The TikTok Hack That Will Give You Crisp Salmon, Totally Mess-Free
If you're a fan of the silver, salty skin attached to your salmon, you know that when it comes to preparation, the crispier the better. Because as delicious as a perfectly crisp piece of skin-on salmon is, an undercooked one is equally as undesirable. No one wants slimy, soggy fish skin, right?
There are plenty of ways to get a nice crisp on that sliver of salmon, like pan-frying it. But achieving that perfectly crispy outer layer can be trickier than it looks. Maybe you've tried to pan-fry your salmon before and the skin stuck to the pan, or it took too long to get crispy and caused the fish to overcook. Pan-frying your salmon can deliver perfect results — if everything goes right.
Luckily, there's a hack for that. We find it the same place we go for all of those "why didn't I think of that" tips and tricks: TikTok. This one is as simple as can be; all it takes is some oil, a pan, and a piece of parchment paper to get that perfectly crisp salmon, every single time.
But first, parchment paper
Rather than place your salmon directly on a frying pan, this TikTok hack adds one extra step that saves a lot of fuss: parchment paper. As you heat the oil like you normally would to pan fry, take a piece of parchment paper (one large enough to fit your piece of fish), coat it in the oil, and leave it in your pan.
Once the skillet is properly heated, place your salmon skin side down on top of the parchment paper. From there, it's just a matter of letting the salmon cook on the paper undisturbed. After a few minutes, give the fish an easy flip to reveal its beautiful, perfectly crisp skin.
@erekasfood How-to get perfectly crispy fish skin using parchment paper! I found this hack @chefstepsseattle and I had to test it out. It worked perfectly! Check out Chef Steps Seattle for more tips. #kitchenhack #cookingtips #cookinghack #cheftips #fishhack #cookingvideos #howto #yum #fish
Why does this hack work so well? That trusty sheet of parchment paper that sits between the surface of the skillet and the piece of salmon not only helps it achieve an even sear but also ensures that the skin doesn't stick to the pan. So there's no fighting the piece of fish, and even better — no mess whatsoever.
The benefits of eating salmon skin
Salmon skin isn't just delicious (when it's cooked well), it's also a nutrient-rich part of the fish that comes with a whole slew of health benefits. So you definitely don't want to skip out on it.
Salmon is one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids, and its skin has an even higher concentration of these essential nutrients. That's because cold-water fish like salmon need fatty skin to keep them warm. Think of omega-3 fatty acids as the "good fats" your body needs — these polyunsaturated fats help your cells function, lower your blood pressure, support a healthy heart, raise your good cholesterol, and can even prevent diseases like Alzheimer's and certain cancers, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Aside from the endless benefits that come with omega-3s, salmon skin is also rich in other vitamins and minerals like vitamins B and D, phosphorus, and potassium — and on top of that, it's a great source of protein and it's packed with antioxidants, as noted by Healthline. All of that means a wide array of benefits for your whole body, from supporting healthy bones and skin to improving your metabolism and immune system.