🍋 Lemon Butter Salmon
Lemon Butter Salmon is a simple, elegant dish featuring tender salmon fillets cooked in a rich garlic-lemon butter sauce. It’s quick to make, flavorful, and perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
🐟 Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Zest of ½ lemon
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- Optional: 2 tbsp white wine or chicken broth
👩🍳 Instructions
Stovetop Method
1️⃣ Prepare salmon: Pat fillets dry and season with salt and pepper.
2️⃣ Cook salmon: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place salmon skin-side down and cook 4–5 minutes. Flip and cook another 3–4 minutes until just cooked through. Remove and set aside.
3️⃣ Make sauce: Lower heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds (do not brown).
4️⃣ Add lemon: Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, and optional wine/broth. Simmer 1–2 minutes.
5️⃣ Finish: Return salmon to the pan and spoon sauce over fillets. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with lemon slices.
Oven-Baked Option
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place salmon in a baking dish and pour melted butter, garlic, and lemon over top.
- Bake 12–15 minutes, depending on thickness.
- Optional: Broil 1–2 minutes for slightly crispy edges.
🌟 Tips for Perfect Salmon
- Internal temperature: 125–130°F for medium; salmon continues cooking after removing from heat.
- Crisp skin: Pat skin dry and sear in a hot pan.
- Flavor: Fresh lemon and garlic make the sauce bright and aromatic.
- Sides: Pairs well with asparagus, roasted potatoes, rice pilaf, or a light salad.
I can also provide:
- Creamy lemon butter salmon
- Honey garlic lemon salmon
- Air fryer lemon butter salmon
Do you want the creamy lemon butter version?
