Creating restaurant-style dishes like my pan-seared seasoned salmon in your own kitchen is easier than you think. Add in my mango salsa and you’ve got a meal to remember!
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I love salmon and as a chef, I’m always looking for new ways to serve salmon and seasonings play a major role in the delicious recipes I come up with. And that my friends is how I came up with this delicious dish!
What ingredients do I need to make Pan Seared Seasoned Salmon?
Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make my Pan Seared Seasoned Salmon. In Chef Speak this is called the “Mise en Place” which translates to “Everything in its Place”.
Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed up the cooking process, but it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.
Can I use other seasonings on the salmon?
You sure can. Make up a custom blend using seasonings that you and your family enjoy. You can also use ready-made seasoning blends instead of creating one.
How do I make Pan Seared Seasoned Salmon?
Start by mixing the spices with panko bread crumbs and placing them on a plate.
Do I have to use breadcrumbs in my seasoning mix?
No, you don’t. You can simply create a rub made up of your favorite seasonings or blends. You can also use flour instead of breadcrumbs.
Flour and breadcrumbs will add another dimension to the crust you’re creating on the salmon. *Gluten-Free flours and breadcrumbs can also be used.
Place the salmon down in the seasoning blend, making sure to fully coat the non-skin side of the salmon fillets. If the fillets aren’t fully coated when you turn them over, use the seasoning that didn’t attach to the fillets to fill in the spots, pressing it down into the salmon.
Heat a saute pan over high heat, then (carefully) add 1-2 teaspoons of vegetable oil to the pan. Turn the heat down to medium-high and place the coated salmon fillets seasoned side down in the pan.
The trick is to get the pan hot enough to sear the salmon, but then turning it down so the seasoning doesn’t burn. This process should take 3-4 minutes. If it looks like the seasoning is burning, turn it over sooner.
Once you’ve seared the salmon on the seasoned side, continue cooking the skin side down for an additional 5-7 minutes over medium heat. If you prefer a less cooked salmon, you can cut down that cooking time.
**After searing the seasoned side, you can also finish the salmon in a 350-degree oven, giving it 8-10 minutes to finish cooking. This is a good method if you’re entertaining or just want to prep this meal in advance. Just pop it in the oven to finish.
How do I make a Mango Salsa?
Making mango salsa or any kind of fruit salsa is really easy. Chop up the mango and in this salsa I used pineapple. You can use peaches, nectarines, watermelon, cantaloupe, or any other type of melon to make a fruit salsa.
You can even use blueberries or strawberries. Although berry salsa doesn’t hold up as well.
The only other staple ingredients you need to make a fruit salsa are red onions, lime juice and cilantro.
While we are making salsa, be sure to try out my Mexican salsa verde recipe it is amazing.
Serve the pan-seared crusted seasoned salmon on a bed of rice (or your favorite grain) with the mango salsa and lime wedge. Now that’s one delicious restaurant-style dinner and it can be on your table in less than 30 minutes.
Can I grill seasoned salmon?
Yes, you can, just make sure that the grill is clean and use a pan spray on the grates, so it doesn’t stick.
Can I cook seasoned salmon in the oven?
You sure can. Just brush the salmon with vegetable oil before placing it in the seasoning mixture. This will help the coating crisp up a bit.
Can I make seasoned salmon in an air fryer?
Yes, you can. Prepare the salmon as you would for oven cooking, brushing the fillet with oil before placing it in the seasoning mixture. Then place the salmon skin side down in the basket of your air fryer. Turn the air fryer to 400 degrees and cook for 9-10 minutes.
More Salmon Recipes You’ll Love!
Pan Seared Seasoned Salmon
Ingredients
Seasoned Salmon
- 2 salmon fillets 6-7 ounces each
- 2 tablespoon panko breadcrumbs or your favorite bread crumb
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon granulated garlic
- ½ teaspoon granulated onion
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Mango Salsa
- ½ cup mango small dice
- ½ cup pineapple small dice
- ¼ cup red onion small dice
- 1 tablespoon cilantro finely chopped
- juice from half a lime
Instructions
Seasoned Salmon
- blend the seasonings and breadcrumbs together. Place the prepared seasoning mix on a plate
- Place the salmon in the seasoning blend, making sure to fully coat the non-skin side of the salmon fillets. If the fillets aren't fully coated when you turn them over, use the seasoning that didn't stick to the fillets to fill in the spots, pressing it down into the salmon.
- Heat a saute pan over high heat, then (carefully) add 1-2 teaspoons of vegetable oil to the pan. Turn the heat down to medium-high and place the coated salmon fillets seasoned side down in the pan.
- Once you've seared the salmon on the seasoned side, continue cooking the skin side down for an additional 5-7 minutes over medium heat. If you prefer a less cooked salmon, you can cut down that cooking time.
Mango Salsa
- Cut the mango, pineapple and red onion into a small dice.
- finely chop the cilantro.
- mix everything together in a small bowl with the juice from one half a lime. The salsa can be stored for up to 24 hours. It will start to get soft right away so the sooner it's used the better
- Serve the seasoned salmon on a bed of rice or your favorite grain with the mango salsa and enjoy!
Terri Miller says
New to using mango. Can frozen mango be used? This sounds delicious.
Chef Dennis Littley says
Yes, frozen mango will work with salsa.
Jen says
the pan seared salmon was truly a delight! The seasoning brought the flavours out in the fish and the mango salsa added a sweet twist. Definitely making this one again!
Enriqueta E Lemoine says
The mix of the spices is simply superior. The addition of the mango salsa takes this salmon to the next level!
Melanie says
I made this last night and it was so delicious I had to circle back to share my thoughts. It was perfection and you were right on the money with the seasoning blend, even my kids loved it and they’re not big salmon fans! Great recipe, thanks for sharing!
EA Stewart says
I’m always looking for new salmon recipes too-this is so delicious! I love the different cooking methods as well. And, options to use different spices. This will be on repeat at my house a lot this summer!
Amanda Dixon says
This salmon turned out fabulous! The spice crust gave it such a nice flavor and texture, and the mango salsa is an absolute must — the perfect finishing touch!
Beth says
I love fish with fruit salsas like this bright seasoned salmon. And you are so right about how important it is to use fresh spices, I always look for Spice Hunter when I need something fresh.
Marisa F Stewart says
We eat salmon often and I love finding different herbs and spices to enhance its wonderful taste. I like how you used a fruit salsa to finish the dish. I usually use a grape tomato salsa but this one will be a delicious switch. Thank you for the inspiration.
Farrukh Aziz says
I love pan-seared salmon, and this does go really well with mango salsa! And it has a great flavor, making it the best salmon recipe!
Sharon says
This salmon has so much flavor! Trust me, you will not get bored with this delicious recipe.