Description
A quick and flavorful Salmon with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce recipe that perfectly balances tender pan-seared salmon fillets with a bright, buttery garlic lemon sauce. Ready in just 20 minutes, this dish is ideal for a healthy and elegant weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon
- 4 (6 oz) skinless salmon fillets (about 1-inch thick)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tsp olive oil
Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 3 Tbsp + 1 tsp unsalted butter, diced into 1 Tbsp pieces
- 1/2 tsp honey
- 2 Tbsp minced fresh parsley
- Lemon slices for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Rest the salmon: Remove the salmon fillets from the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes to ensure even cooking throughout.
- Prepare the sauce: In a small saucepan, melt 1 tsp of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until it turns lightly golden, approximately 1-2 minutes. Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice, then let the sauce simmer until it reduces by half, about 3 minutes. Stir in the remaining butter pieces and honey, whisking until the sauce is smooth. Set aside.
- Season salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. Season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Cook salmon: Heat 2 tsp olive oil in a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the salmon fillets, skin-side down if skin is present. Cook for about 4 minutes until the bottom is golden brown. Flip the fillets and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve: Transfer the cooked salmon fillets to serving plates. Drizzle each fillet generously with the prepared garlic lemon butter sauce. Sprinkle with minced parsley and garnish with lemon slices if desired. Serve immediately for best flavor.
Notes
- Allowing the salmon to rest at room temperature before cooking helps it cook evenly.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels in the sauce.
- Do not overcook the salmon; it should flake easily but remain moist.
- Fresh lemon juice brightens the sauce but can be adjusted to taste.
- Garnishing with fresh parsley and lemon slices adds color and freshness to the presentation.
