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Quick Juicy Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe for Easy Weeknight Dinner

lemon garlic butter salmon - featured image
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A quick and easy salmon recipe featuring a juicy, buttery lemon garlic sauce that is perfect for weeknight dinners. This dish delivers bold flavor with simple ingredients and minimal fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 skin-on salmon fillets, about 6 oz (170 g) each
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 1 large lemon)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt (kosher or sea salt preferred)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Let sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes.
  2. In a small bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, lemon zest, and half the chopped parsley. Set aside.
  3. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a 10-inch skillet until shimmering but not smoking (about 2 minutes).
  4. Place salmon fillets skin-side down in the pan. Press down gently with a spatula to ensure even contact. Cook for 5-6 minutes without moving to form crispy skin.
  5. Carefully flip each fillet over and reduce heat to medium-low.
  6. Dollop the garlic butter mixture on top of each salmon fillet. As it melts, spoon the buttery sauce over the fish continuously for about 3-4 minutes.
  7. Cook until salmon is just opaque and flakes easily with a fork, about 3-4 minutes more depending on thickness.
  8. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the salmon right before serving. Sprinkle with remaining parsley.
  9. Serve immediately with your favorite sides.

Notes

If garlic starts browning too fast, lower the heat or add the butter later. Be gentle when flipping to preserve crispy skin. For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil or margarine. Oven cooking option: bake at 400°F for 12-15 minutes and spoon garlic butter on before serving. Leftovers keep up to 2 days refrigerated; reheat gently in oven wrapped in foil.

Nutrition

Keywords: salmon, lemon garlic butter salmon, quick salmon recipe, easy weeknight dinner, healthy salmon, buttery salmon, crispy skin salmon

Find it online: https://chloeplate.com/quick-juicy-lemon-garlic-butter-salmon-recipe-for-easy-weeknight-dinner/