If you love dishes that have big flavor and come together quickly, Salmon with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe is about to become your new go-to. Imagine flaky salmon fillets, crispy on the outside and melt-in-your-mouth tender on the inside, all wrapped up in a silky, aromatic sauce that balances savory, citrusy, and buttery notes perfectly. Whether you’re cooking for a special dinner or craving something fabulous on a weeknight, this recipe makes healthy eating absolutely irresistible.

Salmon with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this Salmon with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe is simple but plays a starring role. Their combined flavors create a masterpiece that’s fresh, vibrant, and utterly satisfying—don’t be tempted to skip any!

Salmon fillets: Choose fillets that are about 6 ounces each, with or without skin—skin gives the salmon a lovely crispy texture.
Salt: A little goes a long way to bring out all the natural flavors of the salmon and sauce.
Black pepper: Just a touch provides a gentle kick that pairs beautifully with the lemony tang.
Olive oil: Creates that golden, crispy surface on the salmon when seared at the right temperature.
Unsalted butter: Lends a rich, creamy dimension to the luscious sauce.
Garlic cloves: Minced fresh garlic makes the sauce irresistibly aromatic and savory.
Fresh lemon juice: Adds brightness and balances the richness of the butter and salmon.
Chicken broth or white wine: Either option infuses the sauce with subtle depth—choose your favorite for a custom touch.
Fresh parsley: Chopped parsley pops with color and brings an herbaceous lift at the end.
Lemon slices: Not just a garnish—they add a welcoming visual and a whisper of extra citrus with every plate.

How to Make Salmon with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Pat and Season the Salmon

Start by patting the salmon fillets dry with paper towels; this step is the secret to achieving that golden, crispy sear. Sprinkle both sides generously with salt and black pepper, making sure the flavor gets right into the flesh of the fish.

Step 2: Sear the Salmon

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Carefully lay your salmon fillets skin-side down in the hot pan. Let them cook undisturbed for 4 to 5 minutes—this is when magic happens and the skin becomes delightfully crisp. Flip each fillet gently and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes so the salmon is just cooked through but still tender.

Step 3: Keep Salmon Warm

Once cooked, transfer the fillets to a clean plate and cover them loosely with foil. This keeps everything cozy and warm while you whip together that dreamy sauce.

Step 4: Make the Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce

Using the same skillet (hello, extra flavor!), lower the heat to medium and melt the unsalted butter. Toss in the minced garlic and sauté for about a minute—you’ll notice the kitchen filling with the best aroma. Stir in the fresh lemon juice and either chicken broth or white wine, being sure to scrape up those golden bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2 minutes, reducing just enough to become silky and slightly thickened.

Step 5: Return Salmon and Finish

Slide the salmon fillets back into the skillet, spooning the glossy garlic lemon butter sauce generously over each one. Give everything a quick taste and season as needed, then finish with a flourish of fresh chopped parsley and bright lemon slices on top.

How to Serve Salmon with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe

Garnishes

The final flourish really makes your plate pop. A scattering of fresh chopped parsley and a few vibrant lemon slices transform each serving into something restaurant-worthy. Not only do these garnishes add color, but they also amplify the zesty, herbaceous notes that make this dish sing.

Side Dishes

When serving Salmon with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe, keep your sides simple so the salmon and sauce can shine. Fluffy rice, buttered new potatoes, roasted asparagus, or garlicky sautéed spinach all make delightful partners. If you’re feeling indulgent, a swirl of creamy mashed potatoes does an amazing job of catching every drop of sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, try slicing the fillets and arranging them family-style on a big platter with sauce, herbs, and lemon wheels. Or serve each fillet atop a bed of fire-roasted vegetables for a dramatic, colorful presentation. Mini salmon filets work well as appetizers, too, especially with extra sauce drizzled right before serving.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with extra Salmon with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe, pop leftovers into an airtight container as soon as they cool down. Store them in the fridge, where they’ll stay fresh for up to two days. When refrigerated, keep the sauce and salmon together so the flavors can continue to mingle.

Freezing

While salmon can be frozen for later, the delicate sauce doesn’t always hold up as beautifully once thawed. If you do freeze, wrap the fillets tightly in foil and place them in a freezer-safe bag for up to two months. Make the sauce fresh if possible when you’re ready to enjoy them again!

Reheating

The best way to reheat Salmon with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe is gently—in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce if needed. Be careful not to overcook, as salmon can dry out quickly; just heat until everything is warmed through and glossy.

FAQs

Can I use frozen salmon fillets for this recipe?

Absolutely! Just be sure to thaw the salmon fillets overnight in the fridge and pat them very dry before cooking so you still get that signature crispy sear.

Is there a dairy-free version of this sauce?

If you’d like a dairy-free twist, substitute the butter with a good-quality vegan butter or extra olive oil. The sauce will still be luscious, but with a lighter finish.

What’s the best wine to pair with Salmon with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe?

A crisp white wine, like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, complements the zesty flavors of this dish beautifully. They both enhance the citrus and cut through the richness with ease.

Can I double the sauce if I want more for pasta or rice?

Definitely! This sauce is gold, so doubling the garlic lemon butter mixture is very welcome, especially if you want extra for mopping up with bread, drizzling over grains, or mixing into vegetables.

How do I know when the salmon is cooked just right?

Perfectly cooked salmon flakes easily with a fork but still feels moist and tender inside. For more accuracy, aim for an internal temperature of 125 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit for medium-rare to medium.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a meal that hits all the right notes—healthy, fast, and absolutely delicious—Salmon with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe is it. Treat yourself to a plateful and experience just how simple gourmet cooking at home can be!

Salmon with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe

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4.8 from 9 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Delight your taste buds with this exquisite Salmon with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce recipe. Tender pan-seared salmon fillets are bathed in a luscious sauce bursting with the flavors of garlic, lemon, and butter. This dish is a perfect balance of savory and tangy, making it an ideal choice for a special dinner or a quick weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Salmon:

4 salmon fillets (6 ounces each)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil

Lemon Butter Sauce:

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup chicken broth or white wine
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Lemon slices for garnish

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Instructions

Season Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.
Cook Salmon: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook salmon skin-side down for 4 to 5 minutes until crispy. Flip and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes until just cooked through. Transfer to a plate and cover.
Make Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Stir in lemon juice and chicken broth, simmer for 2 minutes.
Finish Dish: Return salmon to the skillet, spoon sauce over fillets. Garnish with parsley and lemon slices before serving.

Notes

This dish pairs beautifully with rice, roasted vegetables, or pasta.
For a creamier version, stir 2 tablespoons of heavy cream into the sauce at the end.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired, American