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Perfect pan-seared salmon recipe with golden crust and creamy garlic lemon butter sauce on white plate

Salmon with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe

This salmon with garlic lemon butter sauce recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor in just 20 minutes. Perfectly seared salmon fillets are finished with a luscious garlic butter and lemon sauce, making this a foolproof, healthy, and elegant weeknight dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 salmon fillets 6 oz each
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp parsley chopped
  • 1 tbsp capers optional
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Pat salmon dry with paper towels. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Let rest 5 minutes.
  2. Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high. Place salmon skin-side up. Sear 4-5 minutes without moving.
  3. Flip fillets and cook 3-4 minutes until internal temperature reaches 145°F. Remove and tent with foil.
  4. Reduce heat to medium-low. Melt butter in same skillet. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds.
  5. Stir in lemon juice, capers, and red pepper flakes. Let sauce bubble 1 minute.
  6. Return salmon to pan. Spoon sauce over fillets.
  7. Sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

For a lighter option, replace butter with Greek yogurt. Substitute lime juice for lemon if desired. Use fresh parsley for best flavor, or 1 tsp dried if necessary.