How to Cook Salmon Perfectly in a Cast Iron Skillet

Salmon is one of the most popular fish for home cooks. It’s delicious, nutritious and easy to prepare in so many ways. Searing salmon fillets in a hot cast iron skillet is one of my favorite ways to cook them.

When you cook salmon in cast iron, the outside gets a beautiful golden brown crust, but the inside stays soft and juicy. And it only takes about 10 minutes start to finish!.

In this article, I’ll explain everything you need to know about cooking salmon in cast iron including

Benefits of using cast iron
Step-by-step instructions
Helpful tips and tricks
Flavor additions
Serving suggestions
Storage instructions

Plus plenty of details to help you nail perfectly seared salmon every time. Let’s get started!.

Why Cook Salmon in Cast Iron?

Cast iron skillets have some major advantages when it comes to cooking salmon fillets:

Even heating Cast iron maintains and conducts heat very well, helping prevent cold spots that lead to uneven cooking
Great sear: The pan gets hotter than stainless steel, allowing you to develop a crispy, flavorful crust without overcooking the center.
Holds heat: Even after adding cold food, cast iron regains temperature quickly for consistent browning.
Oven-safe: You can start the salmon on the stovetop then transfer directly to the oven.
Natural nonstick: Well-seasoned cast iron develops a natural nonstick surface, preventing delicate fish from sticking.

For the best results, choose a heavy, pre-seasoned cast iron skillet. And make sure to heat it properly before adding the salmon.

Now let’s go over the simple process step-by-step.

How to Cook Salmon in Cast Iron Skillet

Follow these easy instructions for searing tender, flaky salmon fillets in a hot cast iron pan.

Ingredients:

Salmon fillets, about 1-inch thick
Olive oil or butter
Salt and pepper
Lemon wedges for serving (optional)

Instructions:

Pat salmon dry and brush both sides with oil. Drying prevents steaming.
Season flesh side with salt and pepper. Go light on thicker fillets so the seasoning doesn’t burn.
Heat cast iron skillet over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes. When hot, add oil and let it shimmer.
Carefully place fillets flesh-side down. Sear for 4 minutes until golden. Reduce heat if pan is smoking.
Flip and cook skin-side down until opaque in center, about 2-5 minutes more.
Rest salmon on plate for 5 minutes before serving with lemon wedges.

And that’s all it takes for restaurant-quality salmon ready in less than 15 minutes!

Next let’s go over some tips for crispy, flavorful cast iron salmon every time.

Helpful Tips and Tricks

Follow these tips to take your cast iron salmon game to the next level:

Dry fish well before cooking for optimal browning. Wet fish steams instead of searing.
Use medium-high heat so the pan is very hot but not smoking. Too low and salmon steams.
Preheat 3-5 minutes so pan is evenly hot. This prevents sticking and overcooking edges.
Don’t move fish once placed in pan. Twitching leads to torn flesh. Let it cook undisturbed.
Reduce heat if pan smokes or salmon browns too quickly. Regulate temperature as needed.
Check doneness before final flip. Salmon should release easily when ready to turn.
Let rest before cutting. Carryover cooking continues off heat.

With these handy tips, you’ll be pan-searing salmon like a seasoned pro!

Flavorful Additions

One benefit of stovetop salmon is how easy it is to infuse flavor. Try these tasty additions:

Compound butter – Top with chipotle lime or roasted garlic butter.
Fresh herbs – Sprinkle minced parsley, dill, basil or cilantro over fillets.
Spices and seasonings – Coat with Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper or smoked paprika before searing.
Citrus – Sear skin-side up with lemon, lime or orange slices.
Garlic – Sauté minced garlic in oil before adding salmon.
Wine or broth – Deglaze pan with white wine or chicken broth after removing salmon.

With just a small extra step, you can take seared salmon from basic to gourmet.

What to Serve with Cast Iron Salmon

Here are some stellar sides to serve with crispy cast iron salmon:

Rice pilaf or couscous
Quinoa or lentils
Roasted asparagus, Brussels sprouts or broccoli
Wilted spinach or kale
Wedge salad with creamy dressing
Roasted fingerling potatoes
Fresh dinner rolls or focaccia

A quick veggie side and some bread or rice rounds out the meal beautifully. Get creative with seasonal produce!

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Here are some tips for storing and reheating leftover cast iron salmon:

Let cool before refrigerating in a sealed container for up to 3 days.
Add any pan juices to keep fish moist.
Refrigerate baked fillets whole or flake salmon into chunks.
Reheat in microwave until warmed through, 1-2 minutes.
Use as topping for salad or fold into pasta, rice or risotto dishes.

With proper storage, leftovers will retain moisture and flavor for quick salmon meals all week long.

Key Takeaways

Pat salmon dry before seasoning and searing for crispy crust
Use medium-high heat and preheat pan before adding fish
Cook 4 minutes flesh-side down first, then flip and cook until opaque
Let rest 5 minutes before serving
Store leftovers with pan juices for moisture

Now that you’ve got the basics down, get ready to enjoy restaurant-quality salmon right from your own kitchen. Just heat up that cast iron skillet and unleash your inner salmon searing pro!

how to cook salmon in a cast iron skillet

Crispy Pan Seared Salmon | How to Sear Salmon in a Cast Iron Skillet

FAQ

Can you cook salmon on a cast iron skillet?

Lightly brush a cast iron skillet with oil, and place the seasoned salmon fillets, skin-side down, inside. Broil the salmon until the top is nicely browned, 3 to 6 minutes (depending on how your desired level of doneness).

Is it good to cook fish in a cast iron skillet?

If you’re looking for a new way to cook fish that’s both delicious and healthy, then cooking on a cast iron skillet should be your go-to method. Not only does it give the fish an amazing flavor, but it also has some great health benefits.

Does cast iron salmon taste good?

This restaurant-style cast iron salmon recipe highlights the natural flavor of salmon, resulting in perfectly flaky fish under a crispy well-seasoned crust. This simple but flavorful cast iron salmon is as good as our pan-seared salmon. It features seasoned salmon fillets cooked in a well-heated cast iron skillet with olive oil and butter.

How do you cook salmon in a cast iron skillet?

Here are only a few ingredients to cook juicy salmon in a cast iron skillet. Salmon. Skin-on fillets. Olive oil. To drizzle over the fillets before searing them. Butter. To sear the salmon and yield delicious drippings. Lemon. Sliced lemon to serve. Salt and pepper. To taste. Here’s how you cook the most delicious salmon in three easy steps.

How long does cast iron salmon take to cook?

This simple but flavorful cast iron salmon is as good as our pan-seared salmon. It features seasoned salmon fillets cooked in a well-heated cast iron skillet with olive oil and butter. Drizzled with pan juices and served with slices of lemon, these salmon fillets guarantee a delicious dinner that cooks in less than 10 minutes.

How long do you cook fish in a cast iron skillet?

Cover baking dish and set on the counter for 15 to 20 minutes. Heat oil in a large cast iron skillet over high heat until it just starts to smoke. Reduce heat to medium-high and add butter. As soon as butter melts, add fillets, skin-side down. Cover the skillet, and cook until fish flakes easily with a fork, 7 to 9 minutes, depending on thickness.