Salmon A La Plancha

Salmon a la plancha, or pan-seared salmon is a delicious recipe that any fish lover will adore. Perfectly seared to golden perfection on the outside and fork-tender on the inside, this salmon in cast iron recipe will have you hooked from the first bite.

I’ve always loved fish of any kind, from fried to baked, but my favorite way to cook it is in the pan. Using high heat and a cast-iron skillet, I’ve perfected this delicious herbed butter salmon recipe.

Seared Salmon in Cast Iron

Salmon is such a versatile fish, which is why I love it so much. I’ve made all sorts of salmon recipes from my jerk salmon to fried salmon bites, and they’re always delicious. You just can’t beat its flavor.

Ingredients

It doesn’t take much to make this delicious salmon a la plancha recipe. In fact, it only takes six ingredients, and the only one you’ll have to buy especially for the recipe is the salmon itself.

• Fresh salmon fillet
• Unsalted butter, melted & divided
• Garlic cloves, minced
• Lemon juice
• Fresh thyme, chopped (plus more for garnish)
• Salt and pepper

Check the recipe card below for full information about this recipe like quantities.

Instructions

Making this delicious salmon in cast iron is as easy as the recipe list. It only takes a few steps to create a perfectly seared salmon a la plancha in no time at all.

Step 1: Make the Lemon Butter Mixture

In a small bowl, whisk your melted butter, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, and chopped thyme together. Set aside.

Step 2: Pan Sear the Salmon

Heat your plancha griddle or cast iron skillet over medium heat until hot. Drizzle melted butter on the bottom of the cooking surface and place the salmon, skin side down, onto it. Pour the lemon butter over the salmon and sautee on medim-high heat for 10 to 13 minutes or until the salmon is flaky with a fork.

Step 3: Finish in the Oven

Place the salmon under the broiler for about a minute to finish the recipe by browning the edges of the garlic.

Step 4: Plate

Finally, garnish your salmon with lemon wedges and more fresh thyme.

Hint: A plancha griddle is preferred for this recipe, but if you don’t have one, a cast iron skillet does the trick.

Substitutions

There aren’t a lot of ingredients to this recipe, but if you find yourself out of any of them, I have some substitutions here that will work well.

• Bottle Lemon Juice – Freshly squeezed lemon juice is preferred, but bottle will work in a pinch.
• Pre-Minced Garlic – If you don’t have fresh garlic, you can use minced garlic out of a jar.
• Dried Thyme – Fresh herbs are always best, but dried thyme will work if that’s all you have.

Variations

Want to personalize this salmon in cast iron recipe? Here are some of my tried and true tips for changing up this recipe.

• Spicy – Add red pepper flakes to your lemon butter to give a spicy kick to the dish.
• Chives or Green Onions – Chopped chives or green onions work well in the lemon butter.

If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy my maple bourbon salmon.

Equipment

You don’t need much of anything to make this delicious salmon a la plancha. The tools required for this recipe are simple!

• Bowl
• Spoon
• Plancha griddle or cast iron skillet
• Lemon squeezer (not required but helpful)

Storage

You can store this salmon in the refrigerator for three to four days in an air-tight container. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to six months.

Tips

This recipe is so simple, I only have one tip for it. It’s an easy one, but it’s very important.

• Don’t move the salmon. Let the salmon sear without moving it so that the outside can brown. This prevents it from sticking.

More Salmon Recipes

Do you like salmon as much as I do? Here are some recipes you may also like to try

• Pesto Salmon
• Honey Smoked Salmon
• Simple Salmon Cakes

FAQ

Do you have questions about salmon a la plancha? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about this salmon a la plancha recipe.

Salmon a la Plancha

Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.