Description
Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon Fillets are a quick and elegant dish featuring juicy salmon fillets seared and glazed in a zesty garlic-lemon butter sauce. Perfect for weeknights or special occasions, this recipe is ready in under 20 minutes and pairs well with rice, veggies, or salad.
Ingredients
4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each, skin-on or skinless)
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tbsp)
Zest of 1 lemon
1–2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Lemon slices, for serving
Instructions
- Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place salmon skin-side down and sear for 4–5 minutes until golden and crisp. Flip and cook for another 2–3 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. In the same skillet, melt the butter and sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds.
- Stir in lemon juice and zest, letting the sauce bubble for 30 seconds to reduce slightly.
- Return salmon to the skillet and spoon the sauce over the fillets. Cook for another 1–2 minutes while basting.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices. Serve immediately with your choice of sides.
Notes
Add red pepper flakes to the butter for a spicy kick.
For a dairy-free version, use plant-based butter or additional olive oil.
To bake instead of sear, roast salmon at 400°F (200°C) for 12–15 minutes, then drizzle with sauce.
Swap lemon with lime and parsley with cilantro for a citrusy variation.
Top with sautéed spinach or asparagus for a heartier meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Seared
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet (approx. 6 oz)
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
