Lemon Butter Salmon
A quick and flavorful lemon butter salmon recipe that takes about 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4-6 ounce Salmon fillets skin on or off is fine
- 3-4 tablespoons Butter helps create rich sauce
- 1 Fresh lemon juice and optional zest
- 3-4 cloves Garlic, minced or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil helps the butter not brown too fast
- to taste Salt and black pepper
Optional Ingredients
- to taste Chopped parsley for garnish
- to taste Chili flakes for added heat
- 1 spoon Honey for a tiny bit of sweetness
Instructions
Preparation
- Pat the salmon dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and black pepper.
Cooking
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter until melted.
- Place the salmon in the pan skin side down and cook for 4-5 minutes without poking it.
- Flip the salmon and cook for another 2-4 minutes, depending on thickness.
- Move the salmon to a plate. Lower heat and add the remaining butter to the pan, then add the minced garlic.
- Stir for about 20-30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Squeeze in the lemon juice, optional zest, and scrape up any bits from the pan; let it bubble for about 30 seconds.
- Return the salmon to the pan and spoon the sauce over the top, garnish with parsley or chili flakes if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
Do not overcook the salmon; it continues cooking off-heat. Use medium heat for even cooking. Fresh lemon juice enhances the flavor significantly.