When it comes to a dish that’s easy to make, yet still looks impressive and elegant when plated, you really can’t beat a salmon fillet. Whether you’re preparing family dinner or trying to impress a special someone with a home cooked meal, a nicely cut salmon fillet will get the job done.
Salmon has plenty of health benefits – its high in protein, amino acids, and Omega 3 fatty acids. And aside from being good for you, it’s also pretty tasty. We’ve covered how to poach salmon before, along with a handy recipe for dinner. But if you’re looking for something a little more simple and traditional, a quick pan seared or baked salmon fillet could be the answer. Here’s what you need to know.
How to Cook Salmon Fillet in the Oven
Cooking salmon fillets in the oven is probably one of the easiest – and not to mention, most delicious – ways to cook salmon. It’s simple, requires very little prep, and only takes about 20 minutes. To start, preheat your oven to 425 degrees F.
Prep salmon fillets by blotting them dry with a napkin first. Then, drizzle each fillet lightly with enough olive oil to coat them evenly. Sprinkle salt and pepper on top. Once the oven is preheated, place the fillets in a roasting pan with the skin side of the fillet down. Place the pan in the middle rack of the oven.
Cook for about 8 – 10 minutes on each side. You’ll know its ready when it flakes with a fork. Once finished, take out of the oven, plate, and squeeze a few drops of fresh lemon juice on top of the fillets.
How to Cook Salmon Fillet on the Stovetop
Lightly coat the bottom of a fry pan with vegetable or olive oil and preheat over medium heat. Prep salmon fillets first by blotting them dry with a paper towel. Sprinkle fillets lightly with salt and pepper. Once the oil is hot, place the fillets in the pan skin side down and cook for approximately 4 minutes on each side. Pro tip: for the first few minutes of cooking, press down on the fillets with a spatula. This will help them stay flat and crisp the skin. Again, an easy way to tell if the fillet is done is to flake it with a fork, it will flake easily.
Once the fillets are finished, take them off the heat, plate them, and top with a spritz of lemon and dill (or whatever garnish you prefer – we like to keep things simple).
What’s your go-to method of cooking salmon fillets? Let us know in the comments!
