Crisp Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon-Garlic Butter Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-11 · Updated 2026-07-11

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A quick and elegant pan-seared salmon recipe featuring a golden crust and a bright lemon-garlic butter sauce that elevates the natural richness of the fish. This Mediterranean seafood recipe (low carb, gluten free), ready in about 20 minutes, pairs salmon fillets with skin, salt, and black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a low-carb week and pairs well with cauliflower rice or roasted green vegetables. Tap "Build a week of meals around this recipe" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 350 cal/serving

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Ingredients

4 pieces (6 oz each) salmon fillets with skin
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp unsalted butter
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

Step 1: Pat dry 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each) with skin on. Season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper evenly.
Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
Step 3: Place salmon fillets skin-side down in the skillet and press gently with a spatula to ensure even contact. Cook for 5-6 minutes without moving until the skin is crisp and golden brown.
Step 4: Flip the salmon carefully and cook for an additional 2 minutes until the flesh is opaque and just cooked through.
Step 5: Remove salmon from skillet and set aside on a warm plate.
Step 6: Reduce heat to medium. Add 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 3 minced garlic cloves to the same skillet. Sauté garlic for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
Step 7: Stir in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, cooking for 30 seconds until the sauce is slightly thickened.
Step 8: Spoon the lemon-garlic butter sauce over the salmon fillets and serve immediately.