Zingy Lemon Butter Garlic Salmon Recipe For Seafood Lovers

Weeknight dinners demand quick, delicious solutions that wow everyone at the table.

This mouthwatering lemon butter garlic salmon recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor in under 30 minutes.

Tender salmon fillets dance with rich, zesty notes of butter and garlic, creating a culinary symphony on your plate.

Fresh lemon brightens every single bite, cutting through the richness with perfect acidity.

The recipe requires minimal ingredients and even less effort, making it ideal for busy home cooks seeking stunning results.

Simple techniques ensure your salmon emerges perfectly flaky and succulent every single time.

Dive into this elegant yet effortless dish that promises to become your new seafood favorite.

Tools That Help You Nail the Garlic-Lemon Butter Finish

• Oven: Preheats to 425°F for perfect salmon baking.
• Skillet: Essential for preparing and baking salmon fillets.
• Medium bowl: Used for mixing lemon, oil, and mustard marinade.
• Medium saucepan: Needed for creating creamy butter garlic sauce.
• Measuring cups/spoons: Helps accurately measure ingredients.
• Whisk or fork: Great for mixing marinade and blending sauce.
• Cutting board: For chopping garlic and parsley.
• Sharp knife: Helps mince garlic and chop fresh parsley.

How to Cook Salmon with Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce

• Oven Preparation

Set the oven to a hot temperature, positioning the rack right in the center of the cooking space.

• Flavor Fusion

Create a zesty marinade by blending tangy citrus, golden olive oil, aromatic garlic, and a hint of smooth mustard.

• Salmon Seasoning

Gently place the fish in a skillet, lavishing it with the flavor mixture. Sprinkle with a touch of ground pepper and sea salt.

• Baking Moment

Slide the salmon into the heated oven, allowing it to cook until perfectly tender and flaky, typically around 12 minutes.

• Luxurious Sauce

In a separate pan, transform butter into a silky base. Introduce minced garlic, letting its fragrance bloom briefly.

• Creamy Transformation

Pour rich cream into the pan, watching it bubble and thicken into a velvety sauce.

• Final Touch

Remove the sauce from heat, adding a final splash of citrus. Drizzle the golden sauce over the baked salmon, letting it rest and absorb all the incredible flavors.

Tips for Flaky, Tender Lemon Butter Salmon

• Mix up your seafood experience with these tasty tips and creative twists.
• Replace salmon with halibut, cod, or sea bass for an equally delicious marine meal that keeps dinner exciting and fresh.
• Sprinkle fresh dill, thyme, or chives into the sauce for an aromatic boost that elevates the entire dish's flavor profile and adds beautiful green color.
• Add red pepper flakes or a dash of smoked paprika to the sauce for a subtle kick that transforms the mild salmon into a zesty culinary adventure.
• Prepare the lemon butter sauce up to two days in advance and store in an airtight container. Gently reheat before serving to save time and reduce kitchen stress during meal preparation.

Serving Salmon with Sides That Shine

• Pair with Fresh Greens: Create a vibrant side salad with mixed spring greens, cherry tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette to balance the rich salmon.
• Complement with Roasted Vegetables: Serve alongside roasted asparagus, zucchini, or Brussels sprouts to add color and nutritional value to the plate.
• Serve with Creamy Risotto: Plate the salmon over a bed of lemon-herb risotto to soak up the delicious garlic butter sauce and create a restaurant-worthy meal.
• Wine Pairing Option: Choose a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to enhance the lemony, buttery flavors of the salmon dish.

Store and Reheat Lemon Garlic Salmon Like a Chef

• Maximize Freshness: Store cooked salmon in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it refrigerated for up to 3 days. Quality remains best when consumed quickly.
• Rapid Cooling Strategy: Let salmon cool completely at room temperature before sealing in storage containers. This prevents condensation and maintains texture integrity.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Warm salmon gently in the oven at 275°F for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying. Avoid microwave reheating to preserve delicate fish moisture.
• Meal Prep Wisdom: Prepare salmon sauce separately and store in a sealed container for up to 4 days. Keep sauce and fish components separate to maintain optimal taste and prevent soggy texture when reheating.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 431 kcal

Servings: 6

Lemon Butter Garlic Salmon Ingredients

• Salmon Fillets: Fresh, wild-caught salmon delivers rich omega-3 flavor and tender texture; choose bright, firm pieces with minimal fishy smell.
• Olive Oil: Helps distribute marinade evenly and enhances salmon's natural moistness; extra virgin provides deeper flavor profile.
• Salt, Ground Black Pepper: Essential seasoning boosters that elevate salmon's natural taste and create delightful aromatic crust.

• Lemon Juice: Bright citrus element that tenderizes fish and adds zesty freshness; choose ripe, heavy lemons for maximum juice.
• Dijon Mustard: Provides tangy depth and helps bind marinade ingredients smoothly; Dijon offers more complex flavor than regular mustard.
• Garlic: Aromatic powerhouse that infuses rich, pungent notes into salmon; select firm, plump cloves without sprouting.

• Butter: Creates luxurious, silky sauce base with deep, nutty undertones; unsalted butter allows better seasoning control.
• Heavy Cream: Transforms sauce into velvety, rich texture; look for high-fat content cream for maximum smoothness.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that adds bright, clean garnish and subtle green complexity; choose vibrant, crisp leaves.

Succulent Lemon Butter Garlic Salmon Recipe

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4.7 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Succulent lemon butter garlic salmon delivers restaurant-quality elegance with simple home cooking techniques. Crisp herbs and zesty citrus create perfect pan-seared seafood you can master in minutes.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 5 salmon fillets (skinless), 150 g/5 oz each
• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• ½ cup heavy cream or half and half
• 2 tbsps freshly squeezed lemon juice (for salmon)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 garlic clove (minced, for salmon)
• 2 tbsps old style Dijon mustard
• ½ tsp ground black pepper (for salmon)
• Salt, to taste
• 1 ½ tbsps garlic cloves (minced)
• 1–2 tbsps freshly squeezed lemon juice (for sauce, optional)
• 1 tbsp parsley (finely chopped)
• ½ tsp ground black pepper (for sauce)
• Lemon slices, for serving

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Position oven rack centrally and heat to 425°F (220°C), creating optimal cooking environment for salmon.
2. Marinade Creation: Whisk lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and Dijon mustard into a harmonious blending that will infuse the fish with robust flavors.
3. Salmon Seasoning: Nestle salmon fillets in skillet, thoroughly coating with marinade and massaging mixture into flesh to maximize flavor absorption, then dust evenly with kosher salt and black pepper.
4. Initial Cooking: Slide skillet into preheated oven, allowing salmon to bake 12-14 minutes until achieving a translucent, flaky consistency that signals perfect doneness.
5. Sauce Preparation: Simultaneously craft luxurious sauce by gently melting butter, introducing minced garlic for 20-30 seconds, then incorporating heavy cream and allowing gentle simmer to develop rich, velvety texture.
6. Finishing Touches: Remove salmon from oven, permitting brief resting period to seal in moisture, then cascade creamy garlic sauce over fillets and embellish with fresh parsley and additional pepper cracklings for elegant presentation.

Notes

• Ensure Even Cooking: Position the oven rack in the center to guarantee uniform heat distribution and prevent uneven salmon preparation.
• Maximize Flavor Absorption: Massage the marinade into the salmon fillets to enhance taste penetration and create a more delicious result.
• Prevent Garlic Burning: Sauté garlic briefly (20-30 seconds) in butter to release its aromatic qualities without scorching, which can create a bitter taste.
• Rest and Retain Moisture: Allow salmon to rest 5-7 minutes after cooking to help the fish retain its juices and maintain a tender, succulent texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 431
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 21 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 3 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 29 g
• Cholesterol: 96 mg