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4 pan seared salmon filets. 2 with skin side up and 2 flesh side up. All topped with caper vinaigrette.
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4.73 from 11 votes

Crispy Pan Seared Salmon With Fried Caper Vinaigrette

Crispy pan seared salmon with fried caper vinaigrette is a restaurant quality dish that comes together in minutes!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: All
Keyword: capers, salmon
Servings: 4
Calories: 385kcal
Author: Andrea Mut

Ingredients

  • 4 salmon fillets, skin on, 1 inch thick
  • salt and pepper
  • 2 tablespoon avocado or grapeseed oil

Fried Caper Vinaigrette

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup capers, drained. Pat dry with a paper towel
  • ¼ cup lemon juice, fresh sqeezed
  • 1 ½ teaspoon honey
  • 1 ½ teaspoon finely grated garlic, approximately 2 small cloves
  • 2 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped

Instructions

Fried Caper Vinaigrette

  • Mix together lemon juice, honey, garlic and dill. Reserve olive oil and capers separately. Set everything aside while you prepare the salmon.

Salmon

  • Pat the salmon fillets very dry with paper towels. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.
  • Add 2 tbsp. of oil to skillet. Heat oil over high heat until shimmering. Turn heat down to medium-low. Add one fillet at a time, carefully pressing each fillet gently but firmly with a spatula for 10 seconds before adding the next fillet. Don't overcrowd the pan. Cook in batches if necessary. Continue cooking for approximately 5 minutes for one-inch-thick fillets, or until salmon looks pink almost all the way through. Keep an eye on the skin and lower the heat if it's getting too dark.
  • Carefully flip the fillets using a spatula and a fork and cook flesh side down for one minute. Cook until quick read thermometer reads 120 degrees F. or until flesh looks still moist and bright pink inside. Check by separating the flesh with 2 forks or by squeezing the sides with your fingers to check for flakiness. Remember the salmon will continue cooking as it rests.
  • Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to absorb any excess oil. Repeat with any remaining fillets. Let salmon rest while you finish the vinaigrette.
  • In a small frying pan heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add drained capers, careful as they may spatter. Fry until turning lightly golden, about 3 minutes. Add the fried capers plus all the oil to the lemon juice mixture. Stir to combine.
  • Pour vinaigrette over salmon fillets or serve on the side.

Notes

STORAGE - Store leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 2-3 days.
Leftover salmon is ideal flaked onto salads the next day. Or you can reheat in a pan over medium heat. Skin side down for a few minutes then flip and heat the other side for one minute or less. 
NUTRITION FACTS are based on one 5 oz salmon filet with caper vinaigrette and are only an estimate. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 385kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 290mg | Potassium: 10mg | Sugar: 2g