Print

Garlic Butter Salmon with Creamy Lemon Sauce

A perfectly cooked fillet of salmon topped with rich, yellow creamy lemon sauce and fresh parsley, showcasing the Garlic Butter Salmon.
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

A recipe for pan-seared salmon coated in garlic butter, served with a rich, creamy lemon sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 (6 ounce) salmon fillets, skin on or off
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the butter melts and foams.
  3. Place the salmon fillets skin-side down (if using skin-on) in the hot skillet. Sear for 4 to 5 minutes until the skin is crisp.
  4. Flip the salmon and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, depending on thickness, until almost cooked through. Remove the salmon from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
  5. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and the minced garlic to the same skillet. Cook for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  6. Pour in the white wine or broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 1 minute.
  7. Stir in the heavy cream, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly. Do not boil rapidly.
  8. Taste the sauce and add more salt or pepper if needed. Stir in the chopped parsley.
  9. Return the salmon fillets to the skillet, spooning the creamy lemon sauce over the top of each fillet. Cook for 1 minute to reheat the fish.
  10. Serve the salmon immediately with the extra sauce from the pan.

Notes

  • For flaky salmon, cook until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • You can bake the salmon instead: Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place salmon on a baking sheet, top with garlic butter, and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Prepare the sauce separately.
  • Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor in the sauce.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://epicureempire.com/garlic-butter-salmon-creamy-lemon-sauce/