Pan-Seared Garlic Butter Salmon with Spinach
A quick keto-friendly salmon dish cooked in garlic butter, served over sautéed fresh spinach for a nutritious low-carb meal. This mediterranean-inspired keto (low carb, gluten free) ready in about 25 minutes pairs fillets (6 oz each) salmon fillets, unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 2 fillets (6 oz each) salmon fillets
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 2 salmon fillets (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place the salmon fillets skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes without moving until the edges are crispy and golden.
- Step 3: Flip the salmon and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pan. Spoon the melted butter and garlic over the salmon as it cooks for another 3-4 minutes until cooked through and fragrant.
- Step 4: Remove salmon from the skillet and keep warm. Add 4 cups fresh baby spinach to the same skillet and sauté for 2-3 minutes in the garlic butter until spinach wilts and is bright green.
- Step 5: Finish the spinach with 1 tbsp lemon juice, stir to combine, then plate the salmon atop the sautéed spinach and spoon any remaining garlic butter from the pan over the salmon.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Garlic Butter Salmon with Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (5 min prep + 20 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 Garlic Butter Salmon with Spinach?
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 unsalted butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Garlic Butter Salmon with Spinach?
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 Garlic Butter Salmon with Spinach for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Garlic Butter Salmon with Spinach low carb?
Yes — this recipe is tagged low carb, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
