Garlic Butter Salmon

This Garlic Butter Salmon is juicy, flaky, and drenched in a rich garlic butter sauce with a hint of lemon. Elegant yet simple, it’s a quick dinner that feels restaurant-worthy but takes less than 20 minutes to make.

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 12

Total Time 17

Servings: 4 fillets

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, European

Calories: 410

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

For the Salmon

4 fillets salmon skinless, boneless, around 180 g / 6 oz each
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground
1 1/2 tbsp olive oil

For the Garlic Butter Sauce

90 g butter salted, cubed (or unsalted + 1/4 tsp salt)
2 cloves garlic finely minced by hand
1 tsp lemon juice freshly squeezed, plus more to taste
2 tsp fresh parsley finely chopped

Method

Prepare the salmon: Remove salmon from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking. Pat dry, then season with salt and pepper.
Sear the first side: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high. Place salmon presentation-side down and sear for 3 minutes until golden.
Flip and add butter: Flip salmon, cook 1 minute, then add cubed butter to the pan to melt and foam.
Add garlic and baste: Stir in garlic and baste salmon with foaming butter for 1½ minutes, spooning sauce over fillets continuously.
Check doneness: Cook until salmon reaches 50°C (122°F), then remove and rest for 3 minutes to reach 53°C (127°F).
Finish the sauce: Remove pan from heat, stir in lemon juice, and adjust seasoning to taste.
Serve: Plate salmon, drizzle with garlic butter, and garnish with parsley. Pair with sides like mash, rice, or salad.

Notes

✔ Use high-quality butter for the richest flavor. ✔ Swap parsley with dill, basil, or chives for variety. ✔ Add red pepper flakes for a little heat. ✔ Store leftovers in the fridge for 2 days; reheat gently on low heat. ✔ Freeze cooked salmon for up to 2 months, reheating gently for best texture.