This pan seared salmon is tender salmon fillets coated in the most delicious garlic butter sauce. A super easy dinner option that can be on the table in less than 20 minutes!
Salmon is a quick and healthy meal that takes minimal effort to cook. I often find myself making marinated salmon, salmon foil packets and this fabulously delicious pan seared salmon.
When I’m looking for a simple meal that I know everyone will love, I turn to pan seared salmon. Salmon takes just minutes to cook, and the sauce for this dish only contains 5 ingredients! It doesn’t get much easier than this.
How do you make pan seared salmon?
This recipe starts with salmon fillets. The salmon fillets get seared to golden brown in a little olive oil until they’re cooked through. The next step is to remove the salmon from the pan and make a sauce of melted butter, garlic and lemon. Add the salmon back to the pan and spoon the sauce over the top. The finishing touch is a sprinkling of parsley and then you’ll be ready to eat!
Tips for pan seared salmon
- To get the best golden brown crust on your fish, you’ll want to make sure your pan is very hot and that the salmon fillets are patted dry before they are added to the pan. Let your salmon cook undisturbed for about 5 minutes for the best results.
- I like to use wild salmon when possible, as it’s more flavorful and has more nutrients than farmed salmon
- Be sure not to overcook your fish! Your salmon is done when it’s opaque and easily flakes. This typically takes about 5 minutes per side for an average sized salmon fillet.
- Serve your salmon over rice, pasta or mashed potatoes to soak up all that delicious butter sauce. I also add a green vegetable on the side such as asparagus, broccoli or zucchini.
Pan seared salmon variations
This is a basic recipe for pan seared salmon, but there are so many different ingredients you can add to customize this dish to your tastes!
- Vegetables: You can cook some vegetables in the garlic butter sauce before you spoon it over the salmon. Some great options include spinach or mushrooms. You can also add a handful of halved cherry tomatoes to the finished dish.
- Seasonings: Try adding some sun dried tomatoes, olives or minced shallots to the sauce.
- Finishing Touches: Instead of parsley, try chives or dill. You can also add a sprinkling of feta cheese or cooked crumbled bacon.
IS SALMON HEALTHY?
Salmon is a great choice for a healthy diet. This fish is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. Salmon is full of vitamins and minerals including Vitamin B12, potassium and selenium. Salmon is also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids which have numerous health benefits. It’s recommended to eat salmon about once a week if possible.
When I’m looking for a recipe that’s hassle free yet totally satisfying, I turn to this salmon. It just can’t be beat!
More great salmon recipes
- Honey Mustard Salmon
- Honey Garlic Salmon
- Salmon with Avocado Salsa
- Salmon in Foil
- Greek Salmon Salad
Pan Seared Salmon
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets 4-6 ounces each
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper to taste.
- Place the salmon fillets, skin side up, in the pan. Cook undisturbed for 5 minutes, or until a golden brown crust forms.
- Carefully flip the salmon and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes or until fish is opaque and easily flakes.
- Remove the salmon from the pan. Add the butter to the pan and melt.
- Add the garlic to the pan and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Stir in the lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste.
- Place the salmon back in the pan. Spoon the sauce over the top.
- Sprinkle the parsley over the salmon, then serve.
Elizabeth says
I just made this with 2 salmon filets and decreased the other ingredients accordingly. It is fantastic. Simple and yet so perfect for Spring. I used Redmond salt, which I really like. Will have the other filet on a salad tomorrow. If you are wondering about trying this recipe, just do it! You will be happy.
Char says
Is it possible to broil salmon in the oven to cook and then finish off with the sauce when plating? If so how long would you recommend?
Sara says
Yes that’s fine, broil for about 10-12 minutes!
Faye says
I have just tried this tonight and it’s soooo good. I didn’t have lemons so I used calamansi (lime) instead. Yum yum, thank you!
Debi says
Being stuck inside due to the current situation, I needed to prepare something quick and healthy. This recipe did not disappoint!! It’s was quick and easy make!! Very good sauce as well (paired up mashed potatoes). I’ll definitely keep this in my rotation for dinners to come!
Randy says
Looks and sounds great! But why cook the salmon with the skin side UP first? I have always pan-seared it SKIN-SIDE DOWN for a minute or two, at which time, the skin just slides off intact, Then I finish cooking the same side before flipping to cook the other side. It may be irrelevant, but I am still curious as to your preference…
Sara says
If you prefer to do it that way you can. I always put it skin side up because then the top of the salmon that you eat will have a nice golden brown sear on it without any burnt bits, etc that you might get if you cook the skin first then flip it.
Melany Clearman says
First time making salmon tonight. I used this recipe and it was fantastic. Thanks for the recipe.
Steve Mott says
Not a big salmon fan, but the crust on the fish with the sauce make a very good meal. And it is easy and quick to make.
Kree’o Lady says
Wow I really enjoyed this believe it r not I had it with some left over grits n cabbage with potatoes n carrot soufflé which is a veggie but taste like a desert with a glass of Chardonnay the skin was so crispy .
Michael Turley says
Made this for the wife and I for dinner tonight – AWESOME!!! Salmon was moist and tender and the garlic butter sauce just added to it. Added some garlic herb seasoning with the salt and pepper and let sit for a couple hours in the fridge before cooking. Definitely on the repeat recipe list!!!
Sherry says
Simple and delicious. The salmon turned out perfectly cooked, I thought it might be overdone so I removed it from the pan after it cooked 4 minutes on the second side. Make sure to do the butter, garlic and lemon sauce, it takes it to another level. I served it with mashed potato’s and sauteed kale. So good!
Jacque Hooper says
Such a great recipe for salmon! Flavorful, easy and PERFECT for summer!
Michelle says
Light, healthy and amazing. Thanks for sharing!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
This looks incredibly delicious!
Melanie Bauer says
Looks so delish! Definitely having this specially when we need something quick and easy meal!
Erin Dee says
Easy dinner for the win! This is going on repeat!
Carolyn says
The best pan salmon that I’ve ever made. It was amazing
Jacque Hooper says
Tasty, healthy, and easy! Served this for my family and had everyone smiling! Even my picky eaters cleared their plates! Delicious!
Beth Pierce says
This was the best light and healthy dinner I have made in a long time and it was hands down, delicious! Can’t wait to enjoy this all summer long!
Darina says
Looks super easy to make and extremely delicious! I would really love to make this at home!
Chrissie Baker says
Salmon is one of my favorite foods of all time. However I am scared to cook it for some reason. I definitely need to get over it and try your recipe!
Paula says
Looks like my summer go to dinner on repeat.