Garlic Butter Pan-Seared Salmon (Print)
Pan-seared salmon fillets topped with rich garlic butter and lemon sauce for an easy, elegant dinner.
# Ingredient list:
→ Fish
01 - 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each), skin on or off
→ Garlic Butter Sauce
02 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 lemon, zested and juiced
05 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
06 - 1 tbsp olive oil
07 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Garnish
08 - Lemon wedges, for serving
09 - Additional chopped parsley, optional
# Directions:
01 - Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place salmon fillets skin-side down and sear for 4–5 minutes until the skin is crispy and the fillet is nearly cooked through.
03 - Flip salmon and cook for another 2–3 minutes until just cooked to your preferred doneness. Remove from the skillet and set aside on a warm plate.
04 - In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add the butter and allow it to melt completely. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to let it brown.
05 - Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and half of the chopped parsley. Let the sauce simmer gently for 30 seconds to bring the flavors together.
06 - Return the salmon fillets to the skillet and spoon the garlic butter sauce generously over each piece. Cook for 1 more minute so the flavors meld.
07 - Transfer salmon to serving plates, drizzle with any remaining sauce from the pan, and garnish with fresh lemon wedges and the remaining chopped parsley.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The garlic butter sauce comes together in the same pan so every bit of flavor stays right where it belongs.
- Fifteen minutes of cooking time means you can pull this off on a busy evening without breaking a sweat.
02 -
- Burnt garlic turns bitter fast so keep the heat at medium and stay right by the pan when sautéing it.
- Overcooked salmon gets dry and chalky inside so pull it from the pan while the center is still slightly translucent.
03 -
- Press down gently on each fillet right after placing it in the pan to ensure full contact with the surface for an even sear.
- Baste the salmon by tilting the pan and spooning the garlic butter over the top repeatedly during the final minute for maximum flavor.