Indulge in a delightful meal with this salmon with lemon butter sauce recipe. The combination of tender salmon fillets and a zesty lemon butter sauce creates a dish that's both refreshing and satisfying. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this recipe is sure to impress.
Most of the ingredients in this recipe are commonly found in your kitchen. However, if you don't usually stock salmon, lemon, or fresh parsley, you may need to pick these up at the supermarket. Fresh salmon fillets are typically available at the seafood counter, while lemon and parsley can be found in the produce section.
Ingredients For Salmon With Lemon Butter Sauce
Salmon: A rich, flavorful fish that serves as the main protein in this dish.
Olive oil: Used for cooking the salmon, adding a subtle flavor and helping to achieve a golden brown crust.
Butter: Adds richness to the sauce and enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
Garlic: Provides a fragrant and savory note to the sauce.
Lemon: Both the juice and zest are used to add a bright, tangy flavor to the sauce.
Parsley: Freshly chopped parsley is used as a garnish, adding a pop of color and a hint of freshness.
Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the ingredients.
Pepper: Adds a touch of heat and depth to the seasoning.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When cooking salmon, ensure the skillet is properly preheated before adding the fillets. This helps achieve a beautiful golden-brown crust. Additionally, when adding lemon juice to the butter sauce, remove the skillet from the heat momentarily to prevent the butter from separating. This will result in a smoother, more cohesive sauce.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
salmon - Substitute with trout: Trout has a similar texture and flavor profile to salmon, making it a great alternative.
olive oil - Substitute with grapeseed oil: Grapeseed oil has a neutral flavor and a high smoke point, suitable for cooking fish.
butter - Substitute with ghee: Ghee has a rich, buttery flavor and a higher smoke point, making it a good substitute for butter in sauces.
garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a mild, sweet flavor that complements the dish well.
lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice offers a similar acidity and citrus flavor, adding brightness to the sauce.
lemon zest - Substitute with orange zest: Orange zest provides a slightly sweeter citrus note, which can add a unique twist to the sauce.
parsley - Substitute with cilantro: Cilantro offers a fresh, herbaceous flavor that pairs well with fish.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a savory umami flavor and can enhance the overall taste of the dish.
pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a milder flavor and a slightly different heat profile, which can subtly change the dish's seasoning.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How To Store / Freeze This Dish
- Allow the salmon to cool to room temperature before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the fish soggy.
- Place the salmon fillets in an airtight container. If you have multiple fillets, separate them with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
- Pour any remaining lemon butter sauce over the fillets before sealing the container. This helps keep the fish moist and flavorful.
- Store the container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best results, consume within this time frame to enjoy the freshest taste.
- To freeze, wrap each salmon fillet tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Make sure to remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
- Label the container with the date to keep track of its freshness. Frozen salmon can be stored for up to 2 months.
- When ready to eat, thaw the salmon in the refrigerator overnight. Avoid thawing at room temperature to prevent bacterial growth.
- Reheat the salmon gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a bit of extra butter or olive oil if needed to keep it moist. Alternatively, you can reheat in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10-15 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice before serving to refresh the flavors.
How To Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 275°F. Place the leftover salmon in an oven-safe dish and cover it with foil to retain moisture. Heat for about 15 minutes or until warmed through. This method ensures the salmon stays moist and doesn't dry out.
For a quicker option, use the stovetop. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Add a small amount of olive oil or butter to the pan. Place the salmon fillets in the skillet and cover with a lid. Heat for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the salmon is warmed through.
If you're in a hurry, the microwave can be used, though it's not the ideal method. Place the salmon on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to trap steam. Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, checking each time, until the salmon is heated through. Be cautious as microwaving can sometimes dry out the fish.
To retain the texture and flavor, consider reheating the lemon butter sauce separately. In a small saucepan, gently heat the sauce over low heat until warmed. Pour the sauce over the reheated salmon just before serving.
For an added touch, you can refresh the lemon zest and parsley garnish. Simply zest a fresh lemon and chop some fresh parsley to sprinkle over the reheated salmon for a burst of fresh flavor.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Skillet: A flat-bottomed pan used for cooking the salmon fillets over medium-high heat.
Spatula: A tool used to flip the salmon fillets and to stir the lemon butter sauce.
Tongs: Useful for handling the salmon fillets without breaking them apart.
Knife: For mincing the garlic and chopping the parsley.
Cutting board: A surface to safely chop the garlic and parsley.
Zester: A tool to zest the lemon, extracting the outer peel without the bitter pith.
Juicer: Used to extract the juice from the lemon efficiently.
Measuring spoons: To measure out the olive oil, butter, and other ingredients accurately.
Serving platter: To present the cooked salmon fillets with the lemon butter sauce.
Small bowl: For holding the minced garlic and chopped parsley before adding them to the skillet.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Pre-measure ingredients: Measure and prepare all ingredients before starting to cook. This will save time and ensure a smooth cooking process.
Use a non-stick skillet: A non-stick skillet helps cook the salmon evenly and prevents sticking, making cleanup faster.
Minced garlic in advance: Mince the garlic ahead of time and store it in the fridge. This will save you a step during cooking.
Lemon zest and juice: Zest and juice the lemon before you start cooking. This will make it easier to add them to the sauce quickly.
Chopped parsley: Chop the parsley in advance and store it in an airtight container. This will save time when garnishing the dish.
Salmon With Lemon Butter Sauce
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 fillets Salmon about 6 oz each
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 2 tablespoon Butter
- 1 clove Garlic minced
- 1 Lemon juice and zest
- 1 tablespoon Parsley chopped
- to taste Salt and pepper
Instructions
- 1. Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper.
- 2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the salmon fillets for 4-5 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- 3. In the same skillet, add butter and garlic. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- 4. Add lemon juice and zest to the skillet. Stir to combine.
- 5. Return the salmon to the skillet and spoon the sauce over the fillets. Cook for another 1-2 minutes.
- 6. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for This Dish
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