Seafood

Seafood

Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter

Crispy-skinned salmon in a bright lemon-butter pan sauce. 20 minutes, weeknight-friendly, dinner-party worthy.

Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter
Prep
5m
Cook
12m
Total
17m
Serves
4

Ingredients

  • 4 (6 oz) salmon fillets, skin on
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 tbsp capers, drained
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill or parsley

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories
440 kcal
Protein
36 g
Carbs
3 g
Fat
30 g

Instructions

  1. 1

    Pat salmon dry. Season both sides with salt and pepper.

  2. 2

    Heat oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Place fillets skin-side down. Press gently for 30 seconds to keep flat.

  3. 3

    Cook undisturbed 4–5 minutes until skin is deeply crisp and releases easily. Flip and cook 2–3 minutes more to medium.

  4. 4

    Transfer to plates. Reduce heat to medium-low; add butter and garlic, swirl until fragrant, 30 seconds.

  5. 5

    Off heat, stir in lemon juice and capers. Spoon over salmon. Top with herbs.

Cook's tips

  • Dry skin = crispy skin. Pat thoroughly.
  • Don't move the fillets while the skin is crisping.