Go Back

Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon Fillets

Juicy and flavorful salmon fillets seared to perfection and bathed in a luscious lemon garlic butter sauce. This easy recipe is ready in under 30 minutes and is perfect for weeknight dinners or any occasion!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Salmon
  • 4 fillets salmon fillets about 6 oz each
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp onion powder
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil for searing
For the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 1.5 lemons juice of lemons
  • 1 lemon zest of lemon
  • 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup optional
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard optional
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • Paper towels
  • Tongs

Method
 

  1. First things first, let’s get our salmon ready. Pat those beautiful fillets dry with paper towels. This is a super important step for getting a nice sear! Then, give them a good sprinkle of smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper on both sides. Don't be shy – this is where a lot of the flavor comes from!
  2. Now, heat that 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s shimmering, carefully place your seasoned salmon fillets in the skillet. Let them sear undisturbed for about 3–4 minutes per side. You’re looking for a gorgeous golden-brown crust. Once seared, remove the salmon from the skillet and set it aside. It’ll finish cooking in the amazing sauce we’re about to make!
  3. Lower the skillet heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the unsalted butter. Let that butter melt into a luscious pool. As soon as it’s melted, toss in your minced garlic. Sauté it for just about 30–60 seconds until it’s wonderfully fragrant. Be careful not to burn it – we want that sweet garlic flavor!
  4. Now for the best part – the sauce! Stir in the fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, honey or maple syrup (if you’re using it), Dijon mustard (if you’re feeling fancy!), and a pinch more salt and pepper. Let this lovely mixture simmer for 1–2 minutes. You’ll notice it start to thicken slightly, becoming a glossy, irresistible sauce.
  5. Gently return the seared salmon fillets back into the skillet, nestling them into that incredible lemon garlic butter sauce. Spoon that glorious sauce right over the top of each fillet. Let it all simmer together for another 1–2 minutes, just to warm the salmon through and allow the flavors to meld beautifully. This step is crucial for ensuring the salmon is perfectly coated in that divine sauce.
  6. And just like that, you’ve made restaurant-quality salmon! Serve your Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon Fillets immediately, with a generous spoonful of that shimmering sauce over each piece. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of green and a hint of freshness. This dish pairs wonderfully with a simple salad or some fluffy rice, perhaps even some of my high-protein garlic shrimp fried rice for a complete meal!

Notes

While this recipe is fantastic as is, we all love to play in the kitchen, right? Here are a few ideas: Herbs: Don’t have parsley? Fresh dill or chives also work beautifully! Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little heat. Veggies: Toss in some spinach or cherry tomatoes during the last minute of cooking the sauce for some added color and nutrients. Different Fish: This lemon garlic butter sauce is also divine on other types of fish, like cod or halibut, or even shrimp!