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Pan-Seared Garlic Butter Salmon with Lemon & Herbs

Name: Pan-Seared Garlic Butter Salmon with Lemon & Herbs
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 17 min
Yield: 4 fillets
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 fillets center-cut salmon fillets (6 oz each) (skin-on or skinless, patted completely dry); 1 tsp kosher salt; 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper; 1 tbsp olive oil (for high heat searing); 3 tbsp unsalted butter (cut into pieces); 4 cloves fresh garlic (minced fine); 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (freshly squeezed); 2 tbsp fresh dill or parsley (chopped)

Crispy pan-seared salmon fillets basted in a rich garlic butter pan sauce with lemon juice and fresh dill. Made in one skillet in under 20 minutes.

Marcus Reed Sep 1, 2026

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Golden pan-seared salmon fillets in a skillet with garlic herb butter and lemon wedges

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Why This Recipe Works

Moisture is the enemy of a crisp restaurant sear. Ensure the fish is bone-dry before it touches hot oil. For crispier skin, start skin-side down over medium heat and press gently with a spatula for 10 seconds.

Cookeek Tested Recipe

Pan-Seared Garlic Butter Salmon with Lemon & Herbs

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 12 mins

Total Time 17 mins

Yield 4 fillets

🌱 Gluten-Free 🌱 Keto 🍽️ American 🍽️ Mediterranean Dinner Main Course

Ingredients

Click any ingredient to strike it off while cooking.

Servings:

Salmon & Seasoning

4 fillets center-cut salmon fillets (6 oz each) (skin-on or skinless, patted completely dry)
1 tsp kosher salt
0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp olive oil (for high heat searing)

Garlic Butter Pan Sauce

3 tbsp unsalted butter (cut into pieces)
4 cloves fresh garlic (minced fine)
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
2 tbsp fresh dill or parsley (chopped)

Recommended Kitchen Equipment

Tested tools that yield the best results for this recipe.

12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet

Flexible Stainless Fish Spatula

Digital Instant Read Thermometer

Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Pat salmon fillets thoroughly dry with paper towels on both sides. Season evenly with kosher salt and black pepper.

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2

Heat olive oil in a heavy stainless steel or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Carefully lay salmon fillets flesh-side down (or skin-side up). Cook undisturbed for 4 to 5 minutes until a golden crust develops.

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3

Carefully flip fillets using a thin fish spatula. Reduce heat to medium. Add butter, minced garlic, and lemon juice into the pan.

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4

As butter melts and foams with garlic, tilt pan slightly and spoon the aromatic garlic butter over the salmon repeatedly for 3 to 4 minutes until internal temp reaches 125°F–130°F (52°C–54°C) for medium. Garnish with fresh dill and serve immediately.

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📦 Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

Store leftover cooked salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a low skillet or flake cold into salads.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories 420

Protein 38g

Carbs 2g

Fat 28g

Fiber 0g

Sugar 0g

Sodium 460mg

Reader Reviews & Ratings

★★★★★

5.0 (1 reviews)

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Julia M. ★★★★★

Made this tonight for my family and it was an absolute hit! The scaling feature made it so easy to cook for 6 people instead of 4. Bookmarking this immediately!

Verified Home Cook