Easy Salmon Steak

This easy salmon steak recipe makes perfectly seasoned, tender steaks! Add spices and spritz with lemon for a memorable meal.

Got a salmon steak and not sure how to cook it? This unique piece of fish is rich and meaty, an experience that’s like an elevated version of the typical salmon fillet. If you’re able to find this cut of salmon at your local grocery or seafood market, jump on it! This salmon steak recipe comes out perfectly seasoned, cooked with lemon, butter and olive oil showered with a delicious mix of spices. Add a few sides, and you’ve got a restaurant-worthy meal in minutes.

Ingredients in this salmon steak recipe

A salmon steak is a cut of the fish that’s cut perpendicular to the spine, versus a fillet that’s cut parallel to the spine. The steak is thicker and tastes richer and meatier than a fillet, which are thinner and flakier. Salmon steaks are typically sold bone in, so you’ll need to remove the bones before serving. It makes an impressive alternative to a fillet, and it’s easy to cook pan fried or grilled.

For this salmon steak recipe, you’ll season the steaks with a mix of savory spices, then pan sear them until tender. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

• Salmon steaks
• Smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, cumin, salt
• Butter
• Olive oil
• Lemon juice

Tips for deboning salmon steaks

There are three types of bones to remove in salmon steaks: rib bones that run along the cavity, pin bones on the sides, and vertebrae in the center. Use a fillet knife or boning knife for the large bones and a fish bone tweezer to pull out the smaller bones. Reference this video for how to debone salmon steaks.

How to cook salmon steak

This salmon steak recipe is quick and simple, pan seared with a mix of butter and olive oil. You’ll season the steaks with spices then pan sear on both sides, adding a spritz of lemon at the end of cooking. It takes 4 to 8 minutes for the entire cooking process, so it goes quickly! Here are the basic steps for how to pan sear salmon steak:

1. Bring to room temperature: Allow the steaks to stand at room temperature before cooking, about 15 to 20 minutes.
2. Season: Mix the salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and cumin in a small bowl. Pat the salmon dry with a clean towel. Rub the seasoning mix on both sides of the salmon steaks.
3. Pan sear: Heat a large skillet over medium high heat and add the butter and olive oil. When butter is melted, add the salmon steaks and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until cooked about halfway to the center of the thick part of the salmon. Flip the salmon, tilt the pan down slightly and quickly spoon the pan juices over the top of the fish a few times. Drizzle with the lemon juice and spoon the pan juices a few times again.
4. Finish: Cook for 2 to 5 minutes, depending on the thickness, until just tender and pink at the center. The internal temperature should be between 125 to 130°F when measured in the center.

Alternative: grilled salmon steak

Salmon steaks also work well grilled: grill over medium high heat for about 5 minutes per side. In terms of seasoning, this grilled salmon recipe is a favorite of ours: you can use the salmon seasoning or marinade listed in that recipe. Or, you can season as noted in the recipe below, then do the following:

• Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (375 to 450°F).
• Grill the salmon for 5 minutes (where the flames aren’t directly touching the fish), until grill marks appear and it releases from the grates.
• Flip and cook another 2 to 5 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon, until tender and just pink at the thickest portion and the internal temperature is 125 to 130°F. Allow to rest for a few minutes, then serve.

More salmon recipes

Love salmon? Here are a few more salmon recipes that work with fillets and canned versions of this tasty protein:

• Try an irresistible Salmon Rice Crunch Bowl or Greek Salmon Salad
• Opt for Easy Marinated Salmon or Sockeye Salmon
• Go for simple and elegant Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Salmon
• Try fast and easy Salmon Croquettes, Brown Sugar Salmon, or Honey Garlic Salmon
• Use smoked salmon for a Smoked Salmon Sandwich

01

Salmon Rice Crunch Bowl

02

Easy Salmon Marinade

03

Salmon Croquettes

04

35 Easy Salmon Recipes

This salmon steak recipe is…

Gluten-free and pescatarian.

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