Description
Succulent pan-fried salmon with lemon and garlic delivers Mediterranean coastal flavors straight to dinner tables. Mediterranean ingredients blend seamlessly, creating quick weeknight magic that satisfies dinner cravings completely.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz / 170 g each, skin-on or skinless)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps butter (or extra olive oil for dairy-free)
- 1 lemon, juice and zest
- 1 tsp fresh thyme or parsley, chopped (or ½ tsp dried)
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Meticulously pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels, ensuring a pristine surface for optimal caramelization and flavor absorption.
- Seasoning: Liberally coat both sides of the fish with salt, black pepper, and lemon zest, creating a harmonious flavor foundation.
- Pan Heating: Ignite olive oil in a capacious skillet over medium-high heat, cultivating the perfect cooking environment.
- Initial Cooking: Gently nestle salmon fillets skin-side down, applying slight pressure to guarantee a crisp, golden-brown exterior through direct heat contact.
- Searing Process: Allow salmon to cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes, witnessing the skin transform into a delectable, crackling crust.
- Flipping and Completion: Deftly flip fillets, continuing cooking for 2-3 minutes until achieving a tender, flaky texture that signals perfect doneness.
- Sauce Creation: Reduce skillet temperature, introduce butter, and swiftly incorporate minced garlic, thyme, and red pepper flakes, generating a nuanced, aromatic sauce.
- Final Touches: Drizzle fresh lemon juice into the pan, reunite salmon with the infused sauce, and garnish with chopped parsley and lemon slices.
- Serving: Present immediately alongside roasted vegetables, rice, or a verdant salad, celebrating the dish’s vibrant flavors and elegant preparation.
Notes
- Blot Salmon Dry: Remove excess moisture completely with paper towels to achieve a crispy, golden-brown exterior that caramelizes beautifully.
- Monitor Cooking Temperature: Maintain medium-high heat to create a perfect sear without burning the delicate salmon skin, ensuring a crisp texture and rich flavor.
- Sauce Timing is Crucial: Add garlic to butter quickly and remove from heat promptly to prevent burning, preserving the sauce’s delicate aromatic profile.
- Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap butter with olive oil for dairy-free version, or use ghee for a lactose-sensitive alternative while maintaining rich flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg