Tender, flaky salmon fillets cooked in a rich lemon garlic butter sauce with fresh herbs. This easy dinner comes together quickly and pairs beautifully with vegetables, rice, potatoes, or a fresh salad.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12–15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
For the Salmon
4 salmon fillets, about 5–6 oz (140–170 g) each
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp onion powder
Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
4 tbsp unsalted butter
5 cloves garlic, finely minced
½ cup chicken or vegetable broth
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
½ tsp Italian seasoning
¼ tsp red pepper flakes, optional
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 tbsp chopped fresh dill, optional
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Optional Garnish
Lemon slices
Fresh parsley
Fresh dill
Extra red pepper flakes
A little grated Parmesan, optional
Instructions
1. Prepare the Salmon
Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. This helps them brown nicely.
Season both sides with paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and onion powder.
2. Sear the Salmon
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Place the salmon skin-side down if the fillets have skin.
Cook for about 4–5 minutes, without moving them, until the bottom is golden and the salmon is mostly cooked halfway through.
Carefully flip and cook for another 2–3 minutes.
Transfer the salmon to a plate. It doesn’t need to be completely finished yet because it will return to the sauce.
3. Make the Garlic Butter
Reduce the heat to medium.
Add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic.
Cook for 30–60 seconds, stirring frequently. Don’t let the garlic burn.
4. Add Lemon & Seasonings
Pour in the broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Add:
Lemon juice
Lemon zest
Italian seasoning
Red pepper flakes
Simmer for 2–3 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce slightly.
5. Return the Salmon
Place the salmon back into the skillet.
Spoon the lemon garlic butter sauce over the fillets.
Cover loosely and cook for another 2–4 minutes, depending on thickness, until the salmon flakes easily and reaches a safe internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
6. Finish
Turn off the heat and sprinkle the salmon with fresh parsley and dill.
Spoon plenty of the buttery lemon-garlic sauce over each fillet.
Garnish with fresh lemon slices and serve immediately.
Tips for Perfect Salmon
Don’t overcook it. Salmon dries out quickly when cooked too long.
Pat the fillets dry before seasoning for better browning.
Use fresh lemon juice rather than bottled when possible.
Don’t let the garlic brown too much—it can become bitter.
For thicker fillets, allow a few extra minutes of cooking.
A thermometer is the most reliable way to check doneness.
What to Serve With It
This salmon is delicious with:
Roasted asparagus
Steamed broccoli
Green beans
Garlic mashed potatoes
Roasted baby potatoes
Rice or cauliflower rice
Quinoa
Zucchini noodles
Mediterranean salad
Fresh cucumber and tomato salad
Easy Variations
Creamy Lemon Garlic Salmon
After adding the broth, stir in ¼ cup heavy cream and simmer gently before returning the salmon.
Spinach Salmon
Add 2–3 cups fresh spinach to the sauce and cook until wilted.
Parmesan Salmon
Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan over the salmon during the final few minutes.
Spicy Salmon
Add extra red pepper flakes or a small amount of cayenne.
Mediterranean Salmon
Add chopped Kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, oregano, and fresh parsley.
Nut & Allergen Information
Peanuts: None in the recipe as written.
Tree nuts: None in the recipe as written.
Dairy: Contains butter. Use dairy-free butter if needed.
Gluten: Naturally gluten-free, provided the broth and seasonings used are certified gluten-free when necessary.
Eggs: None.
Soy: No soy is required in the recipe, but check packaged broth and seasonings.
Fish: Contains salmon.
Vegetarian/Vegan: Not vegetarian or vegan.
Allergy note: For serious allergies, check individual ingredient labels for cross-contact warnings.
Approximate Nutrition
Per serving, including sauce:
Calories: ~390
Protein: ~35 g
Carbohydrates: ~4 g
Fat: ~26 g
Saturated Fat: ~10 g
Fiber: ~1 g
Sugar: ~1 g
Sodium: ~500 mg
Nutrition is an estimate and varies with salmon size, butter, and other ingredients.
Q&A
Can I bake the salmon instead?
Yes. Place seasoned salmon in a baking dish, pour the lemon garlic butter sauce over it, and bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 12–16 minutes, depending on thickness.
Can I use frozen salmon?
Yes. Thaw it completely in the refrigerator first and pat it very dry before cooking.
How do I know when salmon is done?
The thickest part should reach 145°F (63°C). The flesh should also flake easily with a fork.
Can I make this without butter?
Yes. Use olive oil or a dairy-free butter alternative. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.
Can I use salmon with the skin on?
Absolutely. Cooking skin-side down first helps protect the salmon and creates nicely browned skin.
Can I make the sauce ahead?
Yes. Prepare the sauce separately and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. Reheat gently before serving.
How long do leftovers last?
Store cooked salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Can I use lime instead of lemon?
Yes. Lime gives the dish a slightly sharper, more tropical flavor.
Is this recipe low-carb?
Yes. The basic recipe is low-carb and naturally gluten-free, with only a small amount of carbohydrate from the lemon, garlic, and broth.
Can I make this in an air fryer?
Yes. Season the salmon and air fry at 400°F (200°C) for approximately 7–11 minutes, depending on thickness. Prepare the lemon garlic butter sauce separately and spoon it over the cooked salmon.
Serving Suggestion
Serve each golden salmon fillet over a bed of cauliflower rice or roasted vegetables, spoon the lemon garlic butter sauce generously over the top, and finish with fresh parsley and lemon slices for a simple restaurant-style dinner at home.
With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.
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