The internet is full of viral hacks that are meant to make cooking easier. But if I'm being honest, I approach many of these hacks with some skepticism. Like, does balsamic vinegar and seltzer really make a healthy dupe for Coca Cola? Often times, the lofty promises made in these short videos aren't fulfilled when we try them in real life.
So when this salmon hack TikTok graced our feeds, our first instinct was to doubt how effective it might be:
In the video, user @erekasfood claims that parchment paper is the secret to getting perfectly crispy fish skin in the pan—with no sticking.
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If you've ever made salmon on the stovetop, you've probably experienced losing chunks of fish when trying to pry it off the pan. There are multiple methods to avoid this dilemma, but even seasoned chefs sometimes struggle with sticking.
This TikTok presents a game-changing solution to this widespread problem. But the question remained: does this hack actually work, or is it just another case of social media hype that won't deliver? I decided to put it to the test.
For my experiment, I grabbed a skin-on salmon filet, a small piece of parchment paper, neutral oil, and a stainless steel pan. For the sake of the experiment, I seasoned the fish with a hearty sprinkle of salt.
Per the TikTok's instructions, I heated oil directly in the pan over medium heat, then coated both sides of the parchment paper in the fat. Next, I gently placed the fish skin side down on top of the greased parchment paper.
And then, I waited (rather impatiently). I carefully pushed the parchment paper around in the pan, occasionally lifted the fish up with a spatula, and even poked the top of the fillet a few times to see if it was working.
To my surprise, it was! After a few minutes, I flipped the salmon over and finished cooking it on the other side. Any of the pesky juices that leaked out during cooking collected on the parchment paper—so cleaning the pan was completely hassle-free.
And the results? I'll let you see for yourself:
While one teeny-tiny spot was still a little flabby, the rest of the salmon skin was golden brown and crispy. Honestly, I was astounded.
Sure, you can carefully make sure your fish is completely dry, your pan is hot, and there's the right amount of oil in the pan. But if one tiny piece of parchment eliminates any guesswork, shouldn't it be a no-brainer?
Next time you make fish on the stovetop, you NEED to try this hack. You'll never cook salmon any other way.
Gabby Romero is Delish’s editorial assistant, where she writes stories about the latest TikTok trends, develops recipes, and answers any and all of your cooking-related questions. She loves eating spicy food, collecting cookbooks, and adding a mountain of Parmesan to any dish she can.
