Description
Fresh salmon fillets get a beautiful golden crust in this pan seared salmon with lemon garlic cream sauce that comes together in just 20 minutes. The rich, tangy cream sauce with garlic and fresh lemon perfectly complements the fish for an easy dinner that tastes restaurant-worthy.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Fish:
- 2 salmon fillets
Cooking Fats and Aromatics:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce and Seasonings:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
- Salt
- Pepper
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Generously sprinkle 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper across both salmon fillets, ensuring even seasoning on all surfaces.
- Pour 2 tablespoons olive oil into a large skillet, heating over medium-high heat until the surface shimmers slightly, approximately 2 minutes.
- Carefully place salmon fillets skin-side down into the hot skillet, allowing each piece to sear for exactly 5 minutes without moving them, which helps create a crispy golden exterior.
- Gently turn the salmon with a spatula, cooking the opposite side for 3-4 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 145°F at the thickest point.
- Transfer salmon to a clean plate, keeping it warm while preparing the sauce.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium and add 2 minced garlic cloves, stirring constantly for 60 seconds to prevent burning.
- Pour 1 cup heavy cream into the skillet, incorporating the juice and zest from 1 whole lemon, whisking smoothly to combine all ingredients.
- Allow the sauce to simmer for 2-3 minutes, watching it thicken and develop a rich, creamy consistency.
- Return salmon to the skillet, spooning the lemon-garlic cream sauce generously over each fillet to coat completely.
- Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley across the top for a bright, fresh garnish before serving immediately.
Notes
- Choose salmon fillets with even thickness so they cook uniformly and prevent uneven doneness.
- Let salmon rest at room temperature for 10 minutes before cooking to ensure more consistent searing and prevent tough texture.
- Use a cast-iron or stainless steel skillet for the best golden-brown crust and delicious caramelization on the salmon’s surface.
- Check salmon’s internal temperature reaches 145°F for perfect doneness without overcooking, which can make the fish dry and tough.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 11-13 minutes
- Category: Salmon
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 850 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 75 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 45 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg