Description
This easy salmon recipe features flaky salmon fillets coated in a rich, tangy garlic lemon butter sauce. It’s a quick and elegant meal perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each, skin-on or skinless)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (plus more for garnish)
- Optional: lemon slices for serving
Instructions
- Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and black pepper on both sides.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Place salmon fillets skin-side down (if using skin-on). Cook for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden and opaque. Remove salmon from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Once melted, stir in minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Pour in fresh lemon juice and zest, stirring to combine. Let sauce bubble gently for about 1 minute.
- Return cooked salmon to skillet. Spoon garlic lemon butter sauce over each fillet, warming through for 1-2 minutes. Sprinkle parsley on top and garnish with lemon slices if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For skin-on salmon, start by searing the skin-side down for crispier skin.
- Adjust lemon juice and zest to your preference for tanginess.
- Feel free to add a splash of white wine to the sauce for extra flavor.
- Garnish with extra parsley or lemon slices for a beautiful presentation.
- This garlic lemon butter salmon recipe is best served fresh.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Seared
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 100mg