Description
A quick and delicious pan-seared salmon recipe served with a flavorful garlic lemon butter sauce. This dish combines tender, perfectly cooked salmon fillets with a tangy, buttery sauce made from fresh garlic, lemon juice, and parsley, making it a perfect easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon
- 4 (6 oz) skinless salmon fillets (about 1-inch thick)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tsp olive oil
Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 3 Tbsp + 1 tsp unsalted butter, diced into 1 Tbsp pieces
- 1/2 tsp honey
- 2 Tbsp minced fresh parsley
- Lemon slices for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Rest the salmon: Remove salmon fillets from the refrigerator and allow them to rest at room temperature for 10 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Prepare the sauce: In a small saucepan, melt 1 teaspoon of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until lightly golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes. Pour in the chicken broth and fresh lemon juice. Let the sauce simmer until it has reduced by half (to about 3 tablespoons), around 3 minutes.
- Finish the sauce: Stir in the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter and honey. Whisk the sauce until well combined and then set it aside to keep warm.
- Season the salmon: Pat both sides of the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides to enhance flavor.
- Pan sear the salmon: Heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a heavy 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Carefully add the salmon fillets, cooking them about 4 minutes on the first side until the bottom turns golden brown.
- Flip and cook through: Flip the salmon fillets and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes on the opposite side, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve: Transfer the salmon to plates. Drizzle each serving generously with the garlic lemon butter sauce, sprinkle with minced parsley, and garnish with lemon slices if desired. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- This pan-seared salmon is one of the easiest and tastiest dinners you can prepare with minimal ingredients.
- The sauce can be prepared ahead and gently reheated before serving.
- Patting the salmon dry before cooking helps achieve a beautifully crisp crust.
- Use fresh lemon juice and parsley for the best bright flavors in the sauce.
- Adjust cooking time according to salmon thickness to avoid overcooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet (6 oz)
- Calories: 347 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 81 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 116 mg
