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4.9 from 60 votes

Garlic Butter Salmon

Easily cook pan-seared salmon with this garlic butter salmon recipe. It's so juicy with a bright lemon garlic butter sauce, fast, and uses simple everyday ingredients!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 297 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 pound salmon cut into 4 pieces
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons butter divided
  • 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice or more, to taste
  • 4-5 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley optional

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Take the salmon out of the fridge 15-20 minutes before starting the recipe if you can. Cut the salmon into 4 equal pieces and pat it dry with paper towel. Season each piece generously with salt & pepper.
  2. Add the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter to a skillet over medium-high heat. Allow the pan to heat up for a few minutes.
  3. Cook the salmon (skin-side down) for 5 minutes, then reduce the heat to medium and flip the fish over and cook for another 2-4 minutes (should be cooked through). Transfer the salmon to a plate.
  4. Turn the heat down to medium-low. Add the remaining butter to the pan and let it melt. Stir in the garlic and lemon juice. Continue stirring for a minute or so until the garlic is just cooked (do not let it burn or it'll taste bitter). Take the skillet off the heat once it's done.
  5. Add the salmon back to the skillet and spoon some sauce over top and sprinkle parsley on if using. Serve immediately. I like to add more fresh lemon juice to mine, so you may want to serve it with lemon wedges so everyone can add more as needed. The salmon skin is nice and crispy (and tasty) if you eat it right away, but you can easily peel it off once it's cooked if you prefer.

Notes

  • I used Atlantic salmon that was about 1" thick for this recipe. If your salmon is thicker or thinner, you may need to adjust cooking time a bit. If you use skinless salmon, it'll cook faster.
  • It's ok if you've got a bit over a pound of salmon, just make sure it's not too much over or the salmon pieces will be crowded in the pan and not cook properly.

Nutrition Information

Calories 297kcal (15%) Carbohydrates 1g (0%) Protein 23g (46%) Fat 22g (34%) Saturated Fat 9g (45%) Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 92mg (31%) Sodium 150mg (6%) Potassium 573mg (16%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 396IU (8%) Vitamin C 2mg (2%) Calcium 23mg (2%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 297

% Daily Value*

Calories 297kcal 15%
Carbohydrates 1g 0%
Protein 23g 46%
Fat 22g 34%
Saturated Fat 9g 45%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 92mg 31%
Sodium 150mg 6%
Potassium 573mg 12%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 396IU 8%
Vitamin C 2mg 2%
Calcium 23mg 2%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.