Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Garlic Butter Salmon is a quick, savory dish that delivers perfectly pan-seared salmon fillets coated in a rich garlic butter sauce. The combination of crispy, golden salmon and a flavorful, creamy sauce makes this dish a weeknight winner, ideal for any seafood lover or anyone looking to impress with minimal effort!
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Salmon:
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4 boneless skinless salmon fillets (approx. 4-5oz / 120-150g each)
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40g (1/4 cup) plain flour
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1 tsp garlic powder
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1 tsp salt (plus more to taste)
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1/2 tsp black pepper (plus more to taste)
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1/2 tbsp olive oil
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6 tbsp (90g / 3.2oz) unsalted butter, divided into chunks
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2 cloves garlic, finely diced
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120ml (1/2 cup) vegetable stock
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1 tbsp finely diced fresh parsley
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1 lemon, cut into 4 wedges (for serving)
Directions
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Prepare the Salmon: In a large shallow dish, combine flour, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Coat each salmon fillet with the flour mixture, shaking off any excess, and set the fillets aside.
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Cook the Salmon: Heat olive oil in a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the salmon fillets to the pan and fry for about 3 minutes on one side until a golden crust forms. Carefully flip the fillets and fry for an additional 2 minutes on the other side, until golden. Add 1 tbsp of butter and baste the fillets with the melted butter for about a minute, or until the salmon is nearly cooked through. Remove the fillets from the pan and lower the heat to medium.
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Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: Add the diced garlic to the pan and cook until it just begins to turn golden (be cautious not to burn the garlic, as it will turn bitter). Pour in the vegetable stock, scraping the bottom of the pan to release any flavorful bits. Add the remaining butter and whisk until it melts and emulsifies into the stock, creating a smooth, cloudy sauce. Stir in the chopped parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Simmer and Baste: Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until it begins to thicken. Lower the heat and add the salmon fillets back into the pan, basting them in the sauce to warm them through. The sauce will thicken further as you baste the salmon.
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Serve: Serve the garlic butter salmon with extra sauce and a wedge of lemon on each plate. Squeeze lemon juice over the salmon to balance the richness of the sauce.
Servings and Timing
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
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Cook Time: 15 minutes
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Total Time: 25 minutes
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Servings: 4 servings
Variations
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Dairy-Free Version: Use ghee or a non-dairy butter substitute to make this recipe dairy-free.
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Add Vegetables: Serve this dish with roasted asparagus, broccoli, or mashed potatoes to make it a fuller meal.
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Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter sauce for a touch of heat.
Storage/Reheating
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Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
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Reheating: Reheat gently in a pan over low heat or in the microwave, ensuring not to overcook the salmon.
FAQs
Can I use frozen salmon?
Yes, you can use frozen salmon fillets. Just make sure to thaw them thoroughly before cooking.
Can I use other fish for this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute other types of firm fish, like cod or halibut, for the salmon. Just adjust the cooking time as needed based on the thickness of the fillets.
How do I know when the salmon is done?
Salmon is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) and flakes easily with a fork.
Can I make the garlic butter sauce ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the garlic butter sauce ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 2 days. Just reheat it gently before serving.
How can I adjust the sauce consistency?
If the sauce is too thin, let it simmer for a few more minutes to thicken. If it’s too thick, add a little more vegetable stock and whisk it back together.
Conclusion
This Garlic Butter Salmon recipe is an easy, elegant dinner that’s full of flavor and perfect for busy weeknights. The garlic butter sauce elevates the salmon to a whole new level, and with just a few ingredients, this dish is quick, simple, and sure to become a regular in your dinner rotation.
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Garlic Butter Salmon
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
This Garlic Butter Salmon recipe features perfectly pan-seared salmon fillets drizzled in a rich and savory garlic butter sauce, making for a quick and flavorful dinner that is sure to impress.
Ingredients
4 boneless skinless salmon fillets (approx. 4-5oz / 120-150g each)
40g (1/4 cup) plain flour
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt (plus more to taste)
1/2 tsp black pepper (plus more to taste)
1/2 tbsp olive oil
6 tbsp (90g / 3.2oz) unsalted butter, divided into chunks
2 cloves garlic, finely diced
120ml (1/2 cup) vegetable stock
1 tbsp finely diced fresh parsley
1 lemon, cut into 4 wedges (for serving)
Instructions
Prepare the Salmon: In a large shallow dish, combine flour, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Coat each salmon fillet with the flour mixture, shaking off any excess, and set the fillets aside.
Cook the Salmon: Heat olive oil in a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the salmon fillets to the pan and fry for about 3 minutes on one side until a golden crust forms. Carefully flip the fillets and fry for an additional 2 minutes on the other side, until golden. Add 1 tbsp of butter and baste the fillets with the melted butter for about a minute, or until the salmon is nearly cooked through. Remove the fillets from the pan and lower the heat to medium.
Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: Add the diced garlic to the pan and cook until it just begins to turn golden (be cautious not to burn the garlic, as it will turn bitter). Pour in the vegetable stock, scraping the bottom of the pan to release any flavorful bits. Add the remaining butter and whisk until it melts and emulsifies into the stock, creating a smooth, cloudy sauce. Stir in the chopped parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Simmer and Baste: Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until it begins to thicken. Lower the heat and add the salmon fillets back into the pan, basting them in the sauce to warm them through. The sauce will thicken further as you baste the salmon.
Serve: Serve the garlic butter salmon with extra sauce and a wedge of lemon on each plate. Squeeze lemon juice over the salmon to balance the richness of the sauce.
Notes
Garlic: Use fresh garlic for the best flavor. Jarred garlic can alter the taste of the dish.
Butter: Unsalted butter gives you more control over the seasoning. If using salted butter, adjust the salt accordingly.
Salmon: Salmon fillets will continue cooking slightly once removed from the pan, so ensure they are just cooked through by the time you remove them.
Consistency: If the sauce thickens too much, add 1 tbsp of stock and whisk it back together.
Serving Suggestions: This dish pairs beautifully with Parmesan smashed potatoes, asparagus, roasted baby potatoes, or rice to soak up the extra garlic butter sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
