Your favorite salmon dishes are just 15 minutes away with this easy guide on how to cook salmon in a pan. The preparation and cooking time are as straightforward as can be. You'll be done in a flash and once you do, you'll realize how simple it is to create a fine dining experience right in the comforts of your kitchen.
Difference between Pan-Frying and Pan-Searing
- Pan-Searing:
Pan-searing is the process of heating a cast-iron skillet until it is smoking hot, adding the meat or fish, and immediately browning it. It's often adapted before roasting, braising, or frying.
This method uses high heat to give meat, fish, or vegetables a wonderful crispy exterior. As a result, you need to be careful not to burn the meat/fish. Contrary to common misconception, the technique does not "seal in juices," but it does give the meat's exterior a lovely caramelized flavor and texture.
Tips for pan-searing: Use cast iron skillets or skillets that have layers of stainless steel between layers of aluminum for the greatest pan-searing results and to prevent hot spots and burns. Aluminum's heat conductivity helps enable even cooking.
- Pan-Frying:
Pan-frying is a complete cooking technique and the best method for frying delicate white fish like salmon, sea bass, or cod. This is a shallow frying technique that enables you to achieve a crispy, golden-brown coating without completely drowning anything in oil, as you would when deep frying.
When pan-frying, the oil must be heated to around 325-400 °F and poured into a skillet. Generally, the best temperature for pan-frying meat is 350°F. The heat of the oil will drop slightly when you first add food to the pan, so you will need to adjust the stove to make sure it reaches the desired temperature.
How to Pan-Fry Salmon
Step 1: Season the salmon with salt, pepper, and a spice mix of choice.
Step 2 (Optional): Dredge the salmon filets by dipping both sides of each filet in flour. Gently shake off any excess, then dip both sides into beaten eggs. Finally, coat it with breadcrumbs.
Step 3: In a cast-iron sauté skillet, heat oil over high heat, then reduce to medium-high before adding salmon.
Step 4: Add the salmon filets skin-side down to the skillet and fry for 5 minutes on the first side.
Step 5: Flip the filets with a spatula and cook for another 5 minutes on the other side.
Step 6: Remove salmon from the skillet and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate.
Step 7: Garnish and enjoy.
How to Pan-Sear Salmon
Step 1: Season the salmon filets with salt, pepper, other spices, and/or sauces just like you would do when pan-frying.
Step 2: Heat a cast-iron skillet alone, then add the oil.
Step 3: Wait until the oil is sizzling, add the salmon filets to the skillet skin-side up. Sear them quickly for about 4 minutes on both sides.
Step 4: Remove the salmon from the skillet once it's ready.
Luna Regina
Writer, Author