Garlic Lemon Butter Salmon Recipe

This quick and easy Garlic Lemon Butter Salmon recipe is perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner. Pan-seared salmon fillets are cooked to perfection and finished with a simple, yet incredibly flavorful, garlic lemon butter sauce. It's a delicious and healthy seafood recipe ready in under 20 minutes!

Keyword Focus: Salmon Recipe, Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce, Pan Seared Salmon, Healthy Dinner, Quick Dinner, Easy Salmon, Seafood Recipe, Homemade.

Recipe Details:

Cuisine: American / Seafood
Course: Main Course
Prep Time: 5-10 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
Total Time: Approx. 15-22 minutes
Yields: 2-4 servings (depending on fillet size)
Dietary Info: Pescatarian, Gluten-Free (check ingredients)

Ingredients:

2-4 Salmon Fillets (about 4-6 oz each), skin on or off
1-2 tablespoons Olive Oil or Butter
Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper to taste

For the Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce:

1/4 cup Unsalted Butter
3-4 cloves Garlic, minced
Juice of 1/2 to 1 Lemon (adjust to taste)
2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley, chopped
Optional: A pinch of red pepper flakes

Equipment:

Paper towels
Large skillet (oven-safe if finishing in oven)
Measuring cups and spoons
Small bowl or just add directly to pan

Instructions:

Prepare Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets very dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper on all sides.
Sear Salmon: Heat the olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the salmon fillets to the skillet, skin-side down if using. Cook for 4-5 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and releases easily from the pan (if skin-on).
Flip & Cook: Flip the salmon fillets. Reduce heat to medium. Continue to cook for another 3-5 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the fillets. Remove the cooked salmon from the skillet and set aside.
Make Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce: Add the butter to the same skillet (no need to wash). Let it melt over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Finish Sauce: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired for a little heat. Swirl to combine into a glossy sauce.
Combine: Return the cooked salmon fillets to the skillet. Spoon the Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce over the top of each fillet to coat them.
Serve: Serve the Salmon with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce immediately. This dish pairs wonderfully with roasted vegetables, rice, or pasta.