A quick, tasty salmon dish you can make any night. It smells of garlic, butter, and lemon.
introduction
This Garlic Butter Lemon Salmon is fast, simple, and full of flavor. You cook it in a pan and finish with a bright lemon butter sauce. If you like easy garlic-butter meals, try this slow cooker beef bites recipe for another simple dish: High Protein Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites.
why make this recipe
Make this recipe when you want a healthy dinner that tastes great and takes little time. The sauce is rich but fresh from lemon. It goes well with rice, vegetables, or potatoes. For a simple side idea, you can also serve easy pancakes for a cozy brunch: Buttermilk Pancake Recipe.
how to make Garlic Butter Lemon Salmon
Ingredients :
- 4 salmon fillets (skin-on or skinless)
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic (minced)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and cracked black pepper to taste
- Lemon slices (for garnish)
- Optional: 1/2 tsp chili flakes for heat
Directions :
- Pat salmon dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear fillets for 3–4 minutes per side until crispy on the outside and juicy inside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet and toss in the minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in lemon juice, zest, and parsley. Let it bubble for 30 seconds.
- Nestle the salmon back into the pan, spoon the lemon garlic butter over the fillets, and simmer for another 1–2 minutes.
- Top with fresh lemon slices and extra parsley. Serve with rice, veggies, or roasted potatoes.
If you want a full brunch or a different side idea, see this pancake recipe for a sweet start: Buttermilk Pancake Recipe.
how to serve Garlic Butter Lemon Salmon
Serve the salmon hot. Spoon extra lemon garlic butter over each fillet. Add lemon slices and parsley for color. Good sides: steamed vegetables, rice, simple salad, or roasted potatoes.
how to store Garlic Butter Lemon Salmon
- Fridge: Cool fully, put in an airtight container, and store up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently in a low oven or in a covered pan on low heat. Do not overcook.
- Freezer: Wrap tightly and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw in fridge before reheating.
tips to make Garlic Butter Lemon Salmon
- Pat the fish dry so it sears well and gets a nice crust.
- Use medium-high heat for the first sear, then lower the heat to finish cooking.
- Don’t burn the garlic — cook it just until fragrant.
- Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best bright flavor.
- If you like heat, add 1/2 tsp chili flakes when you add the garlic.
variation (if any)
- Oven method: Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10–12 minutes, then spoon sauce over the top.
- Add herbs: Swap parsley for dill or basil.
- Creamy: Stir in 1–2 tbsp cream for a richer sauce.
- Sheet pan: Put salmon and vegetables on one pan and bake for easy cleanup.
FAQs
Q: How do I know when salmon is cooked?
A: The salmon flakes easily with a fork and is opaque inside. It should still be moist.
Q: Can I use frozen salmon?
A: Yes. Thaw it fully in the fridge before cooking for best results.
Q: Can I skip butter?
A: You can use more olive oil instead, but butter gives the sauce its rich taste.
Q: Do I need to remove the skin?
A: No. Cook skin-on for a crisp bottom. You can remove skin after cooking if you prefer.
Q: Can I use other fish?
A: Yes. This method works for trout, cod, or halibut with slight cook time changes.
Conclusion
For a sheet-pan take on lemon garlic butter salmon, see this recipe for a simple oven method: Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon (Sheet Pan Recipe) – Averie Cooks.
Garlic Butter Lemon Salmon
Ingredients
Method
- Pat salmon dry and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear fillets for 3–4 minutes per side until crispy on the outside and juicy inside.
- Reduce heat to medium.
- Add butter to the skillet and toss in the minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in lemon juice, zest, and parsley. Let it bubble for 30 seconds.
- Nestle the salmon back into the pan, spoon the lemon garlic butter over the fillets, and simmer for another 1–2 minutes.
- Top with fresh lemon slices and extra parsley. Serve with rice, veggies, or roasted potatoes.