Garlic Butter Salmon

This Garlic Butter Salmon is tender, flaky, and full of rich buttery flavor with fresh garlic, lemon, and herbs. It’s a quick, healthy dinner that’s ready in just 20 minutes.

Ingredients

4 salmon fillets (6 oz / 170 g each)
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions

Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides with the paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Place the salmon skin-side down and cook for 4–5 minutes without moving it.
Carefully flip the salmon and cook for another 3–4 minutes, until the fish flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
Reduce the heat to low. Add the butter and minced garlic to the skillet.
Cook for 30–60 seconds, stirring the butter until fragrant.
Stir in the lemon juice and lemon zest.
Spoon the garlic butter sauce over the salmon for 1 minute.
Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges.

Tips

Let the salmon sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before cooking for more even results.
Pat the fillets dry to help them develop a crisp exterior.
Avoid overcooking—salmon continues to cook slightly after it’s removed from the heat.
Fresh lemon juice provides the best flavor.

Serving Suggestions

Steamed asparagus
Garlic mashed potatoes
Roasted broccoli
Rice pilaf
Quinoa
Garden salad

Storage

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze cooked salmon for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: Approximately 390 calories per serving

SALMON