Pan-Seared Salmon with Crispy Skin
FREE RECIPE — This recipe is provided complimentary by The Kitchen Wins. No purchase necessary. Browse our kitchen tools at thekitchenwins.com
Adapted from: Classic professional kitchen technique
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 10 minutes | Serves: 2–4
Cast iron is the secret weapon for restaurant-quality salmon at home. The heavy, even heat creates a shatteringly crispy skin while keeping the interior perfectly moist. Once you learn this method, you'll never cook salmon any other way.
Ingredients
- 2–4 salmon fillets, skin-on
- High-smoke-point oil (avocado oil or canola oil)
- Salt and pepper
- Optional: lemon wedges, fresh herbs for serving
Instructions
- Remove the salmon from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. Pat the fillets completely dry with paper towels — this is the most important step for crispy skin.
- Season both sides with salt and pepper just before cooking (not in advance — salt draws out moisture).
- Heat your cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add enough oil to lightly coat the surface. The oil should shimmer but not smoke when you add the fish.
- Place the fillets in the pan skin-side down. Immediately press gently with a spatula for the first 30 seconds to prevent curling.
- Cook skin-side down for 6–7 minutes. The salmon will cook about 70% of the way up the sides — you'll see the color change from translucent pink to opaque.
- Flip and cook for just 1–2 more minutes on the flesh side. The center should still look slightly translucent — it will finish cooking from residual heat.
- The fish is done when it reaches 125–130°F internally for medium (chef's preference) or 145°F for fully cooked (FDA recommendation).
- Serve immediately — crispy skin waits for no one.
Pro Tips
- Never move the fish during the skin-side cook — let it release naturally from the pan.
- If the skin is sticking, it's not ready to flip yet. Give it another minute.
Shop This Recipe: A well-seasoned cast iron skillet is the only pan for this job. Browse our cast iron collection at The Kitchen Wins.
Pro Tip from The Kitchen Wins: The right tool makes all the difference. Browse our full collection of professional-grade cookware, bakeware, and kitchen tools at thekitchenwins.com — built for home cooks who take their craft seriously.
Secure Payments
