Pan-Seared Salmon Crispy Capers Lemon Butter
Pan-Seared Salmon Crispy Capers Lemon Butter: skin-on salmon fillets cooked most of the way on the skin side in a seasoned 12-inch cast-iron skillet so the skin stays crisp, finished with browned lemon butter, fried capers, and fresh dill.
By OnMyKitchen · 15 mins total (5 mins prep · 10 mins cook) · Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients (2 Servings)
Suggested Cookware
- Lodge 12-Inch Seasoned Cast-Iron Skillet: Even, heavy base that stays hot when chilled fillets hit the pan
- Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8-Inch Chef’s Knife: Sharp edge for scoring fish skin without tearing the flesh
Estimated per serving: 540 kcal · 44g protein · 3g carbs · 38g fat
Method (15 Mins Total)
1. Blot the Skin Bone-Dry & Score Lightly
Pat the salmon fillets thoroughly dry on both sides with paper towels. Make two shallow 1/8-inch slashes across the skin so it does not curl, and season with kosher salt right before searing.
2. Sear Skin-Side Down for 6 Minutes (Most of the Cook Time)
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Lay the salmon skin-side down and press firmly with a spatula for 15 seconds. Lower the heat to medium and cook undisturbed for about 6 minutes, until the opaque cook line climbs three-quarters up the side.
Tip: Dry the capers on a paper towel before dropping them into hot butter so they crisp instead of splattering.
3. Flip & Baste with Browned Caper-Lemon Butter for 90 Seconds
Flip the fillets flesh-side down and add the butter, dried capers, and lemon halves cut-side down. Spoon the foaming browned butter over the salmon for 90 seconds, squeeze the charred lemon over the pan, scatter with fresh dill, and serve immediately.
Cooking Tips
- Pat the fillets very dry. Dry skin crisps, and wet skin steams.
- Fish skin tends to curl when it hits a hot pan. Score it lightly and press the fillet flat with a spatula for the first 15 seconds.
- Cook most of the time on the skin side and flip only briefly, so the skin does not soften.
- Pat the capers dry before they go into hot butter, so they crisp instead of splattering.
Variations
Shorten the skin-side sear from 6 minutes to about 4. Pull the fish around 120°F for medium-rare, or cook to 145°F, the USDA recommended temperature.
Use 2 tablespoons of coarsely chopped green olives or 1 tablespoon of diced shallots.
This recipe is compiled from standard cooking technique and has not been lab-tested by OnMyKitchen. Nutrition figures are estimates.
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