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    Home ยป Recipes ยป Main Dishes ยป Pan Seared Salmon with Capers and Lemon

    LAST UPDATED: September 25, 2020 โ€ข FIRST PUBLISHED: August 7, 2018 By Toni Dash 54 Comments

    Pan Seared Salmon with Capers and Lemon

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    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Pan Seared Salmon with Lemon and Capers collage

    Pan Seared Salmon with Capers and Lemon takes four ingredients and 15 minutes, total! Perfectly cooked salmon fast enough for weeknights, great for entertaining!

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    Pan Seared Salmon with Capers and Lemon in a pan and on a black plate

    Originally published in October 2016; updated August 2018.

    Some recipes are so easy and simple it doesn’t feel right to call them a ‘recipe’. Pan Seared Salmon with Capers and Lemon is one of those.

    Can you call something with four ingredients that takes only 15 minutes a recipe? Whatever you call it, you’ll want this in your fast easy recipe collection for weeknights, entertaining or when you feel like something that feels fancy but doesn’t any time to make.

    Salmon is one of my favorite fish and one that is so easy to cook. During the summer Charred Cedar Plank Salmon with Lemon and Dill recipe is on high rotation on my grill. I also love Salmon Tostadas which I picked up when visiting the famous El Tovar restaurant at the Grand Canyon.

    Pan Seared Salmon with capers and lemon in skillet

    Pan Seared Salmon – An Easy 15-Minute Recipe

    On a regular night however I need something fast and fabulous. Pan Seared Salmon with Capers and Lemon is that recipe. The salmon cooks for a total of 8 minutes!

    The most difficult part of the recipe is slicing lemons for garnish. Not too taxing, right?

    What is Pan Seared?

    Pan searing is a method of cooking over high heat which seals the juices and forms a slight crust on the food. It’s a fast and delicious way to cook salmon.

    I love to serve the pan seared salmon atop greens dressed with a simple oil and vinegar dressing but any side dish will do (some freshly steamed haricot vert would be great).

    What Pan is Used for Pan Seared Salmon?

    A heavy skillet is all that is needed for stove top pan searing. The pan I used in the photos is a fish pan from All-Clad, the d3 Armor Fish Pan. . The recipe can be made with any heavy skillet.

    Pan Seared Salmon with Lemon and Capers on black plate with salad

    What are Capers?

    By looking at them you’d never have an idea of what they might be or how they taste!

    Capers are the unopened flower bud of a specific Mediterranean plant. They are typically pickled or salted which is how you’ll find them, in a jar, at the grocery store.

    What do Capers Taste Like?

    Capers have a unique flavor all their own. Tangy, salty, almost sharp some would say. For a little ingredient they pack a big and distinct flavor!

    They are well known in recipes like Veal Piccata. Their tangy flavor pairs well with the acidity in lemon for a rich, fatty fish like salmon.

    How to make Pan Seared Salmon with Capers and Lemon – Step by Step:

    This recipe is a perfect example of quality ingredients combined making a fantastic dish (and not needing sauces or condiments). A heavy skillet is heated for 2-3 minutes, oil is added and the salmon is placed flesh down into the pan.

    salmon filets cooking in a silver skillet

    The salmon is cooked for 3 minutes, turned over, and cooked 5 minutes with the skin down; until it is opaque and flakey.

    Pan Seared Salmon with Lemon and Capers

    The salmon is removed, butter, capers and lemon are added to the pan, cooked briefly and drizzled over the salmon!

    Pan Seared Salmon with capers and salad on a black plate

    This recipe and other similar easy recipes can be found in our Easy Dinner Recipes collection.

    More Easy Delicious Fish Recipes:

    • Lime and Chili Fish Tacos
    • Costa Rican Ceviche
    • Sheet Pan Maple-Mustard Salmon with Potatoes and Carrots

    If you’ve tried this Pan Seared Salmon recipe please RATE THE RECIPE below!

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    Recipe

    Pan Seared Salmon with capers and lemon

    Pan Seared Salmon with Capers and Lemon

    This easy pan-seared salmon recipe is ready in a flash and allows the flavor of the salmon to sing. The delicious sauce of butter, lemon and capers is the crowning glory of the 15 minute recipe!
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 354kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
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    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
    • 4 6-ounce Salmon Steaks
    • 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
    • Juice of 1 Lemon
    • 3 tablespoons Capers
    • Suggested garnish: lemon slices

    Instructions

    • Heat a heavy skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until hot. Increase heat to medium-high and add the olive oil.
    • When the surface of the oil is shimmering, place the salmon steaks flesh side down in the pan. Cook for 3 minutes. Turn salmon over and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the fish is opaque in color and flaky. Remove from pan and place on a serving platter or individual dining plates.
    • Reduce the heat to medium, add the butter, lemon juice and capers to the pan and cook, stirring constantly, until the butter has melted and the sauce has combined. Drizzle sauce over the salmon. Garnish with lemon slices and serve immediately.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 354kcal | Carbohydrates: 0g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 108mg | Sodium: 241mg | Potassium: 833mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 0g | Vitamin A: 245IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1.5mg
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mary Walsh says

      January 08, 2025 at 7:49 pm

      5 stars
      My husband and I loved this dish. Quick and easy with a lot of flavor.

      Reply
    2. Geanie says

      November 06, 2020 at 2:41 pm

      5 stars
      Very quick and tasty!

      Reply
      • Toni Dash says

        November 06, 2020 at 4:11 pm

        So glad you liked it Geanie!

        Reply
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    5 from 11 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Welcome! Iโ€™m Toni Dash. Iโ€™m a Certified Nutrition Coach and the professional writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavoreยฎ. Iโ€™m so glad you are here!

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