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HomeRecipesThe concept
← All the basics
A methodMeat, fish and proteins2 min read

How to cook fish in a pan

See first : Heat levels: high, medium, low, boiling and simmering

✅ The essentials

A fillet or a portion of fish cooks in six to eight minutes in a pan, and there is nothing to do during that time, except not touch it. You lay it skin side down in a hot pan, you wait for the skin to be golden and the flesh to turn opaque as it rises, you turn it for a minute, done. Fish cooks for less time than you think: as soon as the flesh flakes, it is ready.

💡 The one thing to know

Do not move it. Fish laid in a hot pan sticks for the first thirty seconds, then comes loose on its own once the crust has formed. If you push it before, it tears.

🍳 The method

  1. Take the fish out ten minutes before, pat it dry with paper towel, salt it on both sides.
  2. Heat the pan on medium-high with a tablespoon of oil, until it shimmers.
  3. Lay the fish skin side down, and press for ten seconds with the spatula so the skin stays flat. Then do not touch it.
  4. Look at the side of the fillet: the flesh turns opaque, rising from the pan. When the opaque part reaches two thirds, after four to five minutes, turn it.
  5. One to two minutes on the other side, medium heat. A knob of butter and a squeeze of lemon in the pan at the end, baste, and serve.

📏 The landmarks

  • A 150 g salmon portion, with skin: four to five minutes skin side, one to two minutes flesh side.
  • A thin skinless fillet, whiting, cod, pollock: two minutes per side, medium heat.
  • A whole sole or trout: four minutes per side, medium heat, with flour on the skin.
  • It is done when the flesh is opaque all through and flakes under a fork. A still-glossy centre is very good for salmon and tuna.

⏱️ How long it takes

Ten minutes, cooking included, and fish does not wait: the vegetables and the starch are ready first.

🩹 If it goes wrong

It tore when turning: it was not ready, it will eat fine anyway, in pieces in a salad or with rice. It is dry: overcooked, one minute too many is enough, a little lemon butter on top rescues it. The skin is soft: the pan was not hot enough, or the fish was wet.

🍽️ Make it tonight

A salmon portion in the pan with the sautéed vegetables and rice by absorption: three pages, twenty-five minutes in all.

⚠️ Safety

Fish meant to be eaten raw or nearly raw, like tuna or salmon pink in the centre, is chosen very fresh or spends seven days in the freezer first: that is the recommendation in France for a home freezer. For children and pregnant women, it is eaten cooked through.

🥘 The linked base recipe: Pan-seared salmon (serves 4)

  • 4 salmon portions, 150 g each, with skin
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 20 g butter
  • 1 lemon
  • Salt, pepper

Recipes that use it

🍽️
13 min

Pan‑seared salmon

Easy

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