Looking for an easy and delicious salmon recipe to add to your weeknight meal rotation? This lemon pepper salmon is just what you need! It’s simple to make, and the flavor is amazing. You’ll love how crispy and flavorful the salmon fillets turns out. Plus, this recipe only takes about 20 minutes from start to finish, so it’s perfect for a busy weeknight.
What Flavors Go Well With Salmon?
There are a few different flavor profiles that go well with salmon. One of our favorites is lemon pepper. The acidity from the lemon juice pairs perfectly with the richness of the salmon, and the black pepper gives it a little bit of heat. Other popular flavors that go well with salmon are rosemary, teriyaki, or your simple salt and pepper.
Why Pan Fry Salmon?
Pan-frying a salmon fillet is one of the best ways to cook it. It’s quick and easy, and it allows you to get a nice crispy skin on the outside while keeping the inside nice and moist. Plus, it’s a great way to infuse flavor into the salmon. When you pan-fry salmon, make sure to use a good quality cooking oil. We like to use olive oil or avocado oil. If you have a nonstick pan, we recommend using it so you don’t have to worry about your salmon sticking.
Lemon Pepper Salmon
| Servings 2 | Prep time 10 |
| Calories 295 | Cook time 10 |
Total time 20 minutes
*Please note that the nutrition facts information provided is an estimate only and may vary depending on the ingredients used. Calories listed are per serving.*
Ingredients
- 2 4oz Atlantic salmon steaks
- 2 tbsp lemon pepper seasoning
- 2 tablespoons dill weed
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt or sea salt
- 1 lemon
*Disclosure, below are affiliate links to products we recommend. We do not include links to products we have not used or honestly recommend*
What Tools You Will Need:
Why Pat The Salmon With Paper Towels?
When you pat the salmon down before cooking, it helps to create a nice crispy skin. If there’s too much moisture on the surface of the salmon, it won’t get as crispy. So make sure to pat it dry with a paper towel before cooking.
How Do You Know When Salmon Is Done?
The best way to tell if salmon is cooked through is to use a meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the salmon, and cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Another way to tell if salmon is done is to look at the color. Raw salmon is a pinkish-orange color, and when it’s cooked through it will be a light pink.
Directions
- Place salmon fillets on a cutting board and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Coat each salmon steak with 1 tsp olive oil.
- Mix Lemon pepper, dill weed, and salt together in a small bowl.
- Spread the rub over the salmon evenly on both sides.
- Preheat skillet to medium heat.
- Cut the lemon in half. Squeeze lemon juice from 1 half of the lemon on each salmon steak.
- Place salmon steaks in a heated skillet and cook for 3-5 minutes on each side depending on thickness or until cooked through.
Note:
- Lemon zest, if you want to add even more flavor to your salmon and have a zester available, fresh lemon zest is a game changer that’s overlooked too often.
- Keep an eye on it, salmon cooks fairly quickly so keep an eye on it so it doesn’t come out dry.
- Garlic, minced garlic or garlic powder is popular with a lot of salmon recipes. We wanted more of the lemon to shine through in this recipe but if your a fan of garlic it wont hurt the recipe and will tone down the lemon slightly.
What Sides Go Well With Salmon?
There are a lot of great sides that go well with salmon. Some of our favorites include roasted vegetables, roasted potatoes, green beans, asparagus or cauliflower rice, and a simple green salad. You can check out our Roasted Potato recipe here.
How Long Does Salmon Keep In The Fridge?
Cooked salmon will keep in a airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. If you want it to last longer, you can store it in the freezer for up to two months.
Baked Lemon Pepper Salmon?
So what if you want baked salmon instead of pan-fried? That’s easy enough to do just preheat your oven to 350 and cook salmon on a baking sheet for 20-25 minutes or until it reaches 145 degrees internal temperature. You will be sacrificing the nice sear on the outside but it will still be flavorful and baked salmon gives a nice soft and tender texture. We recommend lining your baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper and covering it with foil as well. this will help keep the moisture in so your salmon doesn’t dry out.
Can I Barbeque Lemon Pepper Salmon?
Yes! This recipe would be delicious cooked on the BBQ. Just make sure to use a good quality cooking oil, so the salmon doesn’t stick to the grill. And cook it over medium-high heat so you get a nice crispy skin.
Can I Air Fry Lemon Pepper Salmon?
Yes, you can air fry salmon! Just be sure to lightly spray your air fry basket before cooking, so you get a nice crispy skin and it doesn’t stick. Cook it at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
Lemon Pepper Salmon Recipe: A Delicious and Easy Weeknight Meal
Ingredients
- 2 4 Ounce Salmon Fillets
- 2 TBSP Lemon Pepper
- 2 TBSP Dill Weed
- 2 TSP Olive Oil
- 1 TSP Salt
- 1 Lemon
Instructions
- Place salmon fillets on a cutting board and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Coat each salmon steak with 1 tsp olive oil.
- Mix Lemon pepper, dill weed, and salt together in a small bowl.
- Spread the rub over the salmon evenly on both sides.
- Preheat skillet to medium heat.
- Cut the lemon in half. Squeeze lemon juice from 1 half of the lemon on each salmon steak.
- Place salmon steaks in a heated skillet and cook for 3-5 minutes on each side depending on thickness or until cooked through.
- Serve and Enjoy!
Notes
- Lemon zest, if you want to add even more flavor to your salmon and have a zester available, fresh lemon zest is a game changer that’s overlooked too often.
- Keep an eye on it, salmon cooks fairly quickly so keep an eye on it so it doesn’t come out dry.
- Garlic, minced garlic or garlic powder is popular with a lot of salmon recipes. We wanted more of the lemon to shine through in this recipe but if your a fan of garlic it wont hurt the recipe and will tone down the lemon slightly.
Nutrition
Summary
So there you have it! a delicious meal you can add to other salmon recipes to keep your arsenal full of options. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or any night you’re in the mood for a delicious and easy meal. Try it out and let us know what you think! We hope you enjoy it as much as we do. What’s your favorite salmon recipe? Let us know in the comments below.
