OMG, I have to tell you about the Garlic Butter Lemon Salmon I made last night. That first bite—the buttery, garlicky goodness combined with that bright lemon punch—totally blew my mind. The pan-seared salmon had this gorgeous golden crust that was super crispy without drying out the tender, flaky fish inside. The garlic butter sauce? Melt-in-your-mouth richness with a citrus herb zing that felt like a little flavor party in every single bite. Honestly, this Garlic Butter Lemon Salmon was unforgettable because the combo of savory butter and fresh lemon did something magical to the salmon.

I got totally hooked on this recipe after spotting a drool-worthy pan-seared salmon with lemon garlic sauce on one of my favorite food blogs. It had all the elements I love—garlicky butter swimming with a hit of citrus and perfectly cooked salmon that’s simple on the stovetop. No fuss, big payoff! So, I grabbed high-quality salmon fillets, fresh lemons, and extra butter, and recreated my own Garlic Butter Lemon Salmon at home. Let me tell you, hearing that sizzle in the pan and smelling the garlic butter sauce melt over the fish? Pure comfort and anticipation.

If you’ve ever been a fan of butter poached salmon or citrus herb salmon, you’re about to meet your new obsession. This Garlic Butter Lemon Salmon is the kind of dish you’ll want to make on repeat, whether you’re craving a quick weekday dinner or something special to impress. You’ve got to try this with me! Let’s dive into what you need and how to whip up this garlic butter sauce goodness that’ll make your kitchen smell like a five-star restaurant. Seriously, you’re gonna love it.

What You Need

Ready to nail this Garlic Butter Lemon Salmon? Here’s your shopping list full of fresh, simple ingredients that make this dish absolutely crave-worthy!

4 salmon fillets (6 oz each, skin on for crispiness)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (splurge on European butter for that rich garlic butter sauce)
4 cloves garlic, minced (grab fresh, not jarred—it makes all the difference)
1 large lemon (for fresh juice and zest—grab this from the produce aisle)
1 tablespoon olive oil (helps the salmon get that perfect pan-seared finish)
Salt and pepper, to taste (basically your flavor foundation)
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for that pop of green freshness)
Pinch of red pepper flakes (for a subtle spicy kick, but this garlic butter lemon salmon shines without it too)

Pro tip: If you want an easier time prepping, get pre-minced garlic from the refrigerated section—just make sure it’s real fresh garlic paste, not that old stuff in the jar. Also, fresh lemons with thin skin have more juice and zest for the sauce, so grab those if you can.

For a buttery, citrus herb salmon upgrade, sometimes I swap part of the butter for a splash of white wine—adds an extra layer of flavor to the lemon garlic sauce. This Garlic Butter Lemon Salmon will get even better with those little upgrades.

Keep your salmon fillets refrigerated and use them within two days for the best flavor and texture. If you’re planning to meal prep this Garlic Butter Lemon Salmon, keep the sauce separate until serving to keep everything fresh.

How to Make It

Here’s the step-by-step that brings this Garlic Butter Lemon Salmon magic to life—trust me, your kitchen will smell incredible while cooking this one!

Prep your salmon: Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels. This helps the skin crisp up perfectly when pan-searing. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
Heat your pan: Add olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Place salmon skin-side down carefully—listen for that glorious sizzle. Cook for about 4-5 minutes without moving the fish.
Flip and cook: When the skin is golden and crisp, flip the salmon. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, depending on thickness, just until the salmon is opaque but still moist inside. Your Garlic Butter Lemon Salmon should look golden and gorgeous.
Make the garlic butter sauce: While the salmon finishes cooking, lower the heat and add butter and minced garlic to the pan. Stir frequently so garlic doesn’t burn. The smell of garlic butter sauce filling your kitchen will have everyone asking what you’re cooking!
Add lemon: Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the salmon and stir to combine with the garlic butter sauce. If you like, add a sprinkle of lemon zest for an extra punch. The citrus herb salmon vibe kicks in here big time.
Finish with herbs: Toss in fresh parsley and red pepper flakes if using. Spoon that buttery lemon garlic sauce over your salmon fillets right before serving.
Serve immediately: This Garlic Butter Lemon Salmon is best enjoyed fresh, with that hot garlic butter sauce dripping beautifully over the tender fish.

Pro tip: For a restaurant-quality finish, let the salmon rest in the hot garlic butter sauce for a minute off the heat—the flavors meld perfectly!

If you love sheet pan recipes, you’ve got to check out this Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon sheet pan recipe that yields similar buttery goodness with less active cooking.

Serving This Up

This Garlic Butter Lemon Salmon pairs like a dream with so many sides! Here are my top picks to make your meal drool-worthy.

Simple garlic mashed potatoes or buttery risotto for cozy vibes
Roasted or steamed asparagus, green beans, or a crisp arugula salad for lightness
A refreshing cucumber dill salad drizzled in lemon vinaigrette for extra citrus herb salmon goodness
For a quick carb fix, garlic butter noodles are like a dream combo

I love to plate the salmon right in the pan with extra spoonfuls of garlic butter sauce drizzled on top—looks stunning and tastes even better. Add a lemon wedge on the side to squeeze on extra freshness.

This Garlic Butter Lemon Salmon is perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something fancy but easy. Also a total crowd-pleaser for small dinner parties or date nights. Every time I serve it, people ask for seconds—no joke!

Don’t toss leftovers—flaked Garlic Butter Lemon Salmon is unbelievable in salads, sandwiches, or even stirred into a garlic butter pasta dish for a quick lunch the next day.

If you want to mix it up seasonally, swap out parsley for fresh dill or basil in the garlic butter sauce. Citrus herb salmon vibes stay right there, just with a twist.

If seafood’s your thing, you’ll want to explore this pan seared salmon with garlic lemon butter sauce that also nails the flavor-packed combo.

Your Questions Answered

I get asked tons about making this Garlic Butter Lemon Salmon as juicy and flavorful as mine. Here’s the lowdown to help you nail it:

How do I make Garlic Butter Lemon Salmon extra flavorful?
Use fresh garlic and fresh lemon juice—not bottled. The combo makes that lemon garlic sauce sing. Also, don’t skim on butter; it’s key for that rich garlic butter sauce.

Can I meal prep Garlic Butter Lemon Salmon?
Yes! Cook as usual, then store salmon and garlic butter sauce separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a pan with a little butter or in the microwave to keep moistness.

What’s the best way to reheat it without losing quality?
Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of water or butter over low heat. This helps keep it buttery and tender without drying it out.

Can I use frozen salmon?
Totally—just thaw it completely and pat dry before cooking to get a great pan-seared crust.

Is skin-on salmon better for this Garlic Butter Lemon Salmon?
Yes! Pan-searing skin-on salmon adds that crispy texture while keeping the fish moist. You can easily peel the skin off while eating if you don’t like it.

What sides go best with Garlic Butter Lemon Salmon?
I love garlic mashed potatoes, steamed veggies, or even a fresh citrus slaw to compliment that garlic butter lemon sauce.

Can I swap butter for olive oil?
Butter is what gives this dish its luscious garlic butter sauce, but if you need a swap, olive oil works. Just know you’ll miss some richness.

If you want more easy weeknight dinner ideas with a garlic butter twist, check out my favorites like Garlic Butter Beef Bites with Creamy Mashed Potatoes or this crowd-pleaser, Honey Garlic Ground Turkey.

Final Bites

This Garlic Butter Lemon Salmon totally deserves a spot in your dinner lineup. It’s simple, flavorful, and makes you feel like you’re dining out at a luxe spot without the fuss. Seriously, buttery richness meets fresh lemon zing, and that garlic butter sauce just wraps everything up in the best way.

My Foodie Tips:

Use skin-on salmon for crispiness and juicy flakes underneath.
Don’t rush the pan-searing—wait for that golden crust before flipping.
Fresh garlic and lemon juice are non-negotiable for the best garlic butter lemon sauce.

Want to change things up? Try these tested variations:

Butter poached salmon with garlic butter sauce for an ultra-rich take.
Citrus herb salmon featuring extra fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary in the sauce.
Sheet pan Garlic Butter Lemon Salmon for a low-effort crowd pleaser.

The crispy skin, zesty lemon garlic sauce, and buttery richness get all the love. Customize your garlic butter lemon salmon however you like—you’ll never run out of ways to enjoy it.

I can’t wait for you to make this Garlic Butter Lemon Salmon and fall in love just like I did. Let me know what sides you pair it with or any tweaks you try. Cooking should always be this fun and full of flavor. Now go get your salmon sizzling!

Oh, and if you want to keep your sweet tooth happy too, these Peanut Butter Cookie Bites pair perfectly after a garlic butter lemon salmon dinner.

Happy cooking, fellow foodies!

Garlic Butter Lemon Salmon

Print Recipe

Garlic Butter Lemon Salmon is a quick and flavorful dish featuring tender salmon fillets cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce with a refreshing hint of lemon. Perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner.

Author: Kenna Rae Dalton
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Category: Dinner
Method: Skillet
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

4 salmon fillets (6 oz each)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 lemon, juiced and zested
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper on both sides.
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear salmon, skin-side up, for 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
Flip the salmon and add butter and minced garlic to the skillet. Spoon the garlic butter over the salmon.
Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes until the salmon is cooked through.
Remove from oven, squeeze lemon juice over the salmon, and sprinkle with lemon zest and fresh parsley.
Serve immediately with your favorite side dishes.

Notes

For an extra burst of flavor, add a teaspoon of honey to the garlic butter sauce or serve with steamed asparagus and rice.