This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Pan Seared Salmon is so easy to make in less than 10 minutes and always turns out perfectly crisp on the outside and flaky on the inside. What really sends this entree over the top is the buttery garlic sauce that smothers every bite. It’s got plenty of flavor from fresh lemon, fresh herbs, garlic, and of course BUTTER!
Summer is somehow already upon us! To prepare for the sunny season, I’m planning to make all of my favorite seafood recipes – especially light and easy ones like this pan seared salmon. It’s such an easy, vibrant protein to make and it pairs perfectly with both fresh or roasted summertime veggies. This is an ideal dinner for those hot summer nights when you don’t want anything too heavy!
I love making a quick weeknight dinner that doesn’t weigh you down. Don’t worry about this pan seared salmon recipe not filling you up, though. Salmon filets have a great amount of protein to keep you nice and full, especially when paired with some veggies or more filling sides like rice/pasta. You could even serve this salmon over a bead of leafy greens to make a super nutritious lunch.
Besides the pretty perfect consistency of pan seared salmon, there’s another huge element of this recipe that’ll keep you coming back for more. And that, my friends, is the garlic butter sauce! It’s not just garlic and butter than come together to make this salmon so irresistible. There’s also a good amount of fresh lemony tang and fresh herbs to really make your mouth water!
Start with Fresh Ingredients
- Fresh Salmon – Wild salmon is the best tasting and my go-to choice for salmon. I like to buy a center cut salmon filet and portion it myself for the most economical dinner.
- Seasonings – I lightly season the filets before cooking with kosher salt, garlic powder and fresh cracked black pepper. You can add other seasonings, like onion powder, cumin or sweet paprika but I like to keep it simple.
- Garlic Butter Sauce – I make a homemade garlic butter sauce with olive oil, butter, garlic cloves, lemon zest, lemon juice, chopped fresh dill and chopped fresh parsley. It’s quick, easy and so flavorful.
For the full ingredient list and instructions, see the recipe card below.
How to make Pan Seared Salmon
Grab you skillet and let’s get to searing the BEST salmon with garlic butter sauce with this simple cooking technique!
- Prepare. Preheat a large cast iron skillet or stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat. While that’s heating up, whisk together a mixture of garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Pat the salmon filets dry with a paper towel. Season the salmon with these seasonings.
- Sear the salmon. Add olive oil and butter to the hot skillet. Once simmering, place the salmon skin-side down in the hot pan and turn the heat up to high. Cook the salmon for about 3 minutes or until it has a crispy skin, then, using a fish spatula, flip it over to the flesh side and cook for another 4-5 minutes until golden brown. (An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers an internal temperature of 120˚F to 130˚F for medium rare.)
- Make the garlic butter sauce. Place the salmon on a plate and keep warm. Add more butter to the skillet over medium high heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Mix in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and fresh herbs.
- Enjoy! Serve the salmon with the lemon butter sauce spooned all over the top and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Garnish with more herbs and lemon slices if you’d like, and enjoy!
Your salmon may need to cook a little longer depending on the thickness of the filets. Be sure to check the temperature before you move on to the next step.
Tips for the Best Pan Seared Salmon
Here are just a few ways to make this salmon entree the very best it can be:
- Try not to over-cook it. When cooked for too long, this pan-seared salmon recipe can very easily dry out and lose a lot of the natural flavors we’re trying to compliment. Sometimes, it’s best to check for doneness with a fork. See if the salmon flakes easily with a fork – if it does, it’s done cooking.
- You can use frozen salmon. In fact, did you know that more often than not, the salmon that you buy at the seafood counter has been previously frozen? You can buy a bag of frozen salmon filets for this easy recipe. Just be sure to let the filets fully thaw in the refrigerator before cooking. Also, you’ll want to gently pat them dry with paper towels to get rid of any excess moisture before seasoning them.
- Use fresh lemons and herbs. There’s just nothing quite like the way that fresh lemon juice and herbs compliments salmon! Avoid using dried herbs if possible, and really be sure to steer clear of any lemon juice from concentrate. It just won’t lend the same zesty, fresh flavor that real lemons will.
How to Store Leftovers
Transfer any leftover salmon to an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet or at 50% power in the microwave until heated through.
Enjoy more of the best seafood dinners!
- Salmon Nicoise Salad
- Miso Glazed Salmon
- Salmon Patties
- Blackened Mahi Mahi
- Grilled Clams with Garlic Parmesan Basil Butter
- Pan Fried Tilapia with Lemon Butter
- Honey Glazed Salmon
For more easy seafood recipes, follow us on Instagram and Facebook!
Pan Seared Salmon with Garlic Butter Sauce Recipe
Equipment
- 1 skillet
Ingredients
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 salmon fillets, patted dry with a paper towel
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped dill
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat a large skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes.
- While the skillet is preheating, whisk together the garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Season each salmon filet with the salt mixture on both sides.
- Add the olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter to the skillet.
- Once the oil is shimmering, place the salmon filets in the skillet skin side down and increase the heat to high.
- Cook the salmon for 3 minutes or until it easily releases from the pan when lifted with a spatula. Turn the salmon over and continue to cook until the salmon flakes easily with a fork, approximately 4-5 minuets longer.
- Transfer the salmon to a platter and keep warm.
- Add the remaining butter to the pan and turn the heat to medium high.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, chopped dill and parsley.
- Serve the salmon with the pan sauce spooned over top and garnish with lemons, if desired.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
