Lemon Butter Salmon Skillet – Pan-Seared Salmon with Garlic Lemon Butter

Lemon Butter Salmon Skillet is a simple yet elegant dish featuring golden pan-seared salmon finished with a glossy garlic lemon butter sauce.

As the salmon cooks, the skin becomes crisp while the inside stays tender and flaky. Butter melts in the hot pan with garlic, creating a fragrant base for the sauce.

Fresh lemon juice brightens the butter and forms a silky glaze that coats the salmon.

--------------------------------
Ingredients (Serves 2–3)

For the salmon
2 salmon fillets
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil

--------------------------------
For the lemon butter sauce
3 tablespoons butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon chopped parsley

--------------------------------
Step-by-step cooking

Step 1 – Season salmon
Pat salmon dry and season with salt and pepper.

--------------------------------
Step 2 – Heat pan
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.

--------------------------------
Step 3 – Sear salmon
Place salmon skin-side down and cook until the skin becomes crisp.

--------------------------------
Step 4 – Flip fish
Turn salmon carefully and cook the other side briefly.

--------------------------------
Step 5 – Remove salmon
Transfer salmon to a plate.

--------------------------------
Step 6 – Melt butter
Add butter to the same skillet.

--------------------------------
Step 7 – Cook garlic
Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant.

--------------------------------
Step 8 – Add lemon
Stir in lemon juice and lemon zest.

--------------------------------
Step 9 – Return salmon
Place salmon back in the pan and spoon sauce over.

--------------------------------
Step 10 – Serve
Serve hot with fresh parsley on top.

--------------------------------
Pro Tips
Use medium-high heat for crispy salmon skin.
Do not overcook salmon to keep it tender.
Fresh lemon juice provides the best flavor.

--------------------------------
Why This Performs
Golden crispy salmon surface
Glossy lemon butter sauce
Bright fresh color contrast
Elegant skillet cooking visual