How to Pan Sear Fish Like a Pro
- by Omaha Steaks
- Last updated Mar 23, 2023
You don’t need to be an expert in the kitchen to perfectly pan-sear your fish. With the right tools, temperature, and some tips from our pros, you’ll have no trouble flipping fish in your skillet. Pan-searing yields a crispy, golden exterior and moist, tender flesh in several different types of fish. Use our easy-to-follow pan-sear cooking guide to cook all your favorite fish fillets, including:
- Yellowfin Tuna Steaks (Ahi Tuna)
- Salmon Fillets
- Snapper
- Halibut
- Swordfish
- Mahi Mahi
Preparing Fish for Pan-Searing
Before pan-searing any type of fish, you want to make sure it’s fully thawed. Once thawed, use a paper towel to gently blot the fish. Pro tip: arrange the fish on a plate and refrigerate uncovered for one hour before cooking to help obtain a good sear (this step is helpful, but not required). Next, season the fish with salt and pepper and your favorite seafood seasoning, or try our Citrus & Herb Signature Seafood Rub.
Preparing Your Pan
One of the most important steps in pan-searing is ensuring the pan is hot enough. Set a medium nonstick skillet and preheat to a medium temperature. As the pan is heating up, add about 1 teaspoon of olive oil for every fillet or fish steak. Don’t overcrowd the pan by adding too many fillets, as this will cause the fish to lose its moisture.
How to Pan-Sear Fish
Pan-searing fish doesn’t need to be intimidating, follow the guide from our pros and you will be set for a tender and delicious gourmet seafood dinner right at home.
How to Pan-Sear Ahi Tuna
Notable for its bright pink color and delicious mild flavor, ahi tuna is one of the highest-quality tunas out there. Searing tuna steaks is a snap and one of the quickest dinners, as the meat is best when barely cooked.
Get the Guide: How to Pan-Sear Ahi Tuna
How to Pan-Sear Salmon
A classic and delicious seafood dinner at home, you can’t go wrong with pan-seared salmon. Pan-searing may sound fancy, but it is the quickest and easiest method for tender, juicy salmon.
Get the Guide: How to Pan-Sear Salmon
How to Pan-Sear Snapper
Great for a gourmet taste in a time-crunch, pan-seared snapper is a go-to for cooks at any level. Rich in protein, with a mildly sweet flavor, snapper is the perfect fish to pan-sear.
Get the Guide: How to Pan-Sear Snapper
How to Pan-Sear Halibut
Halibut has a firm texture and a sweet, mild flavor that many seafood lovers crave. Learn how to pan-sear halibut for a quick and easy alternative if you’re unable to grill.
Get the Guide: How to Pan-Sear Halibut
How to Pan-Sear Swordfish
With delicate flavors and texture like a great steak, swordfish may sound exotic and hard to cook, but they are remarkably easy to prepare in a skillet. Enjoy a gourmet and delicious pan-seared swordfish steak at home in just a few simple steps.
Get the Guide: How to Pan-Sear Swordfish
How to Pan-Sear Mahi Mahi
A truly one-of-a-kind fish, mahi mahi holds the flavors that many seafood lovers crave. While there are several ways to deliciously cook mahi mahi, one of the easiest ways is to pan-sear it.
Get the Guide: How to Pan-Sear Mahi Mahi
The Omaha Steaks Mobile App Timer
If you think cooking fish is intimidating and complicated, use our seafood cooking chart <add link> or download the Omaha Steaks Mobile App to help get you through the cooking process with ease! The app features a built-in all-in-one timer tool, cooking guides and recipes, and more.
Editor’s Note: This post was updated in May 2022 for freshness and comprehensiveness.
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