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Crispy Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter Sauce

crispy pan-seared salmon - featured image
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A quick and easy recipe for salmon with crispy skin and a rich, tangy lemon butter sauce, perfect for busy weeknights or special dinners.

Ingredients

  • Salmon fillets, skin-on, about 6 ounces (170g) each
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Olive oil, 1-2 tablespoons
  • Unsalted butter, 3 tablespoons, cut into pieces
  • Fresh lemon juice, about 2 tablespoons (roughly one medium lemon)
  • Lemon zest from one lemon
  • Garlic, 1 clove, minced (optional)
  • Fresh parsley, finely chopped, 1 tablespoon
  • White wine or chicken broth, 2 tablespoons (or water as substitute)

Instructions

  1. Pat the salmon dry using paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat the skillet over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking, about 2-3 minutes. Add olive oil and swirl to coat the pan.
  3. Place salmon fillets skin-side down gently in the pan. Press down lightly with a spatula or fish turner for about 10 seconds to prevent curling.
  4. Cook without moving for 5-7 minutes until the skin is deep golden brown and crisp. Adjust heat if browning too fast.
  5. Flip the salmon carefully and cook the flesh side for another 2-3 minutes until just cooked through but still moist inside.
  6. Remove salmon from the pan and set aside on a warm plate, tented loosely with foil.
  7. Lower heat to medium. In the same pan, add butter pieces and let melt slowly. Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  8. Pour in white wine or chicken broth and lemon juice, stirring to deglaze the pan. Let simmer gently for 1-2 minutes until slightly reduced.
  9. Stir in lemon zest and chopped parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  10. Pour the sauce over the salmon or spoon it on just before serving.

Notes

Ensure salmon skin is very dry before cooking to achieve crispiness. Use medium-high heat and do not move the salmon while cooking skin-side down. The lemon butter sauce should be made in the same pan to capture browned bits for flavor. For dairy-free version, substitute butter with olive or coconut oil and omit the sauce or use a lemon herb vinaigrette.

Nutrition

Keywords: salmon, pan-seared salmon, crispy salmon skin, lemon butter sauce, quick dinner, easy salmon recipe, healthy seafood

Find it online: https://bitefuljoy.com/crispy-pan-seared-salmon-recipe-easy-lemon-butter-sauce-perfect-dinner/