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Easy Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon – Best One-Pan Dinner

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This cozy lemon garlic butter salmon brings back the memory of a lost bistro with its perfectly crisped edges and impossibly tender center. It’s a quick, simple, and crowd-pleasing one-pan dinner that feels like a hug on a plate.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz / 170g each)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (56g)
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 1 large lemon (zest and juice)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (15ml)
  • ¼ cup chicken or vegetable broth (60ml)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt (3g)
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground (1g)
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep the Salmon (5 minutes): Pat the salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. If you have time, let the seasoned fillets sit uncovered in the fridge for 10 minutes.
  2. Zest and Juice the Lemon (2 minutes): Zest the lemon before juicing it. Use a microplane or fine side of a box grater, avoiding the white pith. Cut the lemon in half and juice it into a small bowl. Set both aside.
  3. Heat the Pan (2 minutes): Place your skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Let it heat until it shimmers—about 2 minutes.
  4. Sear the Salmon (6-7 minutes): Place the salmon fillets in the hot pan, skin-side down if they have skin. Don’t crowd the pan—work in batches if needed. Cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until the edges turn golden and the fish releases easily.
  5. Flip and Finish (3-4 minutes): Carefully flip the fillets using a fish spatula. Cook for another 2-3 minutes for medium, or 3-4 minutes for well-done (internal temperature 125°F/52°C for medium, 135°F/57°C for well-done). Transfer to a plate and tent loosely with foil.
  6. Build the Butter Sauce (3 minutes): Reduce heat to medium-low. Add the butter to the same pan. Once it melts and foams, add the minced garlic and stir constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits. Let it simmer for 1 minute.
  7. Finish with Lemon Zest and Herbs (1 minute): Stir in the lemon zest and half the chopped parsley. If using red pepper flakes, add them now. Let the sauce come together for another 30 seconds.
  8. Return the Salmon to the Pan (2 minutes): Place the salmon back in the skillet, spooning the butter sauce over the top. Let it warm through for about 1 minute until the sauce thickens slightly.
  9. Serve Immediately: Transfer the salmon to plates or a serving platter. Spoon any remaining sauce over the top. Garnish with the remaining parsley and a few lemon slices if desired.

Notes

Pat the salmon dry for a crispy crust. Let the pan get properly hot before adding the salmon. Watch the garlic carefully—it burns quickly. Baste the salmon with the butter sauce when returning it to the pan. For best results, serve immediately.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon garlic butter salmon, one-pan salmon, easy salmon recipe, quick salmon dinner, crispy salmon, butter sauce salmon

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