Dinner doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious.
This pan-seared salmon with lemon butter sauce is proof! The dish is incredibly easy to prepare, requiring minimal ingredients and coming together in under 30 minutes.

The result? Perfectly seared salmon with a crisp, golden crust and a luxuriously light lemon butter sauce that will have you wanting to go back for seconds.

Imagine a plump, salmon fillet with a beautiful golden-brown sear on the outside.
Flake it open with your fork to reveal juicy, tender salmon within.
A rich, lemon butter sauce with a hint of parsley glistens on the plate, ready to complement every bite.

The Classic: Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter Sauce

Indulge in restaurant-style pan-seared salmon bathed in a luxuriously light lemon butter sauce. Easy to make and bursting with fresh flavours, this dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner that impresses.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 15

Total Time 20

Course Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine Australian, New Zealand

Servings 2 serves

Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

Large skillet or frying pan
Spatula
Spoon
Small saucepan

Ingredients

For the salmon:

2 salmon fillets, each about 150g skinless and boneless
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 tbsp olive oil

Lemon butter sauce:

2 tbsp unsalted butter for optional option
2 tbsp unsalted butter for the sauce
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 minced garlic clove, optional

Instructions

Cook the salmon fillets:

Pat the 2 salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season generously with Salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides.
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully place the 2 salmon fillets, in the pan, skin-side down (if using skin-on salmon).
Sear for 3-4 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
Gently flip the salmon fillets and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until cooked through (flaky when tested with a fork).

Make your lemon butter sauce:

(optional) In a small saucepan, melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat.
Add 1 minced garlic clove, (if using) and Sautee for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the remaining 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, and 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
Let the sauce Emulsify, stirring constantly.

Plating:

Transfer the cooked salmon fillets to plates.
Spoon the lemon butter sauce over the salmon and serve immediately.

Notes

Recipe Tips

For extra crispy skin (if using skin-on salmon), score the skin side with a sharp knife before searing.
Don't overcook the salmon! It will continue to cook slightly even after removing it from the heat.
Love a stronger lemon flavor? Add an extra teaspoon of lemon juice to the sauce.
This recipe is easily doubled or tripled to feed a crowd.

Serving Suggestions:

Enjoy this Smoked Salmon Salad on its own for a light lunch or pair it with crusty bread sticks.
For a more substantial meal, serve it over a bed of quinoa or Jasmin Rice.
Serve over a bed of potato salad for a delicious option.
Pair with roasted asparagus or green beans for a well-rounded meal.
Top with a sprinkle of fresh parmesan cheese for an extra cheesy bite.
Serve with a side salad drizzled with a simple vinaigrette.