Buttery, flaky salmon infused with bright lemon and fragrant garlic offers a perfect balance of richness and freshness for a quick and elegant dinner.
Author:Mari
Prep Time:5 minutes
Cook Time:10 minutes
Total Time:15 minutes
Yield:2 servings 1x
Category:Dinner
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:American
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
Season Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry and season both sides evenly with salt and pepper to enhance the natural flavors.
Heat Skillet & Add Butter: Warm a skillet over medium heat and melt the butter to create a rich base for searing the salmon.
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.
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.
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.
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.