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Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe

Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe


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4.5 from 14 reviews

  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Luxurious garlic butter salmon delivers restaurant-quality seafood straight to home kitchens with minimal effort. Rich Mediterranean flavors and silky butter sauce promise a quick, elegant dinner you’ll savor down to the last delicious bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 4 salmon fillets (about 6 ounces or 170 grams each)

Flavor Enhancers:

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley (or fresh, chopped)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste

Garnish:

  • Lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions

  1. Thoroughly dry salmon fillets with paper towels, ensuring surfaces are moisture-free for optimal searing.
  2. Generously season both sides of salmon with salt and freshly ground black pepper, creating a flavor foundation.
  3. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high temperature, allowing pan to reach optimal cooking temperature before adding butter.
  4. Melt butter in hot skillet, creating a golden, bubbling surface that will enhance salmon’s crispy exterior.
  5. Carefully place salmon fillets skin-side down, allowing undisturbed cooking for 4-5 minutes to develop a perfect golden-brown crust.
  6. Gently flip fillets using a spatula, revealing beautifully caramelized skin.
  7. Immediately introduce minced garlic and fresh lemon juice to the skillet, creating an aromatic and zesty environment.
  8. Continue cooking for 3-4 minutes, continuously spooning melted garlic butter over salmon to infuse rich, complex flavors.
  9. Check salmon’s doneness by ensuring internal temperature reaches 145°F and flesh becomes opaque and flaky.
  10. Transfer salmon to serving plates, drizzling remaining garlic butter across the surface.
  11. Garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley and accompany with bright lemon wedges for a citrusy accent.

Notes

  • Moisture Matters: Pat salmon completely dry before cooking to ensure a crispy, golden-brown exterior that seals in delicious flavors.
  • Garlic Timing: Add minced garlic towards the end of cooking to prevent burning and maintain its sweet, aromatic profile.
  • Temperature Control: Use medium-high heat to create a perfect sear without overcooking the delicate salmon flesh.
  • Dairy-Free Swap: Replace butter with olive oil or coconut oil for a lactose-free version that still delivers incredible taste and moisture.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 385
  • Sugar: 0g
  • Sodium: 50mg
  • Fat: 28g
  • Saturated Fat: 17g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 1g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 34g
  • Cholesterol: 100mg