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Pan-Seared Garlic Butter Salmon with Lemon Garlic Sauce

A perfectly cooked fillet of Garlic Butter Salmon with Lemon Garlic Sauce resting in a pool of buttery sauce.
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Prepare moist, flaky salmon fillets pan-seared to perfection and finished with a bright, rich lemon garlic butter sauce. This recipe is quick enough for a weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 (6 oz) salmon fillets, skin on or off
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • For the Garlic Butter Baste:
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • For the Lemon Garlic Sauce:
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  3. Place the salmon fillets skin-side down (if using skin-on) in the hot skillet. Sear undisturbed for 4 to 5 minutes until the skin is crisp or a nice crust forms on the bottom.
  4. Flip the salmon fillets. Reduce the heat to medium-low.
  5. Add 4 tablespoons of butter, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 teaspoon of dried parsley to the skillet around the fish. As the butter melts, tilt the pan and spoon the melted garlic butter over the salmon continuously for 2 minutes.
  6. Remove the salmon from the skillet and set it aside on a plate. Cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
  7. Wipe out the skillet if necessary, or use a small saucepan. Add the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter and 2 minced garlic cloves. Cook over medium heat until the butter melts and the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. Do not let the garlic brown.
  8. Remove the pan from the heat. Whisk in the fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley. Add red pepper flakes if you are using them.
  9. Return the salmon to the skillet briefly to coat with the sauce, or spoon the sauce generously over the fillets on the serving plates. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For moist salmon, avoid overcooking; the internal temperature should reach 145°F.
  • You can bake the salmon instead: After searing both sides for 2 minutes each, transfer the skillet to a preheated oven at 400°F for 6 to 8 minutes, basting halfway through.
  • Serve this salmon with roasted asparagus or steamed rice to soak up the extra sauce.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spoonswirl.com/garlic-butter-salmon-with-lemon-garlic-sauce/