Bring steakhouse flavor home with this Texas Roadhouse-style salmon—crispy-edged, juicy in the middle, and finished with a bright lemon-pepper vibe plus a buttery garlic pan sauce. It’s the kind of quick dinner that feels fancy, but you’ll only need a handful of ingredients and about 15 minutes. The cast iron skillet does the heavy lifting: it crisps the skin, locks in moisture, and makes the garlic butter sauce extra flavorful. Serve this easy salmon recipe with rice, potatoes, or a simple salad for a weeknight meal that tastes restaurant-worthy.
table of contents
Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Servings: 4
Ingredients List
- 4 salmon fillets (4 oz each)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Zest of 1 lemon + lemon wedges for serving
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
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.
- Cast iron skillet (or heavy skillet)
- Fish spatula (or thin spatula)
- Instant-read thermometer
- Small bowl
- Paper towels
- Microplane or zester (optional)
Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Prep the salmon: Rinse quickly (optional) and pat very dry with paper towels. Dry salmon = better sear.
- Mix seasoning: In a small bowl, stir salt, pepper, garlic powder, and lemon zest.
- Season: Rub seasoning onto the flesh side of each salmon fillet. 😊
- Heat the pan: Place skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and let it get hot (shimmery).
- Sear skin-side down: Place salmon skin-side down. Cook 3–4 minutes without moving it (crispy skin!).
- Flip: Use a fish spatula to flip. Cook 2–3 minutes (thinner fillets may only need 2).
- Make garlic butter: Add butter + minced garlic to the pan. As it melts, spoon the garlic butter over the salmon for 1–2 minutes. Squeeze in juice from ½ lemon. 🧈🍋
- Check temp: Use a thermometer—pull at 125°F (52°C) for medium-rare/juicy, or 130–135°F (54–57°C) for more done.
- Serve: Plate and drizzle with pan garlic butter. Add lemon wedges.
Pro Tips
- Don’t move the salmon while it sears—this creates the best crust.
- Thermometer = perfect salmon: It cooks fast, so checking temp avoids dryness.
- No cast iron? Any heavy skillet works—just preheat well.
- Serving ideas: Pair with mashed potatoes, roasted broccoli, rice, or a simple Caesar salad.
Nutrition Table
| Serving Size | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 filet | 146 | 1g | 4g | 15g | 1g | 1g |
Disclaimer: Nutrition facts are estimated using online tools and may vary based on your ingredients and preparation. Please consult a nutritionist for precise dietary advice.
Texas Roadhouse-Style Salmon
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat salmon very dry with paper towels.
- Mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, and lemon zest. Rub onto flesh side of salmon.
- Heat skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil.
- Cook salmon skin-side down for 3–4 minutes without moving.
- Flip and cook 2–3 minutes.
- Add butter and minced garlic. Spoon melted garlic butter over salmon for 1–2 minutes. Squeeze in juice from 1/2 lemon.
- Check doneness with thermometer: pull at 125°F for juicy salmon (or 130–135°F for more done).
- Serve with pan garlic butter and lemon wedges.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Conclusion
This Texas Roadhouse-style salmon is fast, buttery, and packed with lemon-garlic flavor—perfect for a weeknight dinner that feels like a restaurant meal.