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Lemon Butter Salmon

Lemon Butter Salmon
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A quick and easy Lemon Butter Salmon recipe that combines delicate, flaky salmon with a rich, zesty lemon butter sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this dish features fresh salmon fillets seared to perfection with a crispy skin, then coated with a bright and creamy lemon garlic butter sauce. Perfect for nutritious weeknight dinners or elegant meals, this recipe brings vibrant flavors and restaurant-quality results using just a handful of fresh ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale

Salmon

  • 4 fresh salmon fillets (skin-on, about 6 oz each)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Olive oil, 1-2 tablespoons

Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Juice of 1 fresh lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels to ensure the skin gets crispy when cooked. Season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to build flavor.
  2. Sear the Salmon: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place salmon fillets skin-side down first and press gently to prevent curling. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the skin is crispy and releases easily from the pan.
  3. Flip and Finish Cooking: Carefully flip the fillets and cook the other side for 3-4 minutes until salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
  4. Make the Lemon Butter Sauce: Remove the salmon and set aside. Reduce heat to medium, add butter and minced garlic to the same skillet, stirring continuously for about a minute until fragrant. Squeeze in fresh lemon juice and sprinkle with chopped parsley.
  5. Combine and Serve: Return the salmon fillets to the pan briefly to coat them in the lemon butter sauce. Spoon extra sauce over the fillets before plating for maximum flavor.

Notes

  • Choose high-quality, fresh wild-caught salmon for better flavor and texture.
  • Do not overcook the salmon; remove from heat when it flakes easily with a fork.
  • Ensure the salmon skin is dry and the pan is hot before cooking to get a crispy crust.
  • Use freshly squeezed lemon juice instead of bottled for the brightest flavor.
  • Allow the butter to brown slightly for a nutty, deeper flavor without burning.

Nutrition

Keywords: Lemon Butter Salmon, Quick Salmon Recipe, Pan-Seared Salmon, Healthy Salmon, Easy Fish Dinner, Gluten Free Salmon, Weeknight Dinner

Find it online: https://ninagourmet.com/lemon-butter-salmon/