Salmon in Garlic Butter

Name: Salmon in Garlic Butter
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 6 min
Total time: 11 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 4 fillets salmon fillets, skinless and boneless (6 oz each); 0.5 tsp kosher salt; 0.25 tsp freshly cracked black pepper; 1.5 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil; 1 tbsp garlic, finely minced (about 3 cloves); 90 g salted butter, cut into small cubes; 1 tsp fresh lemon juice; 2 tsp fresh parsley, finely chopped

Garlic Butter Salmon with Lemon Finish

Restaurant-quality salmon that's surprisingly approachable at home. The key is the continuous butter basting — those 90 seconds of spooning hot, garlicky butter over the fish creates an incredibly tender result with a gorgeous golden surface.

DinnerGluten FreeKetoLow CarbHigh ProteinQuick MealsDate NightHealthySeafoodFish

Prep5 min

Cook6 min

Total11 min

Servings4

Difficultymedium

Ingredients

4 filletssalmon fillets, skinless and boneless (6 oz each)
½ tspkosher salt
¼ tspfreshly cracked black pepper
1½ tbspextra-virgin olive oil
1 tbspgarlic, finely minced (about 3 cloves)
90 gsalted butter, cut into small cubes
1 tspfresh lemon juice
2 tspfresh parsley, finely chopped

Instructions

Pull the salmon from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes — this prevents the outside from overcooking while the center catches up. Pat each fillet completely dry and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
⏱ 30 min
Warm the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Carefully place the salmon fillets presentation-side down, giving each piece its own space. Let them sear undisturbed for 3 minutes until they develop a beautiful golden crust.
⏱ 3 min
Flip the salmon gently using a thin spatula and cook for just 1 minute on the second side. The fish should feel slightly firm but still give a little when pressed.
⏱ 1 min
Drop the butter cubes around the salmon and watch them melt and start foaming. As soon as they're bubbling, scatter in the garlic and immediately begin basting — tilt the pan to pool the butter on one side, then use a spoon to continuously pour it over the salmon for 90 seconds. The garlic should be fragrant but not browned.
⏱ 1 min 30 sec
Check the thickest part of the salmon with an instant-read thermometer — you want 122°F for perfect medium-rare. Transfer the fillets to serving plates and let them rest for 3 minutes while the residual heat finishes the cooking.
⏱ 3 min
Keep the pan on the turned-off burner so the butter stays warm and liquid. Stir the lemon juice into the garlic butter — it should sizzle briefly and brighten the whole mixture.
Spoon the lemon garlic butter generously over each salmon fillet and finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Serve immediately while everything is still warm.