This easy salmon steak recipe makes perfectly seasoned, tender steaks! Shower with spices and spritz with lemon for a standout meal.

Got a beautiful salmon steak and not sure how to cook it? This unique piece of fish is rich and meaty, making an impressive and fun dinner idea. We were pleasantly surprised the first time we tasted one, and it’s a nice alternative to the traditional salmon fillet. This recipe comes out perfectly seasoned, cooked with a mixture of lemon, butter and olive oil and a delicious mix of spices!

Ingredients in this salmon steak recipe

What is a salmon steak? A salmon steak is cut perpendicular to the spine, whereas a salmon fillet is cut parallel to the spine. It is thicker and tastes richer and meatier than a fillet. Salmon steaks are typically sold bone in, so you’ll need to remove the bones before serving. It makes an impressive alternative to a fillet, and it works both pan fried or grilled.

For this salmon steak recipe, you’ll season the steaks with a mix of savory spices, then pan sear them until tender. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

Salmon steaks
Smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, cumin, salt
Butter
Olive oil
Lemon juice

Tips for deboning salmon steaks

There are three types of bones to remove in salmon steaks: rib bones that run along the cavity, pin bones on the sides, and vertebrae in the center. Use a fillet knife or boning knife for the large bones and a fish bone tweezer to pull out the smaller bones. Watch this video for how to debone salmon steaks.

How to cook salmon steak

This salmon steak recipe has instructions for pan searing, but it also works on the grill! Here’s how to cook this unique cut of fish:

Bring to room temperature: Allow the salmon steaks to stand at room temperature before cooking, about 15 to 20 minutes.
Season: Mix the salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and cumin in a small bowl. Pat the salmon dry with a clean towel. Rub the seasoning mix on both sides of the salmon steaks.
Pan sear: Heat a large skillet over medium high heat and add the butter and olive oil. When butter is melted, add the salmon steaks and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until cooked about halfway to the center of the thick part of the salmon. Flip the salmon, tilt the pan down slightly and quickly spoon the pan juices over the top of the fish a few times. Drizzle with the lemon juice and spoon the pan juices a few times again.
Finish: Cook for 2 to 5 minutes, depending on the thickness, until just tender and pink at the center. The internal temperature should be between 125 to 130°F when measured in the center.

Alternative: grill it!

Salmon steaks work well grilled as well! Follow the same seasoning in the recipe below. Then do the following:

Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (375 to 450°F).
Grill the salmon skin side up for 5 minutes (where the flames aren’t directly touching the fish), until grill marks appear and it releases from the grates.
Flip and cook another 2 to 5 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon, until flaky and just pink at the thickest portion and the internal temperature is 125 to 130°F. (Salmon varies in thickness, so the cook time is different based on each piece of fish.) Allow to rest for a few minutes, then serve.

More salmon recipes

Love salmon? Here are a few more salmon recipes that work with fillets and canned versions of this tasty protein:

Try an irresistible Salmon Rice Crunch Bowl
Opt for Easy Marinated Salmon
Go for simple and elegant Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Salmon
Try fast and easy Salmon Croquettes with canned salmon
Opt for Honey Garlic Salmon

This salmon steak recipe is…

Gluten-free and pescatarian.