Pan-Seared Salmon with Garlic Butter Lemon Sauce

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender salmon fillets pan-seared to golden perfection and finished with a luscious garlic butter and fresh lemon sauce. This mediterranean-inspired seafood (keto, low carb) ready in about 25 minutes pairs fillets (6 oz each) salmon fillets, unsalted butter, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

★ 4.2 (13 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each) and season both sides evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Place salmon fillets skin-side down in the skillet and cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until the skin is crisp and edges turn opaque.
  4. Step 4: Flip the salmon and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the center is just cooked through and flakes easily.
  5. Step 5: Remove salmon from the skillet and set aside on a warm plate.
  6. Step 6: Lower heat to medium and add 4 tbsp unsalted butter and 3 minced garlic cloves to the same skillet; sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and garlic is softened but not browned.
  7. Step 7: Stir in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 1 tsp lemon zest, cooking for 30 seconds until the sauce slightly thickens.
  8. Step 8: Spoon the garlic butter lemon sauce over the salmon fillets and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Salmon with Garlic Butter Lemon Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 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 Salmon with Garlic Butter Lemon Sauce?

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 Salmon with Garlic Butter Lemon Sauce?

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 Salmon with Garlic Butter Lemon Sauce 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 Salmon with Garlic Butter Lemon Sauce keto?

Yes — this recipe is tagged keto, low carb, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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