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Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon Dinner Recipe

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4.4 from 50 reviews

Buttery, flaky salmon infused with bright lemon and fragrant garlic offers a perfect balance of richness and freshness for a quick and elegant dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Salmon

  • 2 salmon fillets (6 oz each)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper

Sauce

  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Season Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry and season both sides evenly with salt and pepper to enhance the natural flavors.
  2. Heat Skillet & Add Butter: Warm a skillet over medium heat and melt the butter to create a rich base for searing the salmon.
  3. Sear Salmon: Place the salmon fillets skin-side down and cook for about 3 minutes without moving them to get a nice sear; then carefully flip the fillets over.
  4. Add Garlic & Lemon: Add the minced garlic and lemon juice to the skillet, spooning the melted butter and lemon-garlic sauce repeatedly over the salmon to infuse flavor and keep it moist.
  5. Cook to Temperature: Continue cooking until the internal temperature of the salmon reaches 125–130°F (52–54°C) for medium doneness, resulting in tender and flaky fish.
  6. Garnish & Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley and lemon zest over the salmon before serving to add brightness and a fresh herbal note.

Notes

  • Wild salmon cooks faster than farmed salmon; adjust cooking times accordingly to avoid overcooking.
  • For dairy-free option, substitute butter with olive oil.
  • Adding a splash of white wine to the pan can enhance the depth of flavor.
  • Best eaten the same day for optimal freshness; refrigerate leftovers up to 2 days in an airtight container.