Pan Seared Salmon with Garlic Butter
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Golden and crispy on top, tender and flaky at the center with a buttery lemon garlic sauce. This Pan Seared Salmon with Garlic Butter is one of my go-to recipes when I have to hit the kitchen running. It is perfectly cooked and takes only 15 minutes from start to finish! De-LICIOUS!

Pan Seared Salmon with Garlic Butter
This Pan Seared Salmon is one of the easiest salmon dishes to make at home, even for the most novice of home cooks, and it impresses every time!
It makes a romantic dinner for Valentine’s Day, date night and special occasions.
The butter garlic makes this salmon recipe extremely tender, moist and packed full of flavor.
Salmon Recipes
I love salmon and one of my favorite salmon recipes is this Garlic Butter Pan Seared Salmon. Here are some more on the blog: Salmon Kabobs and Baked Salmon Recipe, and Air Fryer Salmon
What you’ll Need to Make Pan Seared Garlic Butter Salmon:
The ingredients are simple.
Salmon fillets
Salt and pepper
Lemon
Olive oil
Butter
Garlic cloves
Parsley leaves

Tips for Making the Best Garlic Butter Pan Seared Salmon:
- Pick the right size fillets so the salmon cooks evenly. Mine were about 6-oz per fillet.
- Bring the salmon to room temperature. Let your salmon filets rest out on the counter for 15-30 minutes, until they come to room temperature. This will also help with even cooking.
- Pat Dry the salmon. Always pat dry the fillets with paper towels before seasoning.
- Heat the oil. The oil needs to be super hot before adding the salmon fillets.
- Do not disturb the fillets while searing. Especially the first 4 minutes of cooking.
- Do not over cook the salmon. They will need about 4 minutes on each side. A good way to test for doneness is by inserting a fork or knife in the salmon and twisting it a bit; if it flake easily, it’s done.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH THIS SALMON RECIPE?
Salmon is best served with a healthy side dish such as asparagus. Here are a few different ideas:
Fattoush Salad
Tabbouleh Salad
Roasted Chickpea Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
Air-Fried French Fries
Air-Fried Zucchini Chips
Lebanese Vermicelli Rice
How to Store Pan Seared Salmon:
Store cooked salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat in the microwave for one minute before serving. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.

Enjoy, everyone!
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The Best Skillet Salmon Recipe

Pan Seared Salmon with Garlic Butter
One of the best salmon recipes is Garlic Butter Pan Seared Salmon. It's garlicky, crispy and flaky with simple ingredients. Takes only 15 mins to make salmon dinner!
Ingredients
- 4 salmon filets, 4-6 ounces each
- Salt and pepper , to season
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice , divided
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic , minced or crushed
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley leaves
- Lemon slices of half a lemon
Instructions
Start by prepping the ingredients:
- Juice 1 half of a lemon until you have about 3 tablespoons juice. Cut the remaining 1/2 lemon into wedges for serving. Mince or crush 4 garlic cloves. Chop some parsley leaves until you have 2-3 tablespoons of finely chopped parsley leaves.
- Pat 4 salmon fillets dry with a paper towel and season all over with salt and ground black pepper. Squeeze 1-2 teaspoons of lemon juice over each filet.
Cook the Salmon:
- Heat olive oil in a large 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until very hot and simmering. Place salmon filets skin side up. Sear, undisturbed, for 4 minutes until crispy and golden.
- Flip and sear the other side of each filet for 2 minutes. Add butter and crushed garlic and the remaining 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Stir the butter and garlic gently around and in between each fillet.
- Sprinkle with chopped parsley, add the 4 lemon wedges on each fillet and continue to cook for another 2 minutes, or until fully cooked .
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 285Total Fat: 37gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 58mgSodium: 120mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 51g
Please note that the nutrition label provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients you use.
I make this recipe for my wife on date nights for dinner. It became a tradition. Easy salmon recipe and perfect for two!
Aww so sweet! 🙂
My family is obsessed with these garlic butter salmon! I love how easy it comes together and how do it was! Made it with your air fryer asparagus on the side!
So glad to hear you and you’re family enjoyed my salmon dish with asparagus 🙂 Thank you for leaving a comment.
This salmon recipe was excellent! Super easy to follow too!
Thank you for trying my recipe 🙂
Easy quick weeknight salmon meal! My kids loved it too!
Aww that’s great! Glad you your kids loved it!
This recipe is so easy to do and yet delicious. I really love how detailed you were with all the instructions. Thanks
You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂