A 25-minute skillet salmon that tastes like a restaurant meal

This Garlic Butter Salmon is the kind of simple, impressive dinner you’ll want to make on repeat. Four salmon fillets are seared in a rich pool of melted butter, garlic, and lemon, then gently basted until perfectly tender and flaky. It’s quick enough for weeknights but elegant enough for guests, delivering big flavor with minimal ingredients and effort. With just one skillet and pantry staples, you can have a cozy, restaurant-style seafood dinner on the table in about 25 minutes. Serve it with rice, roasted veggies, potatoes, or a simple salad for a complete meal that’s naturally pork-free and always satisfying.

table of contents

Time Breakdown

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Servings: 4

Ingredients List

For the Salmon

• 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each)
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

For the Garlic Butter Sauce

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp dried parsley

For Serving

• Lemon wedges

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.

• Large skillet (preferably nonstick or cast iron)
• Spatula or fish turner
• Measuring spoons
• Small bowl (optional, for prep)
• Paper towels

Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions

1. Prep the salmon
   Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper. Dry salmon = better sear.
2. Start the garlic butter
   Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 tbsp butter and melt until it just starts to foam.
3. Sauté the garlic
   Add minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant but not browned 🧄
4. Sear the salmon
   Place the salmon fillets in the skillet, skin-side down if they have skin. Cook for 4–5 minutes without moving them so they get a nice sear.
5. Flip & baste
   Gently flip each fillet. Add remaining 2 tbsp butter and the 1 tbsp lemon juice to the pan. As the butter melts, spoon the garlic butter over the salmon for another 4–5 minutes, until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. 🍋
6. Finish with herbs
   Sprinkle dried parsley over the salmon. Taste the sauce and adjust salt or lemon if needed.
7. Serve
   Remove from heat and let rest for 1–2 minutes. Plate the salmon and drizzle with remaining garlic butter from the pan. Serve with lemon wedges and your favorite sides.

Pro Tips

• Always pat salmon dry before seasoning for a better sear.
• Keep garlic on medium heat if it burns, it turns bitter.
• Salmon is done when it flakes easily and is opaque in the center.
• Add extra lemon at the end if you like a brighter, fresher flavor.
• Serve over rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, or roasted veggies to soak up the garlic butter.

Nutrition Table (Estimated)

Per serving (1 salmon fillet with sauce):

Serving Size	Calories	Protein	Carbs	Fat	Fiber	Sugar
1 fillet	350	34g	1g	22g	0g	0g

Disclaimer: Nutrition values are estimated using generic data and may vary based on salmon size, butter amount, and exact ingredients used. For precise values, calculate using your own ingredients.

Conclusion

This Garlic Butter Salmon is everything you want in a weeknight dinner: fast, flavorful, and made in one skillet with simple ingredients. The combination of buttery garlic, bright lemon, and tender salmon feels luxurious without being complicated. Whether you’re cooking for your family or hosting guests, this recipe is a dependable, impressive seafood main that you’ll keep coming back to.