Really Easy Brown Butter Salmon

This foolproof pan roast is on the table in minutes

Mark Bittman
Heated

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Salmon in a pan and on a plate.
Photo: Aya Brackett

People often fear the task of browning butter, but here’s one of the most foolproof cooking methods: Brown the food in a pan, then stick it in the oven until everything is done on the inside, too. Brown-Butter Salmon with Tomatoes and Capers literally takes minutes if you like the salmon a little underdone as I do and if you don’t, it only takes a couple minutes more.

Brown Butter Salmon With Tomatoes and Capers

Makes: 4 servings
Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • Salt and pepper
  • 4 thick salmon fillets or steaks (about ½ pounds total), skin on
  • 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved if you like
  • 1 tablespoon drained capers
  • Lemon wedges

Instructions

  1. Heat the oven to 475°F. Put the butter and a sprinkle of salt and pepper in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the foam subsides, add the salmon and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  2. Cook, undisturbed, until the salmon sizzles and the butter darkens, 2–3…

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Mark Bittman
Heated

Has published 30 books, including How to Cook Everything and VB6: The Case for Part-Time Veganism. Newsletter at markbittman.com.