Oh boy oh boy oh boy. I am so excited about this post because it means I am sharing with you the MOST delicious, the easiest, and the most highly satisfying salmon recipe I’ve made yet!
Seared Salmon with Scallion Butter. It’s just as good as it sounds, and just as simple as it sounds as well. Because you only need THREE INGREDIENTS. Salmon, scallions (green onions), and butter.
And your basic olive oil, salt, and pepper, of course :-)
AND it only takes about 10 minutes to make! Have I convinced you yet? Good.
Salmon is extremely easy to cook, and it’s super healthy for you. We all know it’s full of good-for-you Omega-3s, but did you also know that in one serving (4 oz.), you receive 236% of your daily recommended vitamin B12 (essential for brain health) and 128% of your daily recommended vitamin D? So eat up, especially in the winter when deprived of sunlight! Amazing. It is truly one of the world’s healthiest foods.
So. Searing the salmon. Potentially one of the easiest things to do in the world, especially if you have a nonstick skillet
. This can also be done in a well-seasoned cast iron skillet
, but when it comes to cooking fish, I usually opt for the nonstick.
First, coat the salmon in a little olive oil, and plenty of salt and pepper. Heat up the skillet and place the salmon face down in the skillet (so, skin side up if it has skin). Allow it to sit for about 5 minutes, or until the sides of the salmon are starting to cook.
When you flip the salmon, it should be significantly seared. This is a super yummy crispy layer that is so delicious on the edges of each perfectly cooked bite. Mmmm. You’ll only have to cook the salmon for a couple more minutes on the other side, and you’ll know it’s cooked when it flakes easily apart with a fork. Try not to overcook the fish, otherwise it will be a bit dry.
So there you have it! Perfectly seared salmon. Now for the buttahhh. It’s so simple and so easy: just melt some butter and add some chopped scallions to it. That’s it! Allow it to sit for a minute or two to fully infuse the flavors. Yum.
A quick note about your choices for salmon and butter when you go to the store. First, I recommend buying wild caught salmon. Farm-raised salmon are often not fed the healthiest of diets and end up being less nutritious, or potentially containing chemicals or pesticides. Yuck! Second, I recommend buying salted butter for this from grass fed cows. I use Kerrygold for situations like this. Butter from grass fed cows has more healthy fats than other butters, and salted butter used in sauces like this makes it extra delicious!
Serve the salmon with the butter drizzled on top. And if you are making vegetables and/or rice on the side, go ahead and make extra and drizzle it on top of that as well (we had steamed asparagus and brown rice).
Try these other fast and easy salmon recipes!
- Garlic Butter Sheet Pan Salmon and Veggies
- 15-Minute Perfect Poached Salmon with Chive Butter
- Orange Glazed Salmon
- Salmon, Arugula, and Feta Frittata
- One-Pan Garlic Butter Salmon and Swiss Chard
- Chipotle Salmon Tacos with Cilantro Lime Crema
- Seared Salmon with Avocado, Lemon, and Garlic Aioli
- Garlic Poached Salmon with Creamy Lemon Caper Sauce
Recipe below. Enjoy!
Seared Salmon with Scallion Butter
Ingredients
- 1 lb. salmon portioned into four pieces (4 oz. each)
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- kosher salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 scallions thinly sliced
Instructions
- Season the salmon with plenty of salt and pepper.
- Heat up the olive oil (2 tablespoons) in a non-stick skillet and place the salmon skin side up in the skillet. Allow it to sit for about 5 minutes, or until the sides of the salmon are starting to cook.
- Flip the salmon and cook for a couple more minutes on the other side. You'lll know it's cooked when it flakes easily apart with a fork. Try not to overcook the fish, otherwise it will be a bit dry.
- Meanwhile, melt the 4 tablespoons salted butter (in the microwave or on the stovetop) and add the chopped scallions to it.
- Serve seared salmon drizzled with scallion butter.
Notes
- This recipe feeds four people. To make an individual serving, simply use 4 oz. salmon and 1 tablespoon butter per serving, with fewer scallions.
- The provided nutrition information does not include any added sodium from seasoning to taste, any optional ingredients, and it does not take brands into account. Feel free to calculate it yourself using this calculator or by adding the recipe to Yummly.
Nutrition
Nutrition Information Disclaimer
The provided nutrition information is my best estimate and reflects one serving of the recipe (total servings indicated at top of recipe card). It does not include any added sodium from seasoning to taste, any optional ingredients, and it does not take brands into account. I use an automatic API to calculate this information. Feel free to calculate it yourself using one of these tools:
Jennifer
Skin on or off? Thanks!
Elizabeth Lindemann
I like to leave it on when searing salmon! When it’s crispy, it’s delicious.
Hilary
The Salmon with scallion butter is delicious! I added a little lemon juice as we are lemon lovers ~ especially with fish. I’ve never pan fried salmon before and it worked very well. My kids loved it and that is always a challenge, so thanks!
Elizabeth
Hooray! So happy you liked it, Hilary. This is by FAR my favorite way to eat salmon. I’ll try it with the lemon next time- thanks for the tip!
Sylvia
I’ve never considered myself much of a cook, but since I’ve discovered your awesome, easy and delicious recipes I might actually have people over for dinner now and I’m not talking taco night either. Thanks for sharing the goodness!
Smitten with your recipes in San Francisco aka Sylvia :)
Elizabeth
Thanks so much, Sylvia! I’m so happy that you are finding my recipes useful. You know, you’ve kind of inspired me to write a “how to have people over for dinner and not go crazy” post- I’ll have to add that to my list of ideas :-)