Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter and Garlic
Juicy salmon fillets pan-seared to a golden brown and finished with a bright lemon butter garlic sauce, perfect for a quick and elegant dinner. This mediterranean-inspired seafood (low carb) ready in about 20 minutes pairs unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves, freshly squeezed lemon juice 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 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 fillets, 6 oz each, skin on salmon fillets
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp, freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp, freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp chopped, for garnish fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 4 salmon fillets and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place salmon fillets skin-side down and cook undisturbed for 5-6 minutes until the skin is crisp and the fish is cooked 2/3 of the way through.
- Step 3: Flip the fillets carefully and cook for another 2 minutes until just cooked through and opaque.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to medium-low and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Stir the butter and garlic together and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 5: Add 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice to the pan and spoon the lemon garlic butter over the salmon fillets for 30 seconds.
- Step 6: Remove from heat, garnish with 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately with your choice of sides.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter and Garlic 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 Salmon with Lemon Butter and Garlic?
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 Lemon Butter and Garlic?
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 Lemon Butter and Garlic 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 Lemon Butter and Garlic 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.
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