Pan-Seared Avocado Salmon with Garlic Butter
A quick keto-friendly dinner featuring crispy salmon pan-seared with ripe avocado slices and finished with a garlic butter sauce. This mediterranean-inspired keto (low-carb) ready in about 20 minutes pairs (6 oz each) salmon fillets, large ripe avocado, sliced, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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 (6 oz each) salmon fillets
- 1 large ripe avocado, sliced
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Season 4 salmon fillets with salt and black pepper.
- Step 2: Place salmon fillets skin-side down in the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes until the skin is crispy and golden.
- Step 3: Flip salmon carefully and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the salmon is cooked through but still moist.
- Step 4: Remove salmon from skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat.
- Step 5: Add 3 minced garlic cloves to the butter and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, then stir in 1 tbsp lemon juice.
- Step 6: Arrange slices from 1 large ripe avocado around the cooked salmon in the skillet and spoon the garlic butter sauce over the top.
- Step 7: Sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley over everything and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Avocado Salmon with Garlic Butter take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (5 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Pan-Seared Avocado Salmon with Garlic Butter?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (6 oz each) salmon fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Avocado Salmon with Garlic Butter?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Pan-Seared Avocado Salmon with Garlic Butter for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Pan-Seared Avocado Salmon with Garlic Butter low-carb?
Yes — this recipe is tagged low-carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
