Description
Succulent garlic butter salmon sings with Mediterranean charm, blending rich flavors from ocean-fresh fish and golden butter. Creamy herbs and zesty garlic create a simple yet elegant dinner that promises restaurant-quality pleasure you’ll savor to the last delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) salmon fillet, portioned into 4 pieces
Seasonings and Herbs:
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- 4.5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)
Cooking Liquids and Fats:
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
- 4 tablespoons (60 grams) butter
- 1.5 tablespoons (22.5 milliliters) lemon juice (adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Remove salmon from refrigerator 15-20 minutes prior to cooking, allowing it to reach room temperature for uniform cooking. Thoroughly dry the fish with paper towels to ensure crispy skin, then generously season with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Confirm pan readiness by dropping a water droplet that sizzles immediately.
- Carefully place salmon skin-side down in hot skillet. Cook undisturbed for approximately 5 minutes until edges turn golden and fish releases easily from pan surface.
- Gently flip salmon and continue cooking 2-4 minutes depending on fillet thickness. Once cooked, transfer fish to a separate plate.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, adding remaining butter to skillet. When butter melts completely, incorporate minced garlic and fresh lemon juice.
- Sauté garlic for roughly one minute, ensuring it does not brown to prevent bitter flavor.
- Return salmon to skillet, delicately coating each piece with prepared garlic butter sauce.
- Optional: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for added flavor and visual appeal.
- Serve immediately while sauce and fish remain warm and succulent.
Notes
- Let the salmon sit at room temperature before cooking to ensure even heat distribution and prevent uncooked centers.
- Pat salmon completely dry with paper towels to guarantee crispy, golden-brown skin that won’t stick to the pan.
- Use a heavy-bottomed skillet for consistent heat and better searing, which helps develop rich caramelized flavors.
- Cook salmon skin-side down first to create a crisp exterior and protect the delicate flesh from direct high heat.
- Avoid overcooking by checking salmon’s doneness when edges turn golden and fish easily releases from the pan.
- Substitute butter with olive oil or coconut oil for dairy-free diets, maintaining the recipe’s rich flavor profile.
- Add red pepper flakes or fresh herbs like dill for extra zest and personalized taste variations.
- Select wild-caught salmon for higher omega-3 content and more sustainable seafood choice.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg