Learn how to make lemon pepper salmon with our easy skillet method. Use this versatile recipe as your base for any seasoning blend you love! You may also like our baked blackened salmon and grits or salmon fish fingers.
There’s nothing quite like a perfectly cooked piece of salmon!
This easy lemon pepper salmon is our go-to recipe for cooking up flawless, flavorful salmon fillets. We start with store-bought, skin-on salmon, butter, oil, and seasoning. It delivers consistent, delicious results every time! It’s also super convenient for busy weeknights or a quick family meal.
We love the bright, citrusy zing of lemon pepper seasoning and fresh squeezed lemon juice, but you can easily switch it up to suit your taste preferences. Cajun, blackened, garlic herb—whatever your favorite seasoning blend is.
Here’s the trick: cooking the salmon in a mix of butter and oil. The oil helps prevent the butter from burning, while the butter adds incredible flavor and helps achieve that golden, crispy pan sear.
This lemon pepper salmon recipe is a foolproof way to cook salmon in a skillet, and we promise it’s less likely to overcook compared to the oven. (But yes, you can totally bake it if that’s your preference!)
Let’s get cooking!
What we love about this recipe
- Quick and Easy: This lemon pepper salmon is ready in under 20 minutes, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
- Simple Ingredients: It uses common pantry staples like olive oil and butter.
Ingredients
A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
- Salmon filets
- Homemade lemon pepper seasoning (or your favorite store-bought lemon pepper, like Mrs. Dash Salt-Free Lemon Pepper)
- Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- Olive oil
- Butter
Substitutions and modifications
- Lemon Pepper Seasoning: Use a mix of lemon zest, cracked black pepper, and a pinch of garlic powder.
- Kosher Salt: Use sea salt or Himalayan pink salt.
- Olive Oil: Try avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or vegetable oil for a neutral flavor.
How to perfectly cook salmon in a frying pan
Detailed instructions for skillet lemon pepper salmon can be found in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Take the salmon filets out the refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Pat the filets dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
Step 2: Season with lemon pepper seasoning and kosher salt. You can use homemade seasoning or store-bought.
Step 3: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and butter, swirling the pan to coat the bottom. Once the butter starts to foam, place the salmon filets in the pan skin-side down.
Step 4: Cook the salmon without moving it for about 4 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and golden brown.
Step 5: Flip the salmon filets, lower the heat to medium, and cook for another 3 minutes.
Step 6: For thicker filets (½ inch or more), cook the edges for about 2 minutes per side. Use tongs to hold the salmon upright to sear the sides.
Step 7: Flip the salmon back to skin-side down and baste the filets with the pan juices using a spoon.
Step 8: Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the salmon for extra flavor. Check that the internal temperature has reached 145°F, then remove from heat.
Tips for cooking salmon on the stove
- Room Temperature Salmon: Letting the salmon sit at room temperature for 10 minutes prevents uneven cooking.
- Dry Before Cooking: Blotting the salmon ensures the skin crisps up beautifully.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook the filets in batches if necessary to avoid steaming them.
- Timing is Key: Use a timer to avoid overcooking. Salmon should be just opaque and flake easily.
- Pan Juices: Don’t skip drizzling the pan juices over the finished salmon—it’s full of flavor!
How to make lemon pepper salmon in the air fryer
- Start by preheating the air fryer and spraying it with olive oil non-stick spray.
- Coat your salmon filets with olive oil spray, then season them with kosher salt and lemon pepper seasoning.
- Air fry at 390°F for 9-12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the filets and how well-done you prefer them. Once cooked, remove the salmon and set it aside.
- In a small bowl, melt some butter and mix in lemon juice. Drizzle the lemon butter over the salmon and enjoy!
We were recently gifted an air fryer by Cosori, and it’s been a game-changer! It’s really user-friendly and it cooks a lot faster than some of the air fryers we’ve used in the past.
What goes good with lemon pepper salmon?
If you’re looking to pair lemon pepper salmon with something Southern and soul food-inspired, here are some of our recommendations:
- Green Beans and Potatoes
- Roasted Summer Squash and Zucchini
- Creamy Grits
- Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole
- Fried Cabbage
- Angel Hair Pasta with Lemon Butter Sauce
Frequently asked questions
Summary
This lemon pepper salmon recipe is our foolproof method for cooking salmon fillets perfectly every time. Whether you stick to lemon pepper or switch it up with Cajun or blackened seasoning, this recipe will quickly become a family favorite. Pair it with your favorite sides and enjoy a restaurant-quality meal at home.
Easy Lemon Pepper Salmon Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 salmon filets
- 2-4 teaspoons homemade lemon pepper seasoning or your favorite store-bought lemon pepper, like Mrs. Dash Salt-Free Lemon Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- Let the salmon filets sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. This helps them cook evenly.
- Pat the filets dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Season the salmon with lemon pepper seasoning and kosher salt. You can use homemade seasoning or store-bought.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and butter, swirling the pan to coat the bottom.
- Once the butter starts to foam, place the salmon filets in the pan skin-side down.
- Cook the salmon without moving it for about 4 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and golden brown.
- Flip the salmon filets, lower the heat to medium, and cook for another 3 minutes.
- For thicker filets (½ inch or more), cook the edges for about 2 minutes per side. Use tongs to hold the salmon upright to sear the sides.
- Flip the salmon back to skin-side down and baste the filets with the pan juices using a spoon.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the salmon for extra flavor.
- Check that the salmon’s internal temperature has reached 145°F using a meat thermometer.
- Remove the salmon from the heat and transfer to a serving plate.
I made this tonight for the first time for my wife and myself. It’s a winner for sure. It’s delicious. My wife raved over it.
I’m looking forward to trying some of your other recipes.
That’s so wonderful to hear! We’re thrilled you and your wife enjoyed the recipe 😊 Thank you for giving it a try and for taking the time to share your kind words. Happy cooking, and let us know what you try next! 🥰🍴