Seafood lovers are happy to know that fire cooking my Lemon Garlic Salmon recipe is easy. You no longer need to fear making fish over the fire.

From start to finish, you are able to get all the smoky flavor you love from the fire into a delicious and juicy cut of fish.

salmon in cast iron skillet

Post sponsored by Cowboy Charcoal

Why This Recipe Works?

Truth is that this fatty fish is full of rich earthy and sweet flavor, especially when it is cooked in cast iron. My Lemon Garlic Salmon is made to be cooked over the fire in a cast iron pan.

Salmon creates a naturally amazing crust from the heat of the pan. It melts the fat into the meat, leaving it nice and juicy. This leaves you with a meaty fish with a cartelized outside.

salmon on the skillet

I like lemon and garlic in my salmon because it is both zesty and tangy. I love the bite of citrus on the front of the palate before I taste the meaty tenderness of the fish.

My Lemon Garlic Salmon recipe melts in your mouth when it is cooked for a few minutes over the fire.

It is one of my favorite fish cooking dishes to cook. Top it off with a little bit of parsley, and you are ready to chow down!

Recipe Ingredients

  • Skin on salmon filets
  • Lemon
  • Garlic salt
  • 1Fresh parsley
  • Butter

Step By Step Instructions

This is a quick and simple recipe!

First, start by lighting your Cowboy Charcoal and letting it get ready for cooking. After about 10 to 15 minutes, you should be ready to go! Spread the coals into your grill an allow the grill and skillet to pre-heat another 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, lather the salmon with the garlic salt. Squeeze 1/2 of the lemon juice over top and allow the fish to rest for 5 minutes.

When the skillet is hot, place the salmon in the pan skin side down. After the salmon has cooked until almost completely done, about 8 to 10 minutes, flip it and finish it off by cooking the meat side down another 2 to 3 minutes.
Remove the salmon from the heat and serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and minced parsley.

Recipe FAQs

How Can I Prevent My Salmon From Sticking?

A well seasoned cast iron pan helps prevent the salmon from sticking.

Can I Cook This In The Oven?

You can cook this dish in the oven, tho we recommend stove top for a great sear if you can’t cook this over the fire.

How Long Should Salmon Be Cooked?

Salmon should be cooked until it reaches 140 degrees F internally according to the USDA. Some people prefer salmon more medium rare and others prefer it more flakey and well done.

Can I Use Frozen Salmon?

You can use frozen salmon, just make sure to thaw it completely before cooking.

Expert Tips & Substitutions

Once you start cooking, this recipe goes quick. So have your side dishes and all your ingredients ready to go once the salmon hits the cast iron.

When it comes to cooking salmon on cast iron, we find filets help us manage the portions without ripping or tearing the fish while trying to flip.

You can use additional spices in this recipe to jazz it up! We love our Chipotle Garlic!

What To Serve With This Recipe:

Serve this salmon dish with

  • Rice
  • Pasta
  • Corn on the cob
  • fried potatoes
tailgating with cowboy

The time to get outside cooking over a fire is now. So, break out your Cowboy® Hardwood Lump Charcoals and your favorite cast iron skillet!

Leave the modern world behind and let’s get cooking my Lemon Garlic Salmon!

Cast Iron

Cast Iron Skillet Salmon Recipe

Zesty and citrus flavor perfect for a hearty salmon filet.
Author:Derek Wolf
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 2 people

Ingredients 

  • 2 fresh salmon filets 5-6 oz each with skin on
  • 1 lemon cut in quarters
  • 1 tbsp of garlic salt
  • 1/2 cup of freshly chopped parsley
  • 1/4 cup of butter

Instructions 

  • Light Cowboy® Hardwood Lump Charcoals in charcoal chimney and let burn for 10-15 minutes
  • Spread hot coals over grilling area and preheat grill & cast iron pan for approximately 10 minutes.
  • On a plate, lather salmon flesh side with garlic salt and squeeze two quarters of lemon on top. Let salmon sit for 5 minutes before cooking.
  • Once skillet is hot, place all of the butter into the pan and let melt
  • Place salmon skin side down into skillet for about 6-8 minutes
  • Flip salmon on to flesh side to cook for 2-3 minutes
  • Flip salmon back to skin side down and squeeze the last bit of lemon on top
  • Place fresh parsley on top and enjoy!

Notes

Gear: Cowboy Charcoal, cast iron skillet and tongs.

Derek Wolf

Derek is the driving force behind Over the Fire Cooking. He started cooking with live fire in 2016 and decided to start a social media page so his friends and family could follow the journey. Fast forward to today and Over the Fire Cooking has spread across multiple platforms with millions now following Derek's fire cooking journey. He's a southern fellow who enjoys everything from classic BBQ to Central and South American inspired dishes. Whatever he's cooking up, it's guaranteed to be so freakin' delicious!

5 from 1 vote

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This website is so underrated and everything I have tried is literally so good wether it’s inside on your cast iron or over some coals with the cast iron outside!!! Keep it up bud!