First, buy a meat thermometer. Stop guessing. You are not a psychic salmon whisperer. Stick the probe into the thickest part of the fillet—not touching the bone or the pan. Wait until it reads 125°F, then immediately pull it off the heat.
Here’s the tricky part: carryover cooking. The salmon’s internal temperature will rise another 5–10°F after you take it off the stove, grill, or oven. So if you pull it at 125°F, it might coast up to 130°F. Perfect. If you pull it at 145°F, you’re serving shoe leather.
Pan-searing? Cook the skin side down for 4–6 minutes on medium-high, flip, and cook 2–3 more minutes. Oven? Bake at 400°F for 12–15 minutes, but check with your thermometer—ovens lie.