Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter Sauce

Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter Sauce is a restaurant-quality dish you can easily prepare at home. With crispy skin, tender flaky flesh, and a bright, silky lemon butter sauce, this recipe balances richness and freshness beautifully. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, date night, or special occasion, it’s simple yet impressive enough to wow your family or guests.

Salmon is packed with healthy omega-3 fatty acids and protein, making this dish both nutritious and indulgent. The lemon butter sauce elevates the flavors, adding a tangy, buttery complement to the salmon’s natural richness. It’s a dish that feels sophisticated without requiring hours in the kitchen.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it’s simple, quick, and absolutely delicious. The salmon comes out perfectly crispy on the outside and tender, flaky on the inside, while the buttery lemon sauce adds a bright, fresh flavor that elevates the dish. It’s healthy, elegant, and versatile—perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion—and always impresses without requiring hours in the kitchen.

Why This Is a Must-Try Dish

• Quick and easy to make
• Healthy yet indulgent
• Crispy skin with tender, flaky flesh
• Balanced flavors with buttery, tangy sauce
• Perfect for both weeknights and special occasions

Once you try this Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter Sauce, it will become a go-to recipe for when you want something impressive and flavorful in under 30 minutes.

Recipe Overview

• Course: Main Course
• Cuisine: American / European-inspired
• Preparation Time: 10 minutes
• Cooking Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Servings: 4
• Calories: Approximately 400 calories per serving

Ingredients

For the Salmon

• 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each), skin-on
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the Lemon Butter Sauce

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Cooking Directions

1. Pat salmon fillets dry and season with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Place salmon fillets skin-side down and sear for 4–5 minutes until skin is crispy.
4. Flip salmon and cook for 2–3 more minutes until salmon is just cooked through.
5. Remove salmon from skillet and set aside.
6. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic for 1 minute.
7. Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper.
8. Pour sauce over salmon and serve immediately.

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

1. Prep Salmon: Pat dry and season both sides.
2. Heat Skillet: Medium-high heat with olive oil until shimmering.
3. Sear Skin-Side: Cook skin-side down first for crispy skin.
4. Flip Fillets: Cook briefly on flesh side until just done.
5. Rest Salmon: Remove from skillet to maintain moisture.
6. Make Lemon Butter Sauce: Sauté garlic, then add butter, lemon juice, zest, and parsley.
7. Combine & Serve: Pour sauce over salmon fillets and garnish with extra parsley if desired.

How to Serve Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter Sauce

• Serve with steamed vegetables, rice, or mashed potatoes
• Pair with a fresh green salad or roasted asparagus
• Drizzle extra sauce over the side for presentation
• Garnish with lemon wedges and parsley

Recipe Tips

• Pat salmon dry for crispy skin
• Don’t overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if needed
• Use fresh lemons for bright flavor
• Let salmon rest briefly after cooking for juicy results

Variations (Detailed)

Garlic Herb Butter Salmon

Add fresh thyme, rosemary, or dill to the sauce.

Spicy Lemon Butter Salmon

Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the butter sauce.

Honey Lemon Salmon

Drizzle a teaspoon of honey into the lemon butter for a touch of sweetness.

Creamy Lemon Sauce

Stir in 2 tablespoons of heavy cream for a richer sauce.

Asian-Inspired Variation

Add soy sauce, ginger, and sesame oil instead of lemon butter.

Freezing and Storage

Refrigerator

• Store cooked salmon in an airtight container
• Keeps for 2 days

Freezer

• Not recommended after cooking; salmon is best fresh
• You can freeze raw fillets for 1–2 months

Reheating

• Gently reheat in a skillet over low heat
• Avoid microwaving to preserve texture

Special Equipment Needed

• Large non-stick or stainless steel skillet
• Tongs or spatula
• Measuring spoons
• Knife and cutting board

Conclusion

Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter Sauce is a quick, elegant, and healthy dish that delivers restaurant-quality flavor at home. With crispy skin, tender flesh, and a luscious lemony sauce, it’s perfect for weeknight dinners, date nights, or special occasions.

Once you try this recipe, you’ll have a go-to salmon dish that’s fast, flavorful, and always impressive.