Pan Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe.
Pan Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter Sauce
A simple and elegant way to sauteed salmon in lemon and butter sauce. The browning of the salmon creates an irresistible exterior that locks in the salmon's moisture, resulting in flaky, juicy salmon fillets.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
- 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, from 2 lemons
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 pounds skinned, boneless salmon fillets, cut into 4 slices (5 ounces each about 1 thick)
Instructions
- Season salmon on both sides with 1/2 salt and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Grate 1 teaspoon of lemon peel, then squeeze 2 lemons to get 4 tablespoons of lemon juice.
- Heat a large (10-12 inch) light-colored skillet over medium heat and immediately add 4 tablespoons butter, stirring constantly to prevent splashing, until light brown and solid butter parts are brown (about 3 tablespoons). 7 minutes (depending on temperature).
- Add the marinated salmon and cook, uncovered on the first side, 3-4 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes or until flakes and cooked through, with an internal temperature of 145°F.
- In the last 2 minutes of cooking, add 1 teaspoon lemon peel and 4 tablespoons lemon juice to the skillet. Pour the sauce over the salmon while it's cooking. Transfer the salmon to plates and sprinkle with the sauce. Sprinkle the cooked salmon in the skillet with chopped parsley and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
The salmon was fantastic! I used lemon infused oil along with the butter and lemon juice for amazing flavor.
Can’t wait to try it. Will take the finished product and place it over a bed of spinach and strawberries. Well DONE!
Made this for dinner tonight and it was really delicious! Restaurant quality and very easy to make! I only made 5 filets and wish I made more! The family loved it! Salmon is a tricky meat for me to cook for some reason. Doesn’t always come out well. But with this recipe you’ve made me an expert! Lol!! Thanks again!
This was worked out really nice – a tasty and healthy dinner with rice and salad..
We are a multi racial family (Chinese and Polish) and all three of us, including our 6 year old daughter, enjoyed the salmon cooked this way. I was worried it would be too sour for my wife, but it was perfect. Thanks very much. Your site has become the # 1 go to for me for trusted recipes.
Hey Would margarine work if I don’t have butter at home?
Thank you!!! It was absolutely delicious and so easy to make!!!
Hey! I’m making this tonight and I have thin salmon fillets and I was wondering if the recipe would still work?
Thanks!
Are your recipes printable?
My sister is making it for us today. Can’t wait!!
Out of all the foods I ever cooked, this recipe is still considered the best by my roommate. He says it is restaurant quality and that he’d pay for this meal.
Absolutely to die for! I prepare salmon fairly often with pretty good results. However this combination of flavors and easy preparation scores 10 in my opinion! I pressed a few garlic cloves and added with the zest and juice. For side dish, I did easy chunks of Yukon gold potatoes with a little garlic added (steamed quickly in microwave with a little garlic). Sauce and parsley garnish over all. This is a restaurant quality meal! Thank you. I love your fun and friendly instructions!