Description
This delicious salmon with garlic lemon butter sauce offers a perfect balance of tender, flaky fish and a rich, flavorful sauce. The dish is quick to prepare, making it an ideal choice for a wholesome weeknight dinner or special occasion, with bright citrus notes and savory butter complementing the salmon’s natural flavors.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Salmon
- 4 (6 oz) skinless salmon fillets (about 1-inch thick)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 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.
- Prepare the sauce: In a small saucepan, melt 1 tsp of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until lightly golden, approximately 1-2 minutes. Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice. Simmer until the sauce reduces by half, about 3 minutes. Stir in the remaining butter and honey, whisk until smooth, then set aside.
- Season salmon: Pat the salmon dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
- Cook salmon: Heat 2 tsp of olive oil in a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the salmon fillets, skin-side down if skin is present, and cook for about 4 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve: Transfer the cooked salmon to plates. Drizzle each fillet generously with the prepared garlic lemon butter sauce, sprinkle with minced parsley, and garnish with lemon slices if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh parsley with dill or chives for a different herbal flavor.
- Ensure not to overcook the salmon to keep it tender and flaky.
- The sauce can be made ahead and reheated, but add the butter just before serving to prevent separation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet (about 6 oz)
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
