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    Home » Seafood

    How to Pan-Sear Fish

    Published: Aug 1, 2018 · Modified: Nov 15, 2023 · 2 Comments

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Do you love pan-seared fish, and want to learn how to sear fish yourself at home?  This tutorial will walk you through how to pan-sear fish like cod, salmon, halibut, scallops and more! #seafood #cookingtutorial #panseared

    Do you love pan-seared fish, and want to learn how to sear fish yourself at home?  This tutorial will walk you through how to pan-sear fish like cod, salmon, halibut, scallops and more!

    Do you love pan-seared fish, and want to learn how to sear fish yourself at home?  This tutorial will walk you through how to pan-sear fish like cod, salmon, halibut, scallops and more!

     


    The first time I pan-seared a fish at home-- it was a revelation.

    Suddenly, a whole new world of fishy goodness opened up.  Pan-seared fish is juicy, crispy, and delicate all at once.  And it is EASY.

    Or at least-- it's easy once you know what you're doing.  And you will know-- as soon as you read this post.

    First, we'll review the basic techniques you should know when pan-searing any type of fish.  Then, we'll look at specific types of fish, and check out a few recipe ideas!

    How to Pan-Sear Fish: The Basics

    The fish should be room temperature.  Allow it to sit out on the counter for about 15 minutes before cooking.

    1. The fish should be dry.  Pat it dry before cooking.
    2. Use a heavy pan, such as cast iron or carbon steel.  A heavy pan will distribute the heat more evenly than nonstick or stainless steel.
    3. The pan and the oil / butter should be piping hot before adding the fish.
    4. Set the fish in the pan, and DO NOT TOUCH it until it's time to flip.
    5. Adjust the temperature if needed-- I usually lower the heat slightly once the fish is in the pan. Not sure how long it should cook?  Try watching the translucent fish flesh turn opaque as it cooks from the bottom up.  When it's ⅔ cooked, it's ready to flip.
    6. Use a thin metal spatula (such as a fish spatula) to flip the fish.
      If the fish doesn't release easily (if it sticks to the pan)-- it's not ready. Leave it for 30 seconds, and try again.
    7. Flip the fish, and sear for about one more minute.  Serve immediately!

    Alternate technique to pan-roast fish:  Another very similar technique is to pan-roast your fish. 

    For this approach, follow the pan-searing techniques through step 6.
     
    Then, cook the fish half-way through on the stove-top, and then slide the (oven-safe) pan into a hot oven.  

    How to Pan-Sear Salmon (And Other Fatty Fish)

    Salmon is one of my favorite fish to pan-sear, and it's also the easiest. 

    It's natural fatty oils keep salmon from sticking to the pan, so you can use a little less oil or butter than when pan-searing other fish.

    This is especially true with the fattiest salmon-- king salmon.

    Pan-Seared Salmon with Almond Cherry Sauce
    This cherry almond pan-seared salmon is made with fish seasoned with citrus and served with an easy cherry amaretto pan-sauce. Perfect for date night!
    Make It
    This Almond Cherry Seared Salmon is the perfect date night centerpiece, and features rich king salmon seared to perfection and topped with hot, juicy cherries and toasted almonds.
    Smoked Paprika Salmon with Rosemary Grapes
    This smoked paprika salmon with rosemary grapes is a sweet and savory seafood meal made with pan-seared fish and a quick grape pan-sauce.
    Make It
    smoked paprika salmon on plates with rosemary grapes
    Salmon Caesar Salad
    This Salmon Caesar Salad is a healthy and delicious take on a classic Caesar.  It features easy, homemade dressing, freshly baked croutons, and pan-seared salmon.
    Make It
    Salmon Caesar Salad in a serving bowl

    How to Pan-Sear Cod + Halibut (And Other Lean Fish)

    Want to try pan-searing cod, halibut, or other lean white fish? 

    You'll need to follow the basic steps with a little extra care. 

    Make sure that the fish is as dry as possible before starting, and be very gentle when you flip the fish.

    These fish need more fat added to the pan than oilier fish-- I like to add a mixture of olive oil and butter.

    Lean fish is also an excellent option for pan-roasting-- a slightly gentler process.

    Alternate pan-searing technique for lean fish:  Add extra fat to the pan, and then cook fish halfway through instead of ⅔.  Flip the fish, add MORE butter to the top, and let the butter braise the fish as it continues to cook.

    Halibut Salad with Bourbon Dressing
    This warm halibut salad is made with pan-seared halibut, a bed of wilted spinach, and a quick bourbon dressing. Serve this decadent seafood salad for date night!
    Make It
    This Kentucky Bourbon Seared Halibut is Date Night at its best!  It features delicious, meaty halibut drizzled with a quick bourbon sauce, served over a bed of wilted spinach.
    Fish in Butter Sauce (Fish Meunière)
    Julia Child made this classic French dish famous with her Sole Meunière.  This easy fish meunière (fish in butter sauce) is seared in butter and oil, and served with a lemon and butter sauce.
    Make It
    Fish Meunière with halibut on a plate
    Spiced Fish: Cod with Sweet Potato Mash
    This spiced fish recipe features pan-roasted cod coated with garam masala, along with an easy sweet potato mash and a puréed raisin and wine sauce. 
    Make It
    Two cod fillets stacked on top of sweet potato mash, with puréed raisin sauce on the side.

    How to Pan-Sear Sea Scallops

    Sea scallops are a delicacy, and there's one big thing that you should pay attention to if you want to sear them. 

    You have to-- HAVE TO-- buy sea scallops without chemical additives.

    They'll be marked dry packed or chemical-free, and the ingredients label will list only scallops.

    If you're not sure where to find chemical-free sea scallops, try looking at stores like Trader Joe's or Whole Foods. 

    Not an option? 

    Ask your local grocery store if they can order some for you.

    Chemically treated sea scallops have chemical plumping agents added to them, and they simply have too much moisture to sear well.  (Remember how your fish has to be dry?  These can't get dry.)

    If chemically treated sea scallops are your only option, you can soak them in cold water with the juice from one lemon. 

    The lemon-water bath will help your scallops taste more like the chemical-free scallops, but they still won't sear well.  Instead, try grilling your scallops, or make a broiled scallop gratin.

    Seared Sea Scallops with Wine Sauce
    These decadent seared sea scallops with wine sauce are rich, buttery, and luxurious. This tutorial will walk you through how to prepare this classic shellfish dish.
    Make It
    Seared Sea Scallops with wine sauce in a serving dish
    Scallop Alfredo with Pumpkin
    This scallop alfredo with pumpkin is made with creamy, delicious pumpkin and Parmesan pasta sauce, fettuccine noodles, and seared sea scallops.
    Make It
    This Pumpkin Fettuccine Alfredo with Scallops is made with a quick, from-scratch pasta sauce, and is a perfect fall Date Night dinner!  
    Scallop Fra Diavolo
    This decadent scallop fra diavolo is made with an easy, homemade spicy tomato sauce and seared sea scallops. Perfect for date night!
    Make It
    These Spicy Seared Sea Scallops with Pasta is an easy and quick Date Night dinner, featuring sea scallops tossed in spices and seared to perfection!

    Even More Recipe Ideas

    Once you've got the hang of pan-searing fish, the world is your oyster! (Or... your fish?)

    Check out these other tasty ideas!

    Ahi Tuna Steaks with Ginger Soy Sauce
    These easy seared ahi tuna steaks are seasoned with sesame seeds and a ginger soy sauce marinade. This extra-quick main course is ready in 20 minutes!
    Make It
    ahi tuna steaks on a plate
    Barramundi Recipe: Seared Fish with Mustard Sauce
    Love Barramundi? This Barramundi Recipe features seared fish with mustard sauce. This flavorful dish is ready in under 20 minutes, and is perfect for Date Night!
    Make It
    This Seared Barramundi (Asian Sea Bass) is cooked to perfection in browned butter, and served with a tangy Mustard Caper Sauce. This flavorful dish is ready in under 20 minutes, and is perfect for Date Night! champagne-tastes.com
    Pan-Seared Swordfish Steaks with Citrus
    These easy pan-seared swordfish steaks are coated in citrus zest, seared to perfection, and finished with diced green onions and freshly squeezed citrus juice.
    Make It
    This easy Citrus Seared Swordfish is coated in citrus zest, seared to perfection, and finished with fresh herbs and freshly squeezed citrus juice.
    • Want more pan-seared fish ideas? Try this Seared Mahi Mahi with Strawberry Mint Salsa from A Life of Happenstance

    More Seafood

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      Pan-Seared Walleye
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      Pan-Seared Catfish

    About Sarah Trenalone

    Sarah is the primary creator at Champagne Tastes. She's a photographer, food writer and traveler, and is certified in Backcountry Kitchen and Backcountry Navigation from the Colorado Outward Bound School and Identifying Wild Plants from Backpacker.

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    Comments

    1. Dawn says

      August 02, 2018 at 8:21 am

      Pan fried cod is a huge dish around here, well cod is really. One of my fave varieties of fish, however, is halibut. What a great post, Sarah! Lots of tips 🙂 !! Definitely agree with the fish being dry before frying - it's a necessity!

      Reply
    2. Gloria says

      August 08, 2018 at 10:44 am

      You make it look so easy, no matter what type of fish/seafood you want to sear. Maybe you should teach this to the chefs on Hell's Kitchen. Hubby and I always get a laugh how NONE of them can perform this fairly simple cooking technique!!

      Reply
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