Skillet Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon

This is the kind of salmon recipe that proves a simple seafood dinner can still have plenty of flavor. Golden seared salmon gets bathed in a warm lemon garlic butter right in the skillet, coming together in just 20 minutes with minimal ingredients but maximum flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Simple ingredients, big flavor. Butter, garlic, and lemon are all it takes to make this salmon shine.
• That golden, buttery finish. Spooning the melted garlic butter over the salmon as it cooks builds flavor in every bite.
• Ready in 20 minutes. A quick, elegant dinner that doesn’t require much effort.
• Naturally gluten-free and low-carb. Easy to fit into a variety of eating styles.

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets, about 6 oz each
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice and zest of 1 lemon
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

How to Make Skillet Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon

1. Prepare the salmon. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and black pepper. Keeping the salmon dry helps it develop a beautiful golden exterior.

2. Sear the salmon. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the salmon skin side down if using skin-on fillets. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until golden and the salmon releases easily from the skillet.

3. Flip the fillets. Carefully turn the salmon and continue cooking the second side, keeping the heat steady so the center stays tender and juicy.

4. Add the lemon garlic butter. Add the butter, minced garlic, and lemon juice to the skillet. As the garlic butter melts and foams, spoon it repeatedly over the salmon. Cook for another 3 to 4 minutes, until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily.

5. Finish and serve. Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle the lemon zest and fresh parsley over the salmon, then spoon plenty of warm lemon garlic butter from the skillet over each fillet before serving.

Tips for the Best Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon

• Pat the salmon completely dry before searing. This is essential for developing a good golden crust instead of steaming in the pan.
• Don’t move the salmon too soon. Let it cook undisturbed until it releases easily from the skillet, which signals it’s ready to flip.
• Baste generously with the garlic butter. Spooning it over repeatedly builds rich flavor into the fish as it finishes cooking.
• Keep the heat steady. Medium heat throughout helps the salmon cook evenly without burning the butter.

What to Serve with Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon

This salmon pairs beautifully with rice, roasted vegetables, or a simple side salad. Crusty bread is also a nice addition for soaking up any extra garlic butter.

Frequently Asked Questions