabbage Recipe »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Kemi

    Hello and welcome to my blog. I'm Kemi. Thanks for visiting. Stay a while, browse around, you will find easy delicious recipes.

    More about me →

    Air Fryer

    • crispy potatoes in air fryer basket.
      Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes (Air Fryer Crispy Potatoes)
    • Air fryer sea bass fillets displayed in the air fryer.
      Air Fryer Sea Bass
    • Air fryer bell peppers in air fryer basket.
      Air Fryer Bell Peppers
    • salmon cooked from frozen in air fryer displayed.
      Air Fryer Frozen Salmon

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Work with us

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2020 Recipe Vibes

    1 shares
    1 shares