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This deliciously easy and crispy Pan Seared Salmon recipe is flaky tender on the inside with a spicy crusted skin on the outside and topped with a fresh medley of avocado salsa made with fresh tomato, red onion, and more. Healthy pan-fried salmon is gluten-free and delicious served with rice or cauliflower rice for an easy dinner at home!
Easy, healthy pan-seared salmon with a spiced crust is the perfect definition of a filling dinner. The fresh avocado salsa served atop the salmon brings this dish to a new level and adds vibrancy, extra flavor, fiber, and yummy flavors.
Pan-seared salmon recipes are so simple to make and our favorite types of dishes at home! The salmon is cooked in one frying pan on the stovetop so there are not a lot of steps involved; plus it’s ready in less than 30 minutes!
Recipes for salmon are great for those who are wanting to stick to a leaner protein or seafood at home. The tender salmon fillets are coated with seasonings like paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, chili powder, and more to create the perfect crusted salmon.
Table of Contents
- WHY THIS PAN SEARED SALMON FILET RECIPE IS THE BEST
- Ingredients For Fried Salmon
- How to Make This Salmon and Avocado Recipe
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Notes, Tips, Substitutions
- WHAT TO SERVE THIS SEAFOOD RECIPE WITH
- MORE HEALTHY RECIPES WITH SALMON YOU WILL ENJOY
- Crispy and Easy Pan Seared Spice Crusted Salmon Recipe with Avocado Salsa Recipe
WHY THIS PAN SEARED SALMON FILET RECIPE IS THE BEST
- Healthy with Protein: Since salmon is a lean source of protein with omega-3s, you can feel good about enjoying this healthy pan seared seafood recipe! The avocado salsa is made with fresh ingredients that are filled with fiber and nutrients.
- Satisfying with Bright Flavors: The salmon is covered in a dry rub with spices and seasoning to create a tasty base layer, then it is pan seared until crisp and combined with fresh ingredients to make this a well-rounded protein recipe. Salmon is flaky and tender and tastes so fresh in this recipe.
- Quick and Easy: This pan fried salmon is ready in less than 20 minutes and made with only two steps! You will love this recipe for those nights when you need to quickly prepare dinner!
Ingredients For Fried Salmon
- Seasoning: For this simple recipe, you will need garlic powder, cumin, paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Very simple ingredients, but they give the salmon extra spice and savoriness.
- Olive Oil: I like to use olive oil for my recipes due to the high smoke point it has and the flavors, but any kind of cooking oil will work for these salmon fillets.
- Salmon: I like to cook with salmon fillets because they don’t take long to cook and are easy to work with. You can use either fresh or frozen salmon, but do not thaw the salmon until you are ready to cook it.
- Avocado: Ripened avocado is used as the base for the bright salsa. Be sure to find the right kind of avocado at the grocery store by picking an avocado that is gently soft to the touch but not too soft.
- Tomato: Juicy diced tomato is prepared within the salsa and adds a level of brightness that pairs deliciously well with the creamy avocado and salmon.
- Red Onion: Crunchy, pungent red onion provides extra tasty flavors to the salsa. You can use any kind of onion, though.
- Cilantro; Fresh leafy cilantro completes this crispy pan seared salmon. Cilantro is a great way to really add extra fresh flavors to a dish.
- Lime Juice: A spritz of lime juice is used to heighten the savoriness and flavors of the entire recipe. Make sure you have fresh lime juice because it makes the recipe even better.
How to Make This Salmon and Avocado Recipe
- Season Salmon: First, dry the salmon with paper towels to remove any excess moisture before covering with the dry seasonings. In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, cumin, paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper until well blended. Gently rub the seasoning mix all over the salmon fillets.
- Cook the Salmon: With a large skillet over medium heat and olive oil, add the seasoned salmon fillets with the skin side down and cook on both sides until slightly white colors start to form.
- Prepare the Avocado Salsa: Next, in a bowl, combine the avocado, tomato, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice to create the fresh salsa. Toss all of the ingredients together with a wooden spoon and season as needed.
- Enjoy: Finally, serve the salmon with the avocado salsa. Enjoy with fresh cilantro and extra lime juice if desired.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both options are great. Some people think baking salmon is healthier than pan-searing, but this pan-seared salmon recipe is made with wholesome ingredients and olive oil so it is minimal with clean flavors. Pan searing salmon can also take way less time than baking it in the oven.
You want to make sure to place the salmon in the skillet with the skin side facing down. Cooking the salmon’s skin first allows it to be crispy and filled with the perfect textures.
In this recipe, I like to flip the salmon to make sure both sides get crispy. You do not always have to flip the salmon, though, as long as the pan is hot enough.
Notes, Tips, Substitutions
- Instead of salmon, you can cook this pan seared recipe with tilapia, catfish, mahi mahi, or cod.
- Serve this salmon with a sweet and savory teriyaki sauce instead of the salsa if you prefer.
- Be sure to use an avocado that is soft rather than hard.
- Any kind of tomatoes will work in this recipe–cherry, grape, heirloom, Roma, etc.
- Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for three days.
- The avocado salsa is best when made right before serving the salmon.
WHAT TO SERVE THIS SEAFOOD RECIPE WITH
Here are some of my favorite options to serve with this pan seared salmon:
Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
MORE HEALTHY RECIPES WITH SALMON YOU WILL ENJOY
- Grilled Lemon Dill Salmon Skewers
- Honey Garlic Salmon Recipe
- Blackened Salmon
- Pan Seared Honey Lime Glazed Salmon
- Oven Baked Salmon Meal Prep
Finally, if you try a recipe and you like it, please use my hashtag #healthyfitnessmeals on INSTAGRAM for a chance to be featured! FOLLOW Healthy Fitness Meals on FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | TWITTER for all of my latest blog posts and recipes.
Crispy and Easy Pan Seared Spice Crusted Salmon Recipe with Avocado Salsa
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 ¼ pounds salmon fillets
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup diced avocado
- ½ cup diced tomato
- 2 tablespoons minced red onion
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 2 teaspoons lime juice
Instructions
- For the salmon: In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, cumin, paprika, chili powder, salt and pepper. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the salmon.
- In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the salmon, spice side down, and cook for 4-6 minutes per side or until done.
- For the salsa: Place the avocado, tomato, red onion, cilantro and lime juice in a bowl. Gently toss to combine and season with salt.
- Spoon the salsa over the salmon and serve.
Notes
- Instead of salmon, you can cook this pan seared recipe with tilapia, catfish, mahi mahi, or cod.
- Serve this salmon with a sweet and savory teriyaki sauce instead of the salsa if you prefer.
- Be sure to use an avocado that is soft rather than hard.
- Any kind of tomatoes will work in this recipe–cherry, grape, heirloom, Roma, etc.
- Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for three days.
- The avocado salsa is best is made right before serving the salmon.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Delicious and really easy to prepare! I loved the blackened salmon crust and flavor. The avocado salsa was the perfect topper. Thank you!
Thanks a million. I am so glad you loved it!