If you’re craving a mouthwatering meal that’s fast, flavorful, and foolproof, this Garlic Butter Salmon is the answer. It’s pan-seared to perfection, smothered in a luscious garlic butter sauce, and ready in under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, romantic dinners at home, or any time you want a dish that feels fancy with minimal effort.
Why This Garlic Butter Salmon Wins Every Time
- Ready in just 20–25 minutes
- Uses pantry-staple ingredients
- Rich, buttery flavor with a garlicky punch
- Crispy on the outside, tender and juicy inside
- Works with fresh or frozen salmon
How to Make Garlic Butter Salmon
Print- Total Time: 20 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Quick and juicy garlic butter salmon that’s ready in under 30 minutes. Loaded with flavor and perfect for weeknights.
Ingredients
4 salmon fillets (6 oz each)
4 tbsp unsalted butter
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Fresh parsley, chopped
Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
1. Pat salmon dry and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Place salmon skin-side down and sear 4–5 minutes.
4. Flip and cook 3–4 minutes until cooked through.
5. Push salmon to side, add butter and garlic.
6. Cook garlic 1 minute until fragrant.
7. Add lemon juice and spoon garlic butter over salmon.
8. Serve hot with lemon wedges and parsley.
Notes
Use fresh or thawed frozen salmon.
Don’t overcook—salmon should flake easily with a fork.
Pairs well with roasted veggies or rice.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Pan-Seared
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Tips for Perfect Garlic Butter Salmon
- Don’t overcrowd the pan—cook in batches if needed.
- Use a fish spatula for easy flipping.
- Internal temp should reach 145°F (63°C) for safe cooking.
- For extra flavor, marinate salmon in lemon juice and olive oil for 15 minutes before cooking.
What to Serve With Garlic Butter Salmon
This dish pairs beautifully with:
- Garlic mashed potatoes
- Roasted asparagus
- Steamed broccoli
- Rice pilaf
- Fresh salad with vinaigrette
