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Recipe16 May 2026

Pan-seared salmon

Fish gets neglected on carnivore. A salmon fillet a week brings omega-3 back into balance and breaks the beef-and-pork monotony. Six minutes from raw to plate.

Variant
strict
Prep
3 min
Cook
6 min
Serves
1

Ingredients

  • 011 salmon fillet, skin-on, 200-250 g
  • 02Salt, generously
  • 031 tbsp tallow or rendered animal fat (optional)

Method

Pat the salmon dry, especially the skin side. Wet skin will not crisp. Salt both sides — heavier on the skin.

Heat a non-stick or well-seasoned cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Add the tallow if using; otherwise the salmon's own fat is enough.

Place the salmon skin-side-down. Press lightly with a spatula for the first 30 seconds — salmon curls as the skin tightens, and pressing keeps it flat so the whole skin crisps.

Cook skin-side-down for 4 minutes without moving. The skin should release cleanly from the pan when ready — if it sticks, give it another 30 seconds.

Flip carefully. Cook 90 more seconds on the flesh side for medium, less for a more raw centre.

Plate skin-side-up. The skin is the best part — eat it crisp.