Description
A delicious and elegant Lemon-Brown Butter Salmon recipe featuring perfectly seared salmon fillets cooked skin-side down until crisp, then finished with a vibrant sauce of browned butter, fresh lemon zest and juice, and garlic. This quick stovetop dish delivers rich, tangy flavors with a fresh herb garnish for a restaurant-quality meal you can make in under 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon
- 1 tbsp neutral oil (such as canola or vegetable oil)
- 4 (6-oz.) skin-on salmon fillets
- Kosher salt, to taste
Sauce and Garnish
- 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 large clove garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or dill
Instructions
- Heat oil and season salmon: In a large stainless steel skillet over medium heat, heat the neutral oil until shimmering to prepare for searing. Pat the salmon fillets dry thoroughly to ensure a good sear, then season both sides generously with kosher salt.
- Sear salmon skin-side down: Place the salmon fillets in the skillet skin side down, cooking undisturbed for 4 minutes to develop a crispy skin. Carefully flip the salmon, then finely grate lemon zest evenly around the fillets. Scatter the cubed butter pieces around the salmon, swirling the pan gently to melt the butter and distribute the lemon zest, cooking for an additional 2 minutes.
- Add garlic and lemon juice: Cut the zested lemon in half and squeeze the juice from one half around the salmon fillets. Add the finely chopped garlic to the pan as well. Continue cooking undisturbed until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and the garlic becomes fragrant and slightly softened, about 1 more minute.
- Serve and garnish: Transfer the cooked salmon fillets carefully to a serving platter. Spoon any pan sauce over the top and finish by sprinkling with freshly chopped parsley or dill before serving.
Notes
- Patting the salmon dry before cooking helps achieve a crisp skin.
- Use a stainless steel or non-stick skillet to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- For a slightly different flavor, fresh dill can be used instead of parsley.
- Adjust salt seasoning to your taste preference.
- Serve with steamed vegetables or a light salad for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: salmon, lemon, brown butter, seafood, quick dinner, stovetop salmon, healthy dinner, easy fish recipe
