Somon Piccata Recipe
Salmon Piccata: One of the Best Recipes Where Lemon Sauce Meets Fish Perfectly
Piccata, a classic Italian dish traditionally made with chicken, is known for its tangy, salty, and lightly buttery flavor. It’s usually prepared with chicken or veal, but I wanted to take a different route this time and try it with salmon. We all know how well lemon pairs with fish — and when combined with capers and butter in this sauce, it creates a truly delightful flavor. If you’re looking for new ways to cook salmon, this Salmon Piccata is definitely one recipe you should try.
What Is Piccata and Where Does It Come From?
The word *piccata* comes from Italian, derived from the verb *piccare*, which means “to cut” or “to slice.” In Italy, this dish is typically made with veal that’s lightly floured, pan-fried in olive oil, and then topped with a sauce made from lemon juice, butter, and capers. So essentially, piccata is a cooking technique: first you coat the meat in flour, then you fry it, and finally you finish it with a flavorful sauce. This same method can be used to give chicken, fish, or even vegetables a whole new taste.
Why Salmon?
Apparently, Americans had the same idea, as the dish is more commonly made with chicken rather than veal in the United States. The classic chicken piccata recipe — which I’ve shared before — is beloved especially for its lemony sauce. But this time, I replaced the chicken with salmon. The natural richness of the fish pairs beautifully with lemon and capers, creating a completely different flavor profile. Fatty fish like salmon go perfectly with sharp, citrusy sauces like this one. The result is a dish that’s both light and satisfying. If you enjoy experimenting with salmon recipes, this one will bring a fresh new option to your kitchen.
When to Make Salmon Piccata
This dish is ideal for both special dinners and quick, delicious weekday meals. Since it’s a one-pan recipe, cleanup is minimal. You can create a wonderful meal by serving it with sides like potato salad, crispy fries, mixed green salad, or plain pasta.
If you decide to serve it with pasta, you can use the sauce from the fish as a flavorful pasta sauce as well.
Enjoy!
Somon Piccata Recipe with Video
Ingredients
- 500 g salmon fillet,
- 1 tsp flour,
- 3 tsp capers,
- Juice of ½ lemon,
- 1 clove garlic,
- 4–5 tbsp olive oil,
- 1 tsp butter,
- Salt,
- Black pepper,
- A pinch of dill.
Preparation
- Slice the salmon,
- Season with salt and black pepper,
- Heat olive oil in a large pan and place the fillets skin side up,
- Once the undersides are nicely browned, flip them and cook the skin side until golden, then remove from the pan,
- Finely chop the garlic and sauté it in the same pan,
- Add the flour and stir,
- Pour in the lemon juice and stir until smooth,
- Add the capers and simmer until the sauce thickens,
- Stir in the butter, salt, and pepper,
- Return the salmon to the pan and spoon the sauce over the fillets,
- Sprinkle with chopped dill before serving.
Bon appétit!