Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Caper Butter Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Tender salmon fillets pan-seared to golden perfection, topped with a bright and tangy lemon caper butter sauce for a simple yet elegant dish. This Mediterranean-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 22 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 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 salmon fillets and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Step 2: Place salmon fillets skin-side down and sear for 5-6 minutes without moving until skin is crisp and golden. Flip and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until salmon is just cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Remove salmon to a warm plate and reduce heat to medium. Add 4 tbsp unsalted butter to the pan and melt. Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp drained capers, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Remove pan from heat and stir in 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp lemon zest, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Pour the lemon caper butter sauce over the salmon fillets.
  5. Step 5: Serve immediately with steamed vegetables or rice for a bright, flavorful meal.

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