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Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Skillet

Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Skillet
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Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Skillet is a rich and comforting one-pan meal featuring tender salmon fillets cooked in a luscious garlic butter cream sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it combines fresh herbs, lemon, and a velvety sauce to deliver restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort and cleanup—perfect for busy weeknights or elegant weekend dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 4 fresh salmon fillets (skin-on or skinless, about 6 oz each)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prep Your Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels to ensure a nice sear. Season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to achieve a balanced flavor.
  2. Sear the Salmon: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon butter. Once melted and hot, place the salmon skin-side down (if skin-on) and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until crispy and golden. Flip and cook the other side for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the salmon from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Prepare the Garlic Butter Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the skillet. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant but not browned, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Pour in the heavy cream and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
  4. Finish the Sauce and Add Herbs: Let the cream simmer gently until it thickens slightly, usually 2 to 3 minutes. Add fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley, stirring to combine the flavors well.
  5. Return Salmon to Skillet: Nestle the seared salmon back into the creamy sauce and spoon sauce over the top to coat each fillet. Heat through for another 1 to 2 minutes, then it’s ready to serve.

Notes

  • Use room temperature salmon to cook the fillets evenly and prevent sticking.
  • Do not overcook the salmon; remove when it flakes easily to keep it moist and tender.
  • Always use fresh minced garlic rather than garlic powder for the best flavor.
  • Choose high-quality unsalted European-style butter for a superior creamy texture and taste.
  • Deglaze the skillet well by scraping browned bits to add depth to the sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: salmon, garlic butter, creamy sauce, one-pan meal, quick dinner, healthy, easy recipe, weeknight meal, seafood

Find it online: https://mealsbymary.com/creamy-garlic-butter-salmon-skillet/