Pan Seared Salmon Garlic Butter (Printable)

Crispy salmon fillets with rich garlic butter sauce

# What You'll Need:

→ Seafood

01 - 4 (6 oz) skin-on salmon fillets

→ For Cooking

02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - Salt, to taste
04 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garlic Butter Sauce

05 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
06 - 4 garlic cloves, minced
07 - 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
08 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

→ To Serve

09 - Lemon wedges, for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Pat salmon fillets completely dry using paper towels. Generously season both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
02 - Add olive oil to a large nonstick skillet and heat over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking.
03 - Place salmon fillets in the pan skin-side down. Cook for 4–5 minutes, pressing gently with a spatula to ensure the skin makes full contact with the pan for even crisping.
04 - Carefully flip the fillets and cook for an additional 3–4 minutes, until the salmon is cooked through and golden brown on the second side. Transfer to a plate and tent loosely with foil to keep warm.
05 - Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet and let melt. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute, stirring constantly until fragrant but not browned.
06 - Stir in lemon juice and chopped fresh parsley. Remove from heat immediately.
07 - Spoon the warm garlic butter sauce over the seared salmon fillets. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The garlic butter sauce transforms simple fish into something that feels like a treat
  • Ready in just over 20 minutes but impressive enough for dinner guests
02 -
  • Dry the salmon thoroughly or it will steam instead of sear, and you'll miss that gorgeous crispy skin
  • Let the pan get properly hot before adding the fish or you'll end up with a sad, stuck-on mess
03 -
  • Room temperature salmon cooks more evenly, so take it out of the fridge about 15 minutes before cooking
  • Invest in a good fish spatula with a thin, flexible edge to make flipping effortless

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