Is there anything a cast-iron skillet can’t do? It’s the workhorse behind these easy skillet suppers, and it makes some darn good desserts, too. When it comes to more delicate foods, like fish, you don’t need to hesitate to use your skillet. In fact, using cast iron is just the thing to create exceptionally tender salmon with a nice, crispy skin. And to do it is simple. We’ll break it down!
What Kind of Salmon Is Best?
Before you can even start cooking, though, you’re going to want to buy the right kind of salmon. Our Test Kitchen recommends shopping at a seafood market or fishmonger for the freshest possible fish. However, any good grocery store with a seafood counter and helpful staff works just fine, too. When choosing your salmon, always to be sure to smell it. It shouldn’t ever smell fishy (in a bad way) or ammonia-like. The fish should also be firm and free of bruises or discoloration.
As far as farm-raised or wild-caught, the decision is up to you. Both are healthy options. Farm-raised or Atlantic salmon are often milder in flavor. When shopping for wild-caught salmon, opt for Chinook, Coho or Sockeye. These will have a more pronounced salmon flavor.
How Do You Cook Salmon in an Iron Skillet in the Oven?
Once you have a good piece of fish, you’re going to need a good basic recipe. This oven-roasted salmon is a great recipe to know by heart, plus you can easily customize it to suit your taste. To make it, you’ll need:
- Center-cut salmon filet, 1-1½ pounds
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Step 1: Heat Up the Skillet
For this recipe, you don’t even need to turn on your stovetop, which I like because it gives you some hands-off time to prep a quick side salad. Instead, place your cast-iron skillet into a cold oven and heat to 450ºF.
Step 2: Place the Salmon in the Cast Iron
When the pan is getting nice and hot, brush the salmon with olive oil and sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Once the oven has come up to temperature, remove the pan and lay the fish skin side down inside. If you ever find yourself asking how do I make crispy salmon? this is how! A hot pan is exactly how you get the skin so delectably crispy.
Step 3: Bake!
With the salmon in place, return the skillet to the oven and cook uncovered for 14 to 18 minutes, or until a thermometer reads 125ºF. Remove from the pan and cut the salmon into single serving sizes.
How Do You Finish Your Salmon?
Of course, you can enjoy your salmon simply with salt and pepper. Good fish doesn’t need much accompaniment! However, if you want to up your flavor and customize your meal, you can try a few easy toppers:
- Gremolata: In a small bowl, mix a quarter cup minced, fresh parsley, two tablespoons of olive oil, one tablespoon lemon juice, a minced clove of garlic, a teaspoon of grated lemon peel, a half teaspoon of salt and a quarter teaspoon of pepper. Spoon this over your salmon before serving.
- Dill and caper butter: In a bowl, mix a quarter cup of softened butter, a tablespoon of minced shallot, a tablespoon of minced, fresh dill, a teaspoon of Dijon mustard and a teaspoon of chopped capers. Add a dollop right before serving. You can try these flavored butters, too!
- Maple soy glaze: In a dish, stir together a quarter cup of maple syrup with two tablespoons of soy sauce, a minced green onion, a half teaspoon fresh, grated ginger and a quarter teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Brush on before serving.
However you top your salmon, you’re sure to end up with a tender piece of fish with amazing crispy skin.
Try these salmon recipes next!
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Salmon and Spud Salad
I headed straight for the kitchen when I decided to pick up a healthier lifestyle. This salmon with veggies proves that smart choices can be simple and satisfying. —Matthew Teixeira, Milton, Ontario
You'll want to "reel in" our healthy salmon recipes, too.
Salmon with Horseradish Pistachio Crust
Impress everyone at your table with this elegant but easy salmon that's delicious and nutritious. You can substitute scallions for shallots if you like. —Linda Press Wolfe, Cross River, New York
Garlic & Herb Artichoke Salmon
If you’re new to cooking fish (or even if you’re a pro), this no-fail salmon recipe is a must-make. It’s easy enough for everyday, but also wows at dinner parties. —Margee Berry, White Salmon, Washington
Salmon with Creamy Dill Sauce
There's nothing like fresh salmon, and my mom bakes it just right so it nearly melts in your mouth. The sour cream sauce is subtly seasoned with dill and horseradish so that it doesn't overpower the delicate salmon flavor. —Susan Emery, Everett, Washington
Salmon Sweet Potato Soup
I created this recipe as a healthier alternative to whitefish chowder, which is a favorite in the area where I grew up. The salmon and sweet potatoes boost the nutrition and the slow cooker makes it more convenient. It's especially comforting on a cold fall or winter day! —Matthew Hass, Franklin, Wisconsin
Ginger-Glazed Grilled Salmon
Our family loves salmon prepared this way, and it's a real treat to make on a warm summer evening. These fillets may be baked in the oven at 450 degrees for 18 minutes, basting occasionally. —Wanda Toews, Cromer, Manitoba
Ginger Salmon with Green Beans
I developed this flavor-packed dinner for a busy friend who wants to eat clean. —Nicole Stevens, Austin, Texas
Salmon with Dill Sauce & Lemon Risotto
I love the classic combination of lemon and fish, and this dish is delicious and easy to throw together at the end of a long day. —Amanda Reed, Nashville, Tennessee
Spicy Plum Salmon
I created this sweet and spicy salmon after being challenged to use healthier ingredients. The fresh plum sauce really complements the smoky grilled fish. —Cheryl Hochstettler, Richmond, Texas
Green Curry Salmon with Green Beans
Like a lot of people here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, my boyfriend, Michael, loves to fish. When we have an abundance of fresh salmon on hand, this is one way we cook it. —Amy Paul Maynard, Albany, Oregon
Citrus Salmon en Papillote
This salmon dish is so simple and easy to make yet so delicious, elegant and impressive. —Dahlia Abrams, Detroit, Michigan
Grilled Salmon with Chorizo-Olive Sauce
Every one of the ingredients in this recipe brings a ton of flavor. Both chorizo and salmon cook in a hurry, and garlic and citrus go beautifully with them, too. —Charlene Chambers, Ormond Beach, Florida
Salmon Dill Soup
This is the best soup I have ever made, according to my husband, who loves salmon so much that he could eat it every day. Salmon is a treat for both of us, so when I get some, I try to make it a very special dish like this one. —Hidemi Walsh, Plainfield, Indiana
Hoisin-Pineapple Salmon
My mouth waters when I think of this sweet and tangy glaze. It's a tropical treat at any time of year. —Naylet LaRochelle, Miami, Florida
Pistachio Salmon
This simple salmon gets its crunch from a coating of crushed pistachios, panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Add steamed veggies and rice and it's dinnertime! —Anthony Oraczewski, Port St. Lucie, FL
Grilled Salmon Wraps
We eat fish on Fridays, so I like to experiment with different types. I pulled salmon, spinach and avocado from the fridge for these wraps. My kids loved them, and I love them, too, because they're delicious and they contain all the food groups right in one hand-held meal. —Jennifer Krey, Clarence, New York
Salmon & Spinach Salad with Avocado
We eat a power salad packed with salmon and spinach at least once a week. It’s a cinch to make, even after a hard day’s work. —Jenny Dawson, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Lemon-Dill Salmon Packets
Grilling salmon in foil is an easy technique I use with foods that cook quickly, like fish, shrimp, bite-sized meats and fresh veggies. The options are endless—and the cleanup is easy. —A.J. Weinhold, McArthur, California
Citrus Salmon Fillets with Salsa
Take lemony salmon fillets to the next level with a fresh, colorful homemade salsa. Just add a simple side of rice for a complete dinner. —Tiffany Hartpence, Lander, WY
Caesar Salmon with Roasted Tomatoes & Artichokes
This recipe is my "go to" recipe for quick dinners, family or guests. It's colorful, healthy, easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. The best part is it only calls for five ingredients! —Mary Hawkes, Prescott, Arizona
Oven-Roasted Salmon
When I’m starving after work, I want a fast meal with no-fail technique. Roasted salmon is uber-tender and has a delicate sweetness. It’s also an easy wowza for company. —Jeanne Ambrose, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Walnut-Crusted Ginger Salmon
For those who aren’t wild about fish, this gingery salmon is a game-changer. Baking on foil makes for extra-easy cleanup. —Becky Walch, Orland, California
Lemon Salmon with Basil
At our house we opt for healthy foods, and this lemony salmon with basil is a knockout in the good-for-you category. We have it with asparagus or zucchini. —Shanna Belz, Prineville, Oregon
Salmon with Mango-Citrus Salsa
My mother would make this for us on weeknights in summer—this was the only way we would eat fish. You can make the salsa a day ahead of time. Just keep it in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap. —Najmussahar Ahmed, Canton, Michigan
Salmon with Spinach & White Beans
My husband, Oscar, is a Southerner at heart. This salmon with garlicky beans and spinach won him over at first bite. —Mary Ellen Hofstetter, Brentwood, Tennessee
Jamaican Salmon with Coconut Cream Sauce
We try to eat salmon often because it's so healthy, and I love thinking of new ways to make it different and delicious. It's easy, but this dazzler with jerk seasoning is my go-to meal for company. —Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California
Pan-Roasted Salmon with Cherry Tomatoes
It sounds basic, but the tomato sauce is so awesome. If you have it, use white wine instead of chicken broth. I like to serve my salmon with asparagus—roast it alongside the fish. —Swati Sharan, Horseheads, New York
Ginger Salmon with Cucumber Lime Sauce
Lime and ginger is a favorite flavor combo for me, especially with grilled salmon. So good. Even with the cucumber sauce, this recipe is easy, too. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Salmon Veggie Packets
I feel the spirit of Julia Child when I make lemon-pepper salmon en papillote (in parchment). It’s the first French recipe I learned, and the delightful little packages are family-friendly. —Renee Greene, New York, NY
Salmon Vegetable Salad with Pesto Vinaigrette
A bounty of vegetables keeps this salad light on calories, while salmon makes it hearty enough for a meal. It's become a springtime staple at our house. —Frances Pietsch, Flower Mound, Texas
Firecracker Grilled Salmon
Let this sensational salmon perk up dinner tonight. With a super flavorful glaze that kicks you right in the taste buds, this weeknight dish is anything but boring. —Melissa Rogers, Tuscaloosa, AL
Creamy Salmon Linguine
Extra Pesto Grilled Salmon gives this creamy pasta toss a luxurious taste and texture. We love it as is, but you could easily sub in any veggies you have on hand for the broccoli. —Jacob Kitzman, Seattle, Washington
Easy Glazed Salmon
It only takes four ingredients and a few moments of time to make this delightful main dish. —Tara Ernspiker, Falling Waters, West Virginia
Mesquite Salmon
a useful tip may be gleaned from May/June 2005 BYL regarding wood chips: If using a charcoal grill, add wood chips directly to the coals. If using a gas grill, wrap the chips in a foil pouch; poke several holes in the pouch and place it on the rock grate.
Lemon Basil Salmon
It was my husband, Steve, who came up with this easy, foil-packet recipe for flaky, fork-tender Lemon Basil Salmon. We eat a lot of salmon and Steve likes trying out different herbs and spices on our food. This recipe's a winner! —Marianne Bauman, Modesto, California
Grilled Salmon with Nectarines
My family liked this recipe so much, I made it for a potluck the very next day. Everyone raved about it there, too, even people who aren't particularly fond of fish. —Kerin Benjamin, Citrus Heights, California
Salmon Caesar Salad
This main course was invented out of a need to serve my family a balanced meal when time was limited. Even my young son loves it! —Ann Bagdonas of Antioch, California
Brown Sugar-Glazed Salmon
Pop these protein-packed salmon fillets in the oven before whipping up a sweet basting sauce. This tangy entree cooks up in minutes making it a perfect meal for busy families and unexpected weekend guests. —Debra Martin, Belleville, Michigan
Seared Salmon with Balsamic Sauce
A friend gave me this simple and delicious recipe, which I've passed on to other fish fans. The slightly sweet sauce makes these tender salmon fillets a tempting main dish. —Trish Horton, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Garlic Salmon Linguine
The garlic-seasoned main dish calls for handy pantry ingredients, including pasta and canned salmon. I serve it with asparagus, rolls and fruit. —Theresa Hagan, Glendale, Arizona
Spiced Salmon
This delicious, moist fish is very quick and easy to prepare. It gets a little sweetness from brown sugar but overall the seasonings are mild and give this dish broad appeal. It's a great way to enjoy healthy salmon. —Donna Reynolds, Innisfail, Alberta
Lemony Salmon Patties
Topped with a zippy white sauce, these little patties bake up golden brown in a muffin pan. They're impressive enough for company but easy enough that I can prepare them any time we like. —Lorice Britt, Severn, North Carolina
Baked Salmon
I often make this very moist and flavorful oven-baked salmon for company because I can have it ready in less than half an hour. I like to serve it with rice, or a green vegetable and a tossed salad. —Emily Chaney, Penobscot, Maine
Gingered Honey Salmon
Ginger, garlic powder and green onion blend nicely in an easy marinade that gives pleasant flavor to salmon. We also like to use this versatile mixture when grilling chicken, but we've found it tastes even better when marinated in the fridge overnight. —Dan Strumberger, Farmington, Minnesota
Crumb-Topped Salmon
Often we catch enough of our delicious Northwest salmon to send some to Michigan for my sister to enjoy. This crisp, lemony recipe is a sure way to enjoy it. —Perlene Hoekema, Lynden, Washington
The post How to Make the Best-Ever Salmon in a Cast-Iron Skillet appeared first on Taste of Home.
Lisa Kaminski