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Garlic butter salmon fillet served with lemon and herbs

Garlic Butter Salmon

Amanda S
Pan-seared garlic butter salmon with lemon and fresh garlic, finished in one skillet until golden outside and flaky at 145°F.
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Prep Time 7 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine Fusion, American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 490 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 salmon fillets about 6 oz each, patted dry
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter cut into pieces
  • 3 garlic cloves finely minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice plus lemon wedges for serving, optional
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped

Instructions
 

  • Pat the salmon fillets very dry with paper towels. Season both sides with the kosher salt and black pepper.
    Seasoned salmon fillets patted dry on a cutting board
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. When the oil is shimmering, add the salmon presentation-side down. Sear without moving for about 4 minutes, until deeply golden and the edges are beginning to turn opaque.
    Salmon fillets searing presentation-side down in a skillet
  • Flip the salmon carefully and cook for about 2 minutes on the second side.
    Golden salmon fillets after flipping in a skillet
  • Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the butter and garlic. As soon as the butter melts and foams, tilt the skillet slightly and spoon the garlic butter over the salmon for 1 to 2 minutes, keeping the garlic moving so it becomes fragrant without burning.
    Pan-seared salmon basted with foaming garlic butter
  • Add the lemon juice and continue cooking only until the thickest part of each fillet reaches 145°F (63°C) on an instant-read thermometer. Transfer the salmon to a plate and rest for 2 to 3 minutes.
    Instant-read thermometer checking salmon at 145°F
  • Spoon the warm garlic butter from the skillet over the salmon, sprinkle with parsley, and serve with lemon wedges if desired.
    Garlic butter salmon with parsley and lemon wedges ready to serve
Garlic butter salmon fillet served with lemon and herbs
Garlic Butter Salmon

Notes

Patting the salmon dry helps it sear instead of steam. Add the butter and garlic after the initial sear so the milk solids and garlic are less likely to burn. The safe minimum internal temperature for fish is 145°F (63°C).
Estimated per serving from USDA FoodData Central values: 4 x 6 oz farmed Atlantic salmon proxy; 1/2 tsp generic kosher salt estimated as 1.4 g; all skillet butter and olive oil assumed consumed; optional lemon wedges excluded.

Nutrition

Calories: 490kcalCarbohydrates: 1.2gProtein: 35.1gFat: 37.8gSaturated Fat: 13.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 12.2gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 124mgSodium: 240mgPotassium: 641mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 760IUVitamin C: 3.4mgCalcium: 24mgIron: 0.7mg
Keyword Garlic Butter Salmon, garlic butter salmon pan
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