Description
This Salmon with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce recipe offers a quick and flavorful way to prepare tender, perfectly seared salmon fillets complemented by a rich, tangy garlic lemon butter sauce. The dish is enhanced with fresh parsley and optional lemon slices, making it an elegant and healthy meal ready in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon
- 4 (6 oz) skinless salmon fillets (about 1-inch thick)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tsp olive oil
Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 3 Tbsp + 1 tsp unsalted butter, diced into 1 Tbsp pieces
- 1/2 tsp honey
- 2 Tbsp minced fresh parsley
- Lemon slices for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Rest the salmon: Remove the salmon fillets from the refrigerator and allow them to sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes to ensure even cooking throughout the fillets.
- Prepare the sauce: In a small saucepan, melt 1 teaspoon of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until it becomes lightly golden, approximately 1 to 2 minutes. Next, pour in the chicken broth and fresh lemon juice. Let the mixture simmer until it reduces by half, about 3 minutes. Stir in the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter and honey, whisking until the sauce is smooth and well combined, then set aside to keep warm.
- Season salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. Generously season both sides of each fillet with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance flavor.
- Cook salmon: Heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Carefully place the salmon fillets in the pan, skin-side down if skin is present. Cook for about 4 minutes, allowing the bottom to become golden brown. Flip the fillets and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve: Transfer the cooked salmon fillets to serving plates. Generously drizzle each fillet with the prepared garlic lemon butter sauce. Sprinkle with minced fresh parsley and garnish with lemon slices if desired. Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Allowing the salmon to reach room temperature before cooking promotes even cooking and better texture.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the saltiness of the sauce.
- If you prefer, substitute olive oil with avocado oil for a higher smoke point.
- The sauce can be prepared in advance and gently reheated before serving.
- To add a spicy kick, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce while simmering.
