Pan-Roasted Salmon with Lemon-Garlic Butter Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-06 · Updated 2026-08-06

Tender pan-roasted salmon fillets finished with a bright lemon-garlic butter sauce that elevates the natural flavors of the fish. This seafood recipe, ready in about 17 minutes, pairs salmon fillets, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" 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.

Ingredients

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

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Season 4 salmon fillets evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper on both sides.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot and shimmering. Place salmon fillets skin side down and cook for 5-6 minutes without moving until the skin is crisp.
3. Step 3: Flip the fillets and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until just cooked through.
4. Step 4: Reduce heat to medium low, add 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pan. Stir continuously for 1 minute until garlic is fragrant.
5. Step 5: Remove the pan from heat, stir in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, spooning the lemon-garlic butter sauce over the salmon before serving.