Description
Salmon with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce brings restaurant-quality elegance right to your dinner table without complicated techniques. Tender fish gets dressed in a silky, tangy sauce that makes weeknight cooking feel like a special occasion, delivering maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 salmon fillets
Main Cooking Fats and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Supporting Ingredients:
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 lemon (juice and zest)
- 2 tablespoons chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
Instructions
- Create a pristine surface for your salmon by thoroughly patting 4 (6 oz) fillets with paper towels, ensuring maximum moisture removal. Generously season each side with salt and pepper.
- Warm 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, around 375°F. Gently place salmon fillets into the hot pan, positioning them skin-side down.
- Cook salmon for precisely 4-5 minutes without moving, developing a golden crust. Carefully flip and continue cooking an additional 3-4 minutes until internal temperature reaches 145°F.
- Transfer salmon to a clean plate. Reduce skillet heat to medium and melt 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, stirring in 4 minced garlic cloves for 30-45 seconds.
- Pour juice from 1 whole lemon and sprinkle its zest into the butter, adding 2 tablespoons chicken broth. Simmer sauce for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Nestle salmon back into the skillet, spooning warm sauce over each fillet. Allow everything to combine for an additional 1 minute.
- Garnish with 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley just before serving, ensuring your sauce coats the fish evenly.
Notes
- Patting salmon dry before seasoning ensures a crispy, golden-brown exterior that locks in moisture.
- Choose fresh, high-quality salmon with a bright color and firm texture for the best flavor and texture.
- For a gluten-free version, replace regular flour with almond flour or cornstarch when creating the sauce.
- If serving for meal prep, store the salmon and sauce separately to prevent the fish from getting soggy, and reheat gently to maintain its delicate texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Salmon
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 0.3 g
- Sodium: 140 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1.5 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg