Pan-Seared Salmon with Creamy Avocado Sauce (2024)

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Pan-seared salmon with creamy avocado sauce is a light and refreshing salmon recipe with an elegant flair. I love pan-seared salmon because it takes on the most fantastic caramelized texture. It’s very easy to make at home and comes together in a matter of minutes.

This salmon dish is finished with a homemade creamy avocado sauce comprised of avocado, garlic, basil, lemon, cream, and olive oil. It’s the perfect finishing touch that adds both flavor and creaminess. Serve this over mixed greens or with roasted veggies for a complete and healthy meal.

Love salmon? Also, try my blackened salmon recipe, grilled salmon with basil butter, and my honey bourbon glazed salmon!

How to Pan Sear Salmon

Cook salmon in a non-stick pan or cast iron skillet with olive oil or butter on medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes per side for medium rare and 4-5 minutes for medium. For best results, salmon should be cooked to around 125°F to 135°F for best results. Cooking salmon to 145°F and above will start to dry the fish out. A digital thermometer should be used in the thickest part of the fish. Note, the fish will continue to cook after it’s been removed from the heat.

For this recipe, in particular, I highly recommend pan-searing or grilling the salmon over baking. Pan-seared salmon delivers a crispier caramelized crust that better complements the texture of the creamy avocado sauce. A creamy sauce calls for a crispier salmon recipe.

Now, for all of you who may be intimidated by cooking seafood. Fear not, salmon is one of the EASIEST entrees to cook. It tastes great flakey or silky and juicier in the center. I like salmon with a crispy outside and a medium center. Always start with a hot pan so a crust has time to develop.

Creamy Avocado Sauce

Avocado sauce is the perfect simple sauce for pan-searedsalmon. It tastes like a combination of pesto and creamy avocado. The foundation of the sauce is fresh avocado with added cream and olive oil to make the sauce more spreadable. The basil and tangy lemon give the sauce a lot of freshness and flavor.

There are a few ways you can make avocado sauce. I usually use a regular blender, but a Ninja single-serve blender or NutriBullet will do the trick in a pinch. If the sauce feels a little too thick, you can add a VERY small splash of water or use extra lemon juice. If you don’t have lemon, lime juice works too!

Can I Make The Sauce Ahead of Time?

Yes, you can. Just seal it very tightly with plastic wrap actually touching the surface of the sauce so there is zero air exposure and keep it refrigerated. Oxygen will start to brown the avocado in the sauce. Do not make the sauce any sooner than the morning of serving.

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