# Lemon Butter Salmon

Pan-seared salmon fillets finished in a bright, garlicky lemon butter sauce — weeknight-fast and restaurant-worthy on the plate.

_Dinner_

Prep: 5 min · Cook: 12 min · Total: 17 min · Yields: 4 servings

## Ingredients

- 4 salmon fillets (skin-on, about 6 oz each)
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper (freshly ground)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter (divided)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

## Instructions

1. Pat the 4 salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels — surface moisture is the enemy of a good sear.
2. Season both sides of the fillets evenly with the 0.5 tsp kosher salt, 0.25 tsp black pepper, and 0.5 tsp garlic powder.
3. Heat the 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp of the unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the butter foams and subsides.
4. Place the salmon fillets skin-side up in the pan. Sear undisturbed for 4 minutes until a deep golden crust forms.
5. Flip the fillets skin-side down and cook for another 3–4 minutes, until the flesh is opaque and flakes easily at the thickest part. Transfer to a plate.
6. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add the remaining 2 tbsp unsalted butter to the pan and let it melt.
7. Add the 4 cloves minced garlic and cook, stirring, for 30–45 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
8. Pour in the 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice and stir in the 1 tsp lemon zest, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
9. Simmer the sauce for 1 minute until slightly reduced and glossy.
10. Return the salmon fillets to the pan and spoon the lemon butter sauce over each fillet for 30 seconds to warm through.
11. Plate the salmon, pour any remaining pan sauce over the top, and garnish with the 2 tbsp fresh parsley.

## Tip

> Sear the salmon skin-side up first — this lets the flesh build a crust without the skin insulating the heat, so you get even color before flipping onto the skin to finish.

Tags: weeknight, 30-minute, one-pan, gluten-free, comfort-food

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Canonical: https://just-recipes.io/recipes/lemon-butter-salmon