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Bright Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon: Easy Spring Dinner

lemon garlic butter salmon - featured image
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A quick and easy spring dinner featuring pan-seared salmon in a bright lemon garlic butter sauce. This forgiving recipe comes together in under 20 minutes and is perfect for busy weeknights or impressing guests.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each, skin-on or skinless)
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (preferably European-style like Kerrygold)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large lemon, zested and juiced (about 2 tablespoons juice and 1 teaspoon zest)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Lemon slices (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Take salmon fillets out of fridge 10 minutes before cooking. Pat completely dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  2. Zest the lemon before juicing. Set zest and juice aside separately.
  3. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter. Swirl until butter melts and starts to foam.
  4. Place salmon fillets in the pan, skin-side down. Press gently with a spatula for 10 seconds. Cook without moving for 4-5 minutes until edges look opaque and skin is golden and crispy.
  5. Flip carefully using a fish spatula. Cook for another 2-3 minutes for medium doneness (salmon should flake easily but still be slightly translucent in center).
  6. Reduce heat to medium-low. Push salmon to one side. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter and minced garlic to empty space. Stir garlic constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  7. Add lemon juice and zest, swirling pan to combine. Let bubble for about 1 minute, spooning sauce over salmon.
  8. Remove pan from heat. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and spoon remaining sauce over salmon. Serve immediately with lemon slices.

Notes

Pat salmon completely dry for crispy skin. Add lemon juice at the very end to prevent toughness. Salmon continues cooking after removal (carryover cooking), so remove from heat when slightly underdone (125°F internal for medium). If pan is too small, cook salmon in two batches to avoid steaming.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon garlic butter salmon, easy salmon recipe, spring dinner, quick salmon, pan-seared salmon, lemon salmon, garlic butter salmon, 20 minute dinner

Find it online: https://perkypan.com/bright-lemon-garlic-butter-salmon-easy-spring-dinner/