Pan-Seared Salmon
Our pan-seared salmon is first brined to season it and to keep it moist as it cooks. It is then placed in a cold, dry nonstick skillet skin side down over medium-high heat. The skin protects the fish from drying out while cooking and is easily peeled off and discarded once the fish is cooked. The skin also releases fat into the pan, which is then used to sear the second side until it is golden brown and crisp.
NOTE FROM THE TEST KITCHEN: To ensure uniform cooking, buy a 1 1/2- to 2-pound center-cut salmon fillet and cut it into four pieces. Using skin-on salmon is important here, as we rely on the fat underneath the skin as the cooking medium (as opposed to adding extra oil). If using wild salmon, cook it until it registers 120 degrees. If you don’t want to serve the fish with the skin, we recommend peeling it off the fish after it is cooked. Serve with lemon wedges or Mango-Mint Salsa (see below).
Combining sweet mango, tart lime juice, and spicy minced jalapeño, this easy-to-make salsa is a perfect foil to rich fish like salmon.
Kosher salt and pepper
4 (6- to 8-ounce) skin-on salmon fillets
Lemon wedges
Mango-Mint Salsa
1 mango, peeled, pitted, and cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1 shallot, minced
3 tablespoons juice from 2 limes
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
1 jalapeño chile, stemmed, seeds reserved, and minced
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
½ teaspoon salt
1. Dissolve 1/2 cup salt in 2 quarts water in large container. Submerge salmon in brine and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. Remove salmon from brine and pat dry with paper towels.
2. Sprinkle bottom of 12-inch nonstick skillet evenly with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Place fillets, skin side down, in skillet and sprinkle tops of fillets with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Heat skillet over medium-high heat and cook fillets without moving them until fat begins to render, skin begins to brown, and bottom 1/4 inch of fillets turns opaque, 6 to 8 minutes.
3. Using tongs, flip fillets and continue to cook without moving them until centers are still translucent when checked with tip of paring knife and register 125 degrees, 6 to 8 minutes longer. Transfer fillets skin side down to serving platter and let rest for 5 minutes before serving with lemon wedges.
4. Combine all ingredients of the Mango-Mint Salsa in bowl. Scoop the Salsa on top of the salmon.
None Available.