Quick Salmon Tomato Lemon (Print version)

Tender pan-seared salmon with bright tomato lemon sauce, ready in 25 minutes.

# Ingredient List:

→ Fish

01 - 4 salmon fillets (about 5 oz each), skin-on or skinless
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Tomato Lemon Sauce

05 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
06 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
07 - 1 small red onion, finely diced
08 - 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
09 - Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
10 - 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
12 - Salt and pepper, to taste

# How To Make It:

01 - Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add salmon skin-side down (if applicable). Cook for 4-5 minutes until crispy, then flip and cook 2-3 minutes more until just cooked through. Remove from pan and tent loosely with foil.
03 - In the same pan, add another tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté garlic and red onion for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and softened.
04 - Add cherry tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften and burst.
05 - Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and chili flakes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 1 minute to meld flavors.
06 - Return salmon to the pan, spooning sauce over the fillets. Warm through for 1 minute. Transfer to plates, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sauce comes together in the same pan, meaning fewer dishes and more flavor.
  • Salmon stays perfectly tender while the bright tomato lemon sauce wakes up your entire plate.
02 -
  • Never crowd the pan when searing salmon, or you will steam instead of sear.
  • Let the tomatoes burst naturally on their own time, rushing this step means less sauce.
03 -
  • A dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio makes the perfect cooking companion.
  • If you are serving guests, have everything else plated before you start the final step.

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