When it comes to simple weeknight meals, quick-cooking salmon fillets always have a place in my regular lineup. This foolproof technique delivers a perfect medium-cooked fillet that’s tender and flaky with deliciously crispy pan-seared skin.
Ingredients
2 (6 to 8-ounce) skin-on salmon fillets
1 tablespoon high smoking point oil, such as canola or vegetable
Kosher salt
Instructions
Remove 2 (6 to 8-ounce) skin-on salmon fillets from the refrigerator about 15 minutes before you're ready to cook (this will give them enough time to come closer to room temperature).
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Use a paper towel or clean kitchen towel to pat each fillet dry on the top and bottom to prevent them from sticking to the pan.
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Place a medium stainless steel or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and let the pan heat up for a couple minutes.
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Flick a few drops of water into the pan to test if it's hot enough. If the water sizzles and evaporates almost immediately, the pan is ready to go. If not, let it heat up for another minute and test again.
Add 1 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil and tilt the skillet so that a thin layer of oil coats the bottom. Continue to heat the oil until you see ripples across the surface, but not long enough that it smokes.
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Just before adding the salmon to the skillet, season the fillets with kosher salt.
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Carefully place the fillets skin-side down into the pan.
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The majority of the cooking will take place while the salmon is skin-side down in the pan. Above all else, resist the temptation to poke, prod, or move the fish; it's important that you leave it be. As the fish cooks, you'll notice the color of the fillet begin to lighten, starting at the bottom near the skin and slowly moving upwards. Cook the salmon undisturbed until the lighter-colored flesh has moved about 3/4 of the way up the fillets. This will come to a total time of 8 to 9 minutes for thick fillets and 6 to 7 minutes for thinner fillets.
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Use a fish or flat spatula to flip the salmon fillets, turning the fish away from you to prevent any oil splatter. Cook for 2 minutes more for thicker fillets and 1 to 2 minutes more for thinner fillets.
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Transfer the fillets to a paper towel-lined plate.
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Rest the fillets for about 3 minutes before serving.
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