Description
This Garlic Butter Salmon recipe features perfectly seared salmon fillets cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce, finished with fresh lemon juice and parsley for a bright, flavorful, and crispy-skinned dish served in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon
- 4 skin-on salmon fillets (about 6 oz each)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Garlic Butter Sauce
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 garlic cloves, freshly minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels to ensure the skin crisps up beautifully during cooking. Season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the natural flavors of the fish.
- Sear the Salmon: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Place the salmon fillets skin-side down in the pan, pressing gently to prevent the skin from curling. Cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes to achieve a golden, crispy skin.
- Flip and Add Garlic Butter: Carefully flip the salmon fillets over and reduce the heat to medium. Add the unsalted butter and freshly minced garlic to the pan. Spoon the melted garlic butter continuously over the salmon to infuse the fillets with rich garlic flavor. Continue cooking for 3-4 minutes, until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Finish with Lemon and Parsley: Remove the pan from heat and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the salmon. Sprinkle the chopped parsley on top for a fresh herbal note. Give the salmon one last spoonful of the garlic butter from the pan to seal in the flavors before serving.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh salmon with skin on to achieve a crispy texture.
- Do not move the salmon during the initial searing to allow the skin to crisp properly.
- If you prefer less garlic flavor, reduce the amount of minced garlic to 1-2 cloves.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the crispy skin and warm garlic butter sauce at its best.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Garlic Butter Salmon, Pan-Seared Salmon, Easy Salmon Recipe, Quick Dinner, Crispy Skin Salmon
