How to Cook Salmon Steaks

You are going to love these lush herb butter salmon steaks. They have a wonderful flavor and are so tender. I'll show you the best way to cook salmon steaks to lock in moisture and build flavor.

We start with a delicious spice rub and finish the salmon by basting it with herbs, butter, and lemon juice. They cook quickly and are easy to pull together, making them a perfect weeknight dinner.

Salmon fillets and steaks are similar in flavor but have a few key differences.

Salmon steaks are a cross-section cut of the fish that includes the backbone and belly - making them slightly fattier than fillets. Salmon filets are boneless cuts from one side of the fish. They tend to flake a little more than steaks but may not have the same richness and juiciness as a steak.

Salmon steaks have a slightly richer flavor and taste. Steaks are usually cut about 1 to 1-½ inches thick. Cooking salmon steaks is easy - they taste great with a simple pan sear.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Tips for Making this Recipe
• Storage
• What to Serve with Salmon Steaks
• More Great Salmon Recipes
• How to Cook Salmon Steaks

Ingredients

Here are the simple ingredients you'll need to make this delicious salmon recipe.

• Fresh Salmon Steaks
• Sea Salt
• Garlic Powder
• Old Bay Seasoning
• Onion Powder
• Ground Black Pepper
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Butter
• Fresh Rosemary
• Fresh Thyme
• Several slices of lemon
• optional - chopped fresh thyme, fresh parsley, or other herbs for topping

See the recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Here's how to make a fantastic salmon steak recipe:

Pat the salmon steaks dry with a paper towel. Remove any visible pin bones with your fingers or tweezers.

Combine the salt, garlic powder, old bay, onion powder, and black pepper in a small bowl. Stir to combine.

Sprinkle the seasoning blend on both sides of the salmon steaks and gently rub into the flesh of the salmon.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. (I used a cast iron skillet, but any large heavy-bottomed pan will work) Add the olive oil once hot. 

Place salmon in the hot pan and cook for 5 minutes on each side. Be careful placing the steaks in the pan as the hot oil can spit.

In the last 3 minutes of cook time, add the butter, rosemary, and thyme to the skillet.

Once the butter has melted, scoop it up with a spoon and baste the salmon with it until they are done cooking. 

Once the salmon steaks reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees F on an instant read thermometer, they are done.

Remove the salmon from the skillet and top with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and optional chopped fresh herbs. 

Serve immediately. 

Tips for Making this Recipe

Cooking Tips - Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the fillets; you may need a minute or two more if your steaks are quite thick. I highly recommend checking your fish with an instant-read thermometer. Salmon is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.

Specialty Ingredients - If possible, purchase wild salmon. It has a stronger flavor than farmed salmon (usually labeled Atlantic salmon). If you can't find it at your regular grocery stores, try a fishmonger that sells king salmon, sockeye salmon, or coho salmon.

Recommended Tools - I recommend cooking the salmon in a heavy pan like a cast-iron skillet.

Storage

The cooked salmon will keep for up to 3 days in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container.

What to Serve with Salmon Steaks

Check out our entire post on sides for salmon, or try one of these favorites!

• Mediterranean Grilled Vegetables
• Oven Roasted Root Vegetables
• Sautéed Zucchini

More Great Salmon Recipes

If you love eating salmon, try some of our favorite recipes!

• Baked Sockeye Salmon in Foil
• Baked Lemon Salmon Recipe
• Mediterranean Salmon Salad
• Furikake Salmon

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