One of the most popular types of fish is salmon, which has a tender texture, a wide range of flavors, and many health benefits. Even though salmon skin can get nice and crispy when cooked, you may want to cook salmon fillets without the skin instead sometimes.
If you cook salmon without the skin, it won’t have the strong fishy flavors that the skin can sometimes add. That way, you can get only soft, flaky salmon meat without any tough skin or tiny bones. Plus, skinless fillets have fewer calories since the fattiest part is removed.
The key to cooking moist, flavorful skinless salmon is to choose the right techniques and recipes based on how you want to serve the fish. Here are some of the top methods for making delicious skinless salmon along with tips to avoid overcooking.
Choosing High Quality Skinless Salmon Fillets
For the best results when cooking skinless salmon. start by selecting fresh high quality fillets
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Look for fillets that are bright pink/orange and firm with no dull or brown spots. Avoid any with a strong fishy smell
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Ensure the salmon has been properly filleted without much flesh left on the removed skin.
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Pick uniform sized fillets for even cooking. Aim for 6 ounces each.
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Fillets with the skin on are okay too as long as the skin can be easily removed after cooking.
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Wild caught salmon offers more omega-3s than farm-raised varieties.
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Frozen skinless salmon works well too as long as it’s thawed gently in the fridge overnight before cooking.
Seasoning Skinless Salmon Fillets
Salmon fillets without skin need more seasoning because the skin doesn’t add as much flavor. Consider rubbing the flesh with:
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Lemon or lime juice – enhances the flavor and moisture
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Fresh herbs like dill, parsley, basil, oregano, chives
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Spices like garlic powder, paprika, cumin, chili powder
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Soy sauce, teriyaki, or other salty marinades
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A drizzle of olive oil or melted butter
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Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Let the seasoned fillets sit 5-10 minutes for flavors to penetrate before cooking.
How to Bake Skinless Salmon
Baking is a simple hands-off way to cook salmon without overdoing it. To bake skinless fillets:
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Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
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Brush fillets all over with oil and season as desired.
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Place on the baking sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes until just opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
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Check thickness – thicker fillets may need 2-3 extra minutes. Don’t overbake.
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Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Pan Searing Perfectly Cooked Skinless Salmon
Searing in a hot skillet makes the salmon fillets caramelize on the outside while keeping the inside tender and moist.
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Pat fillets dry and season all over.
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Use a nonstick skillet over medium high heat with a little oil.
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When hot, add fillets and cook 4 minutes on one side until browned.
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Flip carefully and cook just until opaque in center, about 2 minutes more.
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Baste with a flavored butter or oil for extra flavor.
How to Grill Juicy Skinless Salmon Fillets
Grilling salmon adds nice charred flavors. Follow these tips:
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Oil the grill grates well so fillets don’t stick. Heat grill to medium high.
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Season fillets as desired. Place directly on oiled grates flesh side down.
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Grill 4 minutes then gently flip and grill just until cooked through, about 2-3 minutes more.
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Brush with olive oil or sauce glaze during last minute if desired.
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Take care not to overcook and dry out the delicate flesh when grilling.
Easy Foil Baked Skinless Salmon
For mess-free salmon, bake in foil packets.
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Place seasoned fillets on large foil sheets. Top with sliced lemons or limes.
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Tightly seal packets and place directly on oven rack.
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Bake at 425°F 15-18 minutes until salmon is opaque throughout.
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The packets help gently steam and flavor the fish.
Make Delicious Salmon Meals
Once you get the basics down, you can use skinless salmon in all kinds of delicious dishes:
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Layer in lettuce wraps, sandwiches, pitas, or tacos
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Toss with pasta, rice, or roasted veggies
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Top salads, pizza, nachos, or potatoes
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Use in chowders, soups, frittatas, and casseroles
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Serve with creamy dill, herb garlic, or lemon pepper aioli
With so many quick and easy ways to cook moist, flaky skinless salmon fillets, you can enjoy this lean, nutrient-rich fish any night of the week. Experiment with different seasonings and cooking techniques to keep your salmon meals exciting and delicious.
Crispy Pan Seared Salmon with a Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce is a deliciously easy salmon recipe ready in minutes!
The outside of pan-seared salmon is very crispy, but the inside is soft, tender, and flaky. They are served with a smooth, flavorful butter sauce. Our family favourite low carb salmon recipe is now yours!.
One of our favorite ways to eat salmon is by searing it in a hot pan. I make this recipe for my family all the time.
Minimal ingredients and maximum taste, while allowing the flavour of salmon to shine through and taste absolutely delicious. You really can’t go wrong with this recipe. It comes together fast, making it perfect for any night of the week.
How To Sear Salmon
Dry room temperature salmon filets with paper towel. Season all over with salt and pepper. Squeeze lemon juice over each fillet. Heat oil in a large non-stick pan or skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Sear the salmon with the flesh side down, making sure that the whole surface of the meat touches the pan. Do this for a few seconds on each side until the salmon is golden and crispy. Flip and sear the other side until the outside is crispy. Add in the butter, garlic, parsley and lemon juice, stirring the melting butter around each fillet. (The butter will begin to brown slightly. ).
- Getting a good nonstick pan will save you a lot of stress and tears of frustration because salmon will not stick to a pan that hasn’t been seasoned.
- If you don’t want to use butter, you can use 2 tablespoons of olive oil instead.
- For a gourmet touch, add a splash of white wine as well. I usually add 3–4 tablespoons.
- Fresh parsley is the only way to go with this. Dried parsley isn’t great for cooking or decorating.
It only takes 15 minutes to make this pan-seared salmon recipe that tastes like it came from a restaurant. The salmon is perfectly cooked, crispy, and flaky, and the lemon garlic sauce is smooth and buttery.
How to pan fry Salmon Fillet without skin
FAQ
Is salmon better cooked with or without skin?
How do you know when skinless salmon is done?