Description
Garlic Butter Salmon is a quick and easy dish featuring succulent salmon fillets cooked to perfection with a rich, flavorful garlic butter sauce. Ready in under 20 minutes, this recipe offers a juicy texture, bold garlicky taste, and a bright hint of lemon, making it ideal for healthy weeknight dinners or impressing guests effortlessly.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 fresh salmon fillets, skin-on
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 garlic cloves, freshly minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Prep Your Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry thoroughly using paper towels to ensure a crispy exterior when seared. Season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the natural flavors.
- Sear the Salmon: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. When hot, place the salmon fillets skin-side down. Cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until the skin is crisp and golden brown. Carefully flip and cook the other side for 2-3 minutes until almost cooked through.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: Reduce heat to medium. Add unsalted butter to the pan and let it melt. Stir in freshly minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic. Squeeze fresh lemon juice into the butter for bright acidity.
- Baste and Finish Cooking: Continuously spoon the garlic butter sauce over the salmon to keep it moist and infuse it with flavor. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the salmon beautifully.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the salmon from the skillet and spoon any remaining garlic butter sauce over the top. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley for a fresh herbal aroma and a splash of color. Serve immediately while warm and juicy.
Notes
- Let salmon rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before cooking to ensure even cooking.
- Avoid overcooking; salmon should be slightly translucent in the center for optimal juiciness.
- Always use fresh minced garlic for the best flavor.
- Use a heavy skillet or cast iron pan for better searing results compared to thinner pans.
- Spoon garlic butter sauce over the salmon generously during cooking for maximum flavor infusion.
- Let cooked salmon rest for a minute before serving to retain its juices.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Searing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salmon fillet (about 6 oz)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Garlic Butter Salmon, Quick Salmon Recipe, Easy Salmon, Healthy Salmon Dinner, Garlic Salmon
