If just thinking about cooking fish makes you nervous, try this simple way to cook perfect salmon fillets that are restaurant worthy. You can do it. It’s more of a technique than a recipe. Once you learn, you will never fear cooking salmon again.
Tools for the Technique
With the right tools, you can sear and serve salmon to the applause of your family. Packed with protein, omega-3 oils, and vitamin-D, salmon is a nutritious choice that supports healthy hearts. Using a non-stick pan ensures your fish will turn easily. A teaspoon of oil helps too.
To turn fish, try a thin, flexible, metal or silicone spatula. It is a handy and inexpensive tool to add to your collection. You can find them on Amazon. To skin salmon, a thin, sharp fillet knife is another necessary tool. I use a Wusthof 7″ fillet knife. The sharp, flexible blade makes it easy.
Tips for Buying Salmon
For the best taste, buy fresh, not frozen salmon and plan to cook it within a day of purchase. Ask for ice to keep fish really cold for transporting home. Plan for 4-6 ounces per person after skinning.
For more information on purchasing seafood, check out the Seafood Watch website. They list wild Alaskan salmon as their “best choice”. Print the pocket guide to shop with or download the app for your smartphone.
How to Keep Salmon (and More) Fresher Longer
With all that we spend on groceries t is critical to keep your food fresher longer. The key factor is refrigeration and the equipment you choose. My choice through two kitchen remodels has been Sub-Zero. We chose Sub-Zero because of their dual refrigeration technology as well as their gorgeous built-in style. Sub-Zero dual refrigeration means there are separate systems for the refrigerator and freezer. Frozen foods need cold dry air and refrigerated foods need cool humid air.
By providing these optimum conditions, food stays fresher longer, meaning you throw out less spoiled food, shop less and are assured of serving your family the healthiest food possible. And since the refrigerator and freezer don’t share air, you never have to worry about odor transfer like fishy ice. For more information, be sure to visit the Sub-Zero website as well as their Facebook page.
Check out this must-read guide on tips for food preservation.
How to Sear Salmon
Start by skinning salmon (or have the fish market do this for you). If the piece is large, cut it into portions first to make it easier. See this post for photos on how to remove the skin. After skin is removed, trim any purple bloodline on the skinned side. This darker area can taste strong, which is why many people think they don’t like salmon.
Season the top side with salt, pepper and granulated garlic or your favorite spice rub. Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat until hot (but not smoking). Place the salmon seasoned side down in the pan and sear until a crust forms. Don’t mess with it. Leave it alone while the crust is building.
Salmon can be seared to the golden crust stage or take it darker, almost like blackened salmon. It’s up to you. The longer it sears, the faster it will be done after turning.
After searing, turn the salmon and cover with a lid. Turn heat to low and allow the salmon to cook another few minutes until it is done. Timing will depend on the thickness of your fillets. It doesn’t take long. If you have a digital thermometer, cook to 135° – 145°. Don’t overcook it.
Sweepstakes!
What appliances would you like to have in your kitchen to help you achieve an easy and healthy weeknight dinner? Let me know in the comments below for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card! Sweepstakes Rules: No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
- Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
- Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
- Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
- For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected. The Official Rules are available here. This sweepstakes runs from 3/17/2014-4/13/2014. Be sure to visit the Sub-Zero and Wolf brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!
NOTE – THIS SWEEPSTAKES IS NOW CLOSED
Simple Seared Salmon
Ingredients
- 12 ounces salmon fillet, skinned
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon granulated garlic not garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon olive or coconut oil
- Sauce or topping of choice optional
Instructions
- For how to skin salmon fillets see this post. Trim any dark purple area on the skinned side.
- Season top side of skinned salmon with sea salt, ground black pepper and granulated garlic.
- In a medium size non-stick pan heat oil over medium heat. When the oil is hot (but not smoking), place salmon seasoned side down into the pan. Allow salmon to sear until a browned crust is formed. You can go for a light golden crust or almost to blackened.
- Turn the salmon over, cover with a lid and turn heat down to low. Salmon fillets will finish cooking in a couple of minutes. Timing will depend on the thickness of your fillets and how long you seared them. Cook to 135° – 145°. Serve alone or with a sauce of your choice.
I am so longing to upgrade my stove. I love the Wolf 36″ Professional Gas Cooktop.
Great job. This looks so delicious.
I posted a tweet too: https://twitter.com/AnnaZed/status/445582572785913856
I would love to have a gas range
Looks delicious!
I would love to have a gas range.
Thank you for the giveaway!
I’d love a new gas oven! Funny, I just had salmon for lunch.
tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/445666287453097984
I would like to have a toaster oven!
https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/445690443460648960
I would like an indoor grill for preparing healthy meals.
tweet
https://twitter.com/Kellydinpa/status/445741399506292737
I need a new frig desperately!!!!! That Sub Zero sounds awesome!
I tweeted the message: https://twitter.com/cowladydeland/status/445749915881603072
I’d love to have a side by side fridge for more room!
chambanachik(at)gmail(dot)com
The appliance that I would like in my kitchen to achieve a healthy week night dinner is the Wolf duel fuel range.
My oven for sure! We just got a “new oven after not having one for 2 months
https://twitter.com/618mom23boys/status/445781724111200257
I could use a new stove/oven and refrigerator. Mine still work fine but the stove is from 1979 and the fridge is from 1994 so neither are very efficient.
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/orchidlady01/status/445813190597701632
I’d really like to have a nice stand mixer.
I would love to own an indoor tabletop grill, a rice cooker and a ‘dry’ fryer so that I can make healthier meals for my family.
Tweeted
https://twitter.com/mummytotwoboys1/status/445928771023941632
I know having a indoor grill in the kitchen would help me achieve an easy and healthy weeknight dinner! Your salmon looks so good!
amy [at] utry [dot] it
tweeted:
https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/446018075276500992
amy [at] utry [dot] it
A convection oven.
Would love to have a food processor for using fresh herbs and/or a fancy blender for making fresh smoothies.
I’d love a gas stove!
I would like to have a gas range/ convection oven; my current rage and oven are old and most of what I bake or cook is not quite right because of it.
tweet https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/446676087456559104
I need everything. I need a food processor, new non stick frying pans, a bigger microwave, and a good blender! I also would love to own one of the new Pressure Cookers!
Tweet
https://twitter.com/KGlatt/status/446740914237501440
A great chef’s knife! I need one!
I’d like a new gas stove and stand mixer.
I would love an Air Fryer to prepare healthier version of fries and chicken for kids.
https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/446837202337529856
I’d love a gas range, so much faster!
https://twitter.com/channynn/status/446988738413867008
I would love to have a real convection oven for baking!
I’d like a new gas stove and stand mixer.
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/447187170130804736
i’d like a new oven
I posted a tweet;
https://twitter.com/bellows22/status/447193184129384448
https://twitter.com/OneFrugalGirl/status/447363028506652673
I’d love a gas range.
I’d love a new food processor to cut veggies for soups
nannypanpan@gmail.com
I would like to have a stand mixer.
A food processor would help out a lot! Thanks!
Tweet!
https://twitter.com/ScoomerBlog/status/448686163511877632
I would love an immersion blender. Love my Cuisinart stand blender, but I sure could use a portable one! Thanks for the chance to win.
A stand mixer would be wonderful.
Thanks so much.
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/peg42/status/449507395647975425
Thanks again.
I’d love a nice mixer! I’ve been eyeing those Kitchenaid mixers with all their pretty colors and awesome attachments. That would be awesome 🙂
Tweeted 🙂 – https://twitter.com/Enter_Now/status/449517776755888129
I would love a Pampered Chef chopper. My mom had one growing up and they are the best! I can’t stand the one I have now.
I need a food processor and I would also love to have a wok.
I could really use a toaster oven (convection oven) because I live alone and would love to make small meals without having to heat up my large oven.
I could use a new refrigerator and a nice stand mixer.
lazybones344 at gmail dot com
I love to make French Onion soup from scratch. Friends tell me they buy it frozen but I’m not going that route!
A new oven.
austma7@aol.com
An indoor grill would be great, as would a new convection oven.
I nice range with a grill would help me grill fish and chicken for quick healthy meals.
Tweet
https://twitter.com/clc408/status/449614264894885889
I’d like to have a panini maker.
I’d love to have a pasta machine in my kitchen!
I would love a new oven with dual temperature zones.
I’d like a new oven/broiler and a grill to make healthy meals
I’d like a top of the line Wolf oven in my kitchen.
I could use a new panini press for Italian style sandwiches.
Hope to win!
I would like a stand mixer
I’d love to have a La Spaziale Vivaldi II Espresso Machine. 🙂
I’d love to have a double oven.
I would love to have a nicer stove and fridge
The appliance I would like to have in my kitchen for an easy and healthy weeknight dinner would be the 2 Tier Microwave Steamer.
I would love a convection oven so I could prepare meals faster on days when I have to work late.
An Induction Burner and a great set of stainless steel prep bowls are what’s needed! olivia41393@yahoo.com
i want a kitchen mixer
https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/450090875251470338
i would love to have a new oven and a stand mixer
i posted a tweet:
https://twitter.com/bellows22/status/450106352367452160
I would love to have a new stand mixer!
https://twitter.com/ardy22/status/450147529221345280
I’d like to have a steam and a George Foreman grill in my kitchen – thank you.
Tweet https://twitter.com/JalapenoMama/status/450330060419911680
I really need a new oven/stove top and I need a new refrigerator as well!
I’d love to have a new gas stove.
https://twitter.com/rusthawk/status/450812379933065217
i would love a dishwasher…and a range….and a fridge….etc.
https://twitter.com/raggammuffin/status/451009255110606848
I would love a grill pan.
I could use a mixer. Something to ease my laziness
I’ve been wanting to get a really good blender.
I would like to have a juicer so I could drink my dinner once in a while.
A kitchenaid mixer in purple would be what I want.
https://twitter.com/kj20082006/status/451596731658944512
I would love a double oven.
https://twitter.com/smilekisses/status/451638955708911616
I’d absolutely love a double oven. That way I could be baking a healthy loaf of homemade wheat bread, while I’m cooking this healthy dinner! Yum!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
Tweet: https://twitter.com/coriwestphal/status/451833266354409472
coriwestphal at msn dot com
i would love to have a gas range dual double stove built into the wall.. a DREAM! 🙂
tweet
https://twitter.com/MeandBells/status/452107300639997953
I would love a nice mixer. a kitchen aid would be great!
tweet
https://twitter.com/1amypugmire/status/452455234543943680
A new oven would be great
a new oven would help
https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/452540512583430144
I would like a new gas’s stove .
I would LOVE a convection oven !!
I would like a new side by side freezer / fridge. If I had a bigger freezer than I could use it to make a lot of things from scratch and have them ready for making healthier dinners. I would love to have it especially for vegetables from my garden.
i wouldlove a vitamix
I would like to have a side by side refrigerator, a gas range and an indoor grill . it would also be nice to have a good working blender.
my tweet https://twitter.com/neiddy_ruiz/status/453415301011365888
tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/453674519660490752
A greaseless fryer would be a great asset.
I would like a double door oven.
I would love to have a French door Fridge
dishwasher would be nice
I hear a gas stove would make a difference in cooking.
I want a convection oven.
I would like a professional grade juicer.
I would love to have appliances by Wolf/SubZero. A friend of mine has them and they are great.
i tweeted
https://twitter.com/leedhowell/status/454343297147076608
I would love to have a double oven because I often run into the situation where I have a main course and side dish that need to be baked but at different temperatures.
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/Bookloon/status/454349739757015040
Double ovens would be great.
I need a new oven. Mine is probably 20+ years old 🙁
a countertop convection oven for small meals or appetizers, without having to heat up the entire kitchen
All of my appliances need to be replaced! I would love to have a new oven/range and a heavy duty mixer.
Link to tweet:
https://twitter.com/catholicfanatic/status/454824891154329600
I’d like a nice mandoline slicer. I buy a great deal of fresh veggies. A mandoline would help me slice them fast and easy so I can get dinner cooking.
My oven.
I need a decent oven that heats evenly – and doesn’t burn or not get hot enough whenever it feels like it. It would also be nice to have a food processor to make things easier to make.
The appliance I’d love to make a simple dinner is simply my stove. We love baked Salmon, we have it once a week. I’m not sure how we’d do with grilling it.
The one appliance that I really want in my kitchen is a convection oven.
I would love to have a Wolf gas range to help me make my week night dinners easier.
maybe a george forman grill
chevybelair1@juno.com
I’d love a sub zero fridge & professional range.
https://twitter.com/dddiva/status/455085790809161729
I would love the 48″ Sealed Burner Rangetop that looks really awesome 🙂
https://twitter.com/klp1965/status/455086155755581440
A new 2 door refrigerator – with 1 shelf bottom freezer and – Hobart 15 gal bread machine/mixer
I would love to have a gas cooktop and oven 🙂
a toaster/oven
I would love an indoor grill.
I would like to have a double oven.
A new Wolf oven
I would love a juicer for healthier eating
I would love an indoor grill. It would be great for preparing my family’s favorite fajitas.
tweeted
https://twitter.com/eswright18/status/455127823661793280
I would love to have an indoor grill/range. To be able to grill year round would be great.
I would like to have a nice new oven.
My fiance would love to have a new stove with a double oven.
https://twitter.com/SkyShyskyk/status/455137883926437888
I would love to have an indoor grill. I just love the taste of grilled food and can’t have it in the cold months
elizzzzzabeth at yahoo dot com
I tweeted! https://twitter.com/Ladies_Lounge1/status/455147543601496064
elizzzzzabeth at yahoo dot com
I need a duel stainless steel oven.
http://twitter.com/ccboobooy/status/455158081563787264
I would love to have a new gas range
I would love a gas range or a Kitchenaid Mixer!
A new oven and a new fridge :o)
https://twitter.com/lisagee1234/status/455236572124688384
I want a new dish washer to replace the one that’s 25 years old so I can clean up after cooking.
Thanks for the contest.
https://twitter.com/slehan/status/455247699487371264
A double oven would make cooking easier for me
a mixer.
I would love a range with a double oven and a grill top
I tweeted https://twitter.com/2BeFitBy50/status/455322676564086785
We have absolute no counter space so we would love a microwave that would go off the counter. Thank you
I would love to have a new oven to help me out.
https://twitter.com/aes529/status/455374044356182016
I would like to have an indoor grill.
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/455381241445892096
A pasta pot would be great!!
I would love to have a convection oven and a gas cooktop.
Tweet – https://twitter.com/willitara/status/455391399840477184
I would like to have a new fridge, indoor grill and food processor.
I would definitely like a new stove. Mine is outdated and smalll.
I would like a new toaster oven to achieve quick and healthy meals. Our old toaster is about to bite the dust. When there are only two of us here we like to use the toaster oven to save energy into of using the main oven for small portions and meals. We often cook chicken breasts and pork chops in the toaster oven.
Tweeted the giveaway here -> https://twitter.com/DarkMysticNight/status/455459312975237120
i would love to get a kitchenaid mixer for my kitchen.
A gas stove would be awesome
https://twitter.com/usnamom2014/status/455477096463470592
https://twitter.com/usnamom2014/status/455479219569823745
I would love a stainless steel double range oven
https://twitter.com/disneyfan40/status/455490414728855553
I really need some containers that I can use to premake meals. I think most of my problem is because I go to the fridge and don’t see anything so I just order out. More containers give me the ability to save more food and create ahead of time!