How to Make Crispy Salmon Skin (Every Time) — All-Star Academy

Learn how to make crispy salmon skin like an All-Star.
Crispy Salmon

©2015 Food Network

2015 Food Network

By: Leah Brickley

Who else is super excited that Joseph’s striped bass entree made him the winner of All-Star Academy? It looked delicious (though we thought Vanessa’s did too) and judge Curtis Stone certainly confirmed that it was. But Joseph didn’t escape without some constructive criticism — the skin on his striped bass could have been a little crispier. So, in honor of Joseph attending culinary school with his winnings, here’s a little lesson in crispy fish skin.

We used salmon (it’s a fattier fish and the skin crisps up better).

  • Use a large skillet: More room means less crowding and no steaming, which can make the skin soggy.
  • Oil and salt: Coat the skillet with a thin layer of oil, then add a generous shower of salt (the salt helps pull moisture out of the skin while seasoning) and heat over medium-high heat.
  • Restraint: Add your salmon fillet (any size or shape), skin-side down, once the oil is shimmering. Cook undisturbed, adjusting the heat if you need to so that the skin doesn’t burn. Watch as the dark color of the salmon flesh turns pink, starting from the bottom. Once the very top of the fillet has just turned pink, flip the salmon (if yours is stuck, it might just need another quick minute or so to render fat from the skin), remove the skillet from the heat and let the salmon finish cooking.

Next Up

What's in the Can? — All-Star Academy: The Competition Continues

Food Network Kitchen reveals what's actually in your favorite can of tuna so you can cook like an All-Star.

All-Star Academy: The Competition Continues in Food Network Kitchen

We decided to try last week's savory marshmallow challenge from All-Star Academy in our own test kitchen. Here are the results.

All-Star Academy Fan Vote: Support Your Favorite Home Cook

Vote for your favorite home cook competing in the finale of All-Star Academy on Sunday, April 19 at 9|8c.

Go Fry an Egg — All-Star Academy: The Competition Continues

The chefs of Food Network Kitchen teach you how to cook the perfect fried egg worthy of All-Star Academy.

Chat with All-Star Academy Mentor Curtis Stone on Facebook

Find out how you can chat with All-Star Academy mentor Curtis Stone on Facebook.

An Exclusive Interview with the Winner of All-Star Academy

Find out which home cook won All-Star Academy and read the exclusive interview with the $50,000 winner.

Home Cook Cheat Sheet: Measurement Conversion Guide [INFOGRAPHIC] — All-Star Academy

Get this handy home cook's cheat sheet conversion guide so you can cook like one of the competitors on All-Star Academy.

The All-Star Academy Chefs Reveal Their Most-Influential Culinary Mentors

The All-Star Academy mentors reveal their mentors, those who made a difference in their lives, personally and professionally.

What Is Harissa? And 5 Ways to Use It — All-Star Academy

Learn all the different ways you can use harissa so you can cook just like an All-Star.

The All-Star Academy Mentors Talk Competitive Strategy — and Some Serious Smack

The mentors on All-star Academy share the strategies they'll be using in order to win the competition with their teams of home cooks.