Description

Gordon Ramsay’s Crispy Skin Salmon is a vibrant, pan-seared dish featuring ultra-crisp skin, juicy moist flesh, tempered with garlic, thyme, and a bright lemon butter finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Salmon and Seasoning

10 oz fresh salmon fillet (skin-on and deboned)
¾ tsp salt
Pinch freshly ground black pepper
½ tsp cayenne pepper

Cooking Aromatics and Flavor Finish

1 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp butter (divided)
2 cloves garlic (sliced)
4 sprigs fresh thyme
Zest of ½ lemon (about 1 tsp)
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Instructions

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Pat salmon skin completely dry, ensuring the skin is moisture-free for crispness.

Season flesh side with salt, pepper, and cayenne to balance heat and depth.

Heat skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil to shimmer.

Place salmon skin-side down in the pan and press gently for 30 seconds to prevent curling.

Cook without moving until the skin is deeply golden and crisp, signaling caramelization and rendering of fat.

Lower heat slightly and add butter, garlic, and thyme to the pan.

Tilt pan and baste salmon with melted butter to build flavor and keep the flesh moist.

Flip salmon briefly to finish cooking the flesh without overcooking.

Add lemon zest and juice, then remove from heat to preserve brightness and prevent bitterness.

Notes

For extra crisp skin, pat dry with paper towels and let sit uncovered for 5 minutes before cooking.
Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in a single layer to ensure even searing.
Butter baste adds richness; adjust butter amount for a lighter version.
Finish with a quick squeeze of lemon after pan is off heat to preserve brightness.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 13 minutes
Category: Seafood, Main course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: British/American (Gordon Ramsay adaptation)

Keywords: crispy skin salmon, pan-seared salmon, garlic butter, lemon butter, thyme, Gordon Ramsay