Name: Pan Seared Salmon With Strawberry Relish
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients: 3/4 to 1 pound center-cut fresh salmon with skin ((center-cut is easier to cut uniform fillets that cook evenly)); 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1 cup (4-5oz) finely chopped fresh strawberries; 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh shallot or red onion; 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil; 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

These pan seared salmon fillets have a nice charred crust and are extremely tender on the inside — silken, moist flesh that flakes off easily. They’re topped with a simple and refreshing strawberry relish. Great for keto, low carb, and paleo diets.

pan seared salmon fillet topped with strawberry relish

An Easy Weeknight Dinner

Pan seared salmon is a crowd-pleasing dinner that you can quickly whip up on a weeknight. Here’s why:

Few ingredients. All that’s required is 3 ingredients: salmon, salt, and pepper. You don’t even need any cooking oil. The strawberry relish is optional, and adds anther 4 ingredients.
One pan. You won’t need to spend a lot of time cleaning up the dishes because only a single pan is needed for the job.
Fast. It takes about 20 minutes to prep and 15 minutes to cook the salmon.

two raw center cut salmon fillets on a cutting board

Techniques for Pan Searing Salmon

I use some of the techniques taught by America’s Test Kitchen for cooking perfect salmon. The pan is sprinkled with salt and pepper, which will elevate the fillets to prevent them from sticking to the pan. The fillets go on the pan while it’s cold, cooking them more gently and evenly.

The salmon skins play more than one role. First, they produce some fat while cooking, so no oil is required. Second, they protect the flesh from drying out while it cooks. You can easily separate the skin after they’re cooked; the flesh is so tender that it’ll slide right off the skin with almost no effort.

mixing a low carb strawberry relish in a bowl

How Long To Cook Salmon

I use fillets that weigh 6 to 8 ounces each, and it takes 6 to 8 minutes per side until they’re done. When cooking the first side, the clock starts ticking when the heat is turned on and not when the pan is fully heated.

Your cooking time will depend on the weight and thickness of your fillets. I recommend using a probe thermometer to determine when they’re done (125 F in the thickest part), which will ensure perfectly cooked salmon. The benefit of using a probe thermometer, which stays inserted in the salmon during cooking, is that it will beep when the set temperature has been reached. An instant-read thermometer is less convenient but will also work well.

newly seared keto salmon fillets on a plate

Serving Ideas

Salmon pairs well with almost any appetizer or side dish, such as fresh leafy greens or cooked vegetables like roasted mushrooms, creamed spinach, and artichokes.

You can also use the pan seared salmon in a salad. Cut it in 1 to 2 inch chunks, removing the skin, and top it in a salad to add some delicious protein.