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Marry Me Salmon Garlic Butter Perfection

Marry Me Salmon Garlic Butter Perfection
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Marry Me Salmon Garlic Butter Perfection is a simple yet elegant dish featuring tender, flaky salmon fillets cooked to perfection and topped with a rich, aromatic garlic butter sauce infused with fresh herbs and lemon. Ready in under 30 minutes, it offers a restaurant-quality meal that is both indulgent and quick to prepare, perfect for special occasions or weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Salmon

  • 4 fresh salmon fillets (skin-on or skinless, about 6 oz each)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon oil (vegetable or olive oil)

Garlic Butter Sauce

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 fresh garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, or dill), chopped
  • Crushed red pepper flakes (optional, to taste)

Instructions

  1. Prep the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture—this helps achieve a beautiful sear. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper to enhance the natural flavors.
  2. Sear the Salmon: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add a splash of oil. Place the salmon skin-side down first (if using skin-on) and cook until the edges turn golden and crispy, about 4-5 minutes. Flip carefully and sear the other side for another 2-3 minutes until just cooked through.
  3. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low, then add butter and minced garlic to the same pan. Stir frequently, allowing the garlic to infuse the melting butter without burning. Add fresh lemon juice and chopped fresh herbs, stirring everything into a glossy, fragrant sauce. Add crushed red pepper flakes if desired for a subtle kick.
  4. Combine and Finish Cooking: Return the salmon to the pan and spoon the garlic butter sauce generously over each fillet. Let the salmon soak up the sauce for a minute or two to maximize flavor before removing from heat.
  5. Plate and Serve: Transfer the salmon fillets to warm plates and drizzle with extra garlic butter sauce from the pan. Garnish with fresh parsley and a lemon wedge to brighten the presentation and enhance flavor.

Notes

  • Let salmon come to room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking to ensure even heat distribution.
  • Do not overcrowd the pan; cook the fillets in batches if necessary to achieve a perfect sear without steaming.
  • Keep the heat moderate when sautéing garlic to avoid burning, which can make the sauce bitter.
  • Use fresh herbs rather than dried for a noticeable difference in freshness and aroma.
  • Finish with freshly grated lemon zest over the plated salmon to intensify the citrus flavor without adding extra acidity.

Nutrition

Keywords: salmon, garlic butter sauce, quick dinner, easy seafood recipe, fresh herbs, lemon, sauteed salmon, healthy dinner, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://sophiespace.com/marry-me-salmon-garlic-butter-perfection/