How to Make the Perfect Garlic Butter Salmon
American · Easy · 20 min · 4 servings
Pan-seared salmon fillets basted in a rich garlic herb butter sauce until perfectly flaky and golden. This quick and luxurious weeknight dinner is ready in under 25 minutes.
Why this recipe works
This Garlic Butter Salmon recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 20 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 390 calories with 36g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 8 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 4 fillets salmon skin-on about 6oz each
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Salmon
Pat the salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Dry skin is the key to achieving a perfectly crispy crust so do not skip this step.
Step 2: Sear Skin-Side Down
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place the salmon skin-side down and press gently with a spatula for the first 30 seconds. Cook undisturbed for 5 to 6 minutes until the skin is deeply golden and crispy.
Step 3: Flip and Add Butter
Flip the salmon fillets carefully. Immediately add butter, minced garlic, thyme, and red pepper flakes to the pan. The butter will foam and sizzle around the fish.
Step 4: Baste Continuously
Tilt the pan slightly and use a spoon to continuously baste the salmon with the melted garlic butter for 2 to 3 minutes. This infuses the fish with flavor and finishes the cooking gently.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the salmon and remove from heat. Plate the fillets and spoon extra garlic butter sauce from the pan over each one. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- unsalted butter → ghee for a higher smoke point and nutty flavor
- fresh thyme → fresh dill which pairs beautifully with salmon
- salmon → halibut or sea bass fillets of similar thickness
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Not drying the salmon skin which results in steaming instead of crisping
- Moving the salmon too early before the skin releases naturally from the pan
- Overcooking the salmon which makes it dry and causes it to fall apart
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 390 calories, 36g protein, 2g carbs, 26g fat, 0g fiber.
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