I grew up thinking salmon was something fancy—like, you only ordered it at a restaurant when you were trying to impress someone.
Then I figured out how easy (and fast!) it is to make at home, and let me tell you, I felt like I had hacked the dinner system. This lemon garlic salmon?
It’s the one I go back to every single time. Crispy on the outside, flaky in the middle, loaded with flavor, and done in FIFTEEN minutes.
Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a lazy weekend, this dish makes you feel like a total pro in the kitchen—without even trying.
Tips for Perfect Salmon
- Crispy Skin Secret: Start with a dry fillet and don’t move it around while searing.
- Don’t Overcook: Salmon is best at 125-130°F for a perfect medium.
- Use Fresh Lemon: Bottled lemon juice is not the same—fresh makes a world of difference.
Variations & Substitutions
- Dairy-Free? Swap butter for extra olive oil or dairy-free butter.
- Spice It Up: Add red pepper flakes for a kick.
- No Fresh Herbs? Dried parsley or basil works too.
Serving Suggestions
Pair with roasted asparagus, a simple arugula salad, or buttery mashed potatoes. If you want to keep it light, serve it over cauliflower rice or a quinoa salad.
15-Minute Lemon Garlic Salmon
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Pan-seared
- Cuisine: American
Description
A quick, flavorful salmon dish with crispy skin, garlic butter, and fresh lemon. Perfect for a fast and healthy dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each, skin-on)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter (unsalted)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon slices, for garnish
Instructions
- Prep the salmon: Pat the fillets dry with a paper towel (this helps with crispiness). Season both sides with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
- Heat the pan: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Sear the salmon: Place the fillets skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes, until the skin is crispy.
- Add flavor: Flip the salmon, reduce heat to medium, and add butter, garlic, and lemon juice to the pan. Baste the salmon by spooning the buttery garlic sauce over the top as it cooks for another 3-4 minutes.
- Finish with freshness: Turn off the heat, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and add lemon zest.
- Serve it up: Transfer to plates, spoon extra garlic butter over the top, and add lemon slices for that restaurant-worthy finish.
Notes
Works with any fresh salmon. Wild-caught has the best flavor!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet
- Calories: ~380
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
