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Quick Garlic Butter Salmon with Lemon

Quick Garlic Butter Salmon with Lemon - featured image
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A lightning-fast, 15-minute stovetop salmon recipe featuring a rich, nutty garlic butter sauce and bright lemon juice. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish delivers restaurant-quality flavor using simple pantry staples.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 salmon fillets (about 6 ounces each)
  • 1 tablespoon neutral oil (avocado or light olive oil)
  • Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 to 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large lemon (zest and juice)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper. Let sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes.
  2. Zest the lemon, then juice it. Set zest and juice aside.
  3. Mince garlic finely and chop parsley.
  4. Heat neutral oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  5. Place salmon in the pan, skin-side down if using skin. Press gently to prevent curling. Cook for 4-5 minutes without moving to create a golden crust.
  6. Flip salmon carefully and cook for another 3-4 minutes until internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) or flakes easily with a fork. Remove from pan and tent with foil.
  7. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add butter to the same pan. Let melt and foam, then add minced garlic. Cook for 30-60 seconds, stirring constantly, until golden and fragrant.
  8. Remove pan from heat. Stir in lemon zest, half of the lemon juice, parsley, and red pepper flakes.
  9. Pour sauce over salmon and serve immediately with remaining lemon wedges.

Notes

Pat the salmon dry thoroughly to ensure a good sear rather than steaming. Watch the garlic closely as it burns quickly; if it starts to darken, remove from heat immediately. Add lemon juice off the heat to preserve its bright flavor. For dairy-free, swap butter for ghee or olive oil.

Nutrition

Keywords: salmon, garlic butter, lemon, quick dinner, weeknight meal, healthy seafood, stovetop salmon, easy recipe

Find it online: https://sparklespoon.com/quick-garlic-butter-salmon-with-lemon-15-min-easy-dinner/