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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!

fried salmon on white plate with fork and avocado salsa
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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.

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!
pan seared salmon on white plate with lime and avocado salsa with tomato

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.
pan fried salmon on white plate with avocado salsa

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

Is it better to pan-sear or bake salmon?

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.

What side of salmon do you pan sear first?

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.

Do you flip salmon with pan-frying?

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.
pan seared salmon on white plate with avocado salsa and fork

WHAT TO SERVE THIS SEAFOOD RECIPE WITH

Here are some of my favorite options to serve with this pan seared salmon:

Homemade Vegetable Soup

Cheesy Cauliflower Bake

Garlic Roasted Broccolini

Fluffy Stovetop White Rice

Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

MORE HEALTHY RECIPES WITH SALMON YOU WILL ENJOY

Salmon with Avocado Salsa  on white plate

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4.72 from 7 votes

Crispy and Easy Pan Seared Spice Crusted Salmon Recipe with Avocado Salsa

By: Rena
Servings: 4
Prep: 7 minutes
Cook: 12 minutes
Total: 17 minutes
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 delicious served with rice or cauliflower rice for an easy dinner at home!

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

Calories: 292kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 29gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 77mgSodium: 658mgPotassium: 953mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 555IUVitamin C: 7.7mgCalcium: 31mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @healthyfitnessmeals or tag #healthyfitnessmeals!

About Rena Awada

Hi, Iโ€™m Rena! Welcome to my blog. I am here to help you prepare delicious, light, fresh meals that your whole family will love!

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4.72 from 7 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Delicious and really easy to prepare! I loved the blackened salmon crust and flavor. The avocado salsa was the perfect topper. Thank you!