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Sizzling Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon in a grey cast iron skillet, featuring moist pink flakes and fresh parsley.

Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon: The Ultimate Crispy Pan-Seared Fillet

This Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon features a deeply caramelized golden-brown crust and a glossy lemon butter sauce. A restaurant-quality 20-minute dinner with crispy skin and moist, flaky pink center-cut fillets. Perfect for keto and low-carb diets.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Seafood
Calories: 415
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Recipe Ingredients
  • 1.5 lbs Salmon Fillets Center-cut, skin-on (680g)
  • 2 tbsp Neutral Oil Avocado or Grapeseed (30ml)
  • 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt (3g)
  • 1/2 tsp Cracked Black Pepper (3g)
  • 3 tbsp Unsalted Butter (42g)
  • 4 cloves Garlic Minced
  • 1 large Lemon Half sliced, half juiced
  • 1 tbsp Fresh Parsley Finely minced (4g)

Equipment

  • 1 Cast Iron Skillet Dark grey preferred for heat retention
  • 1 Fish Turner or Spatula

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Pat the salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels to ensure a crispy sear.
  2. Generously season both sides with salt and cracked black pepper.
Cooking
  1. Heat oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Place salmon skin-side down and sear for 4-5 minutes until golden and crispy.
  2. Flip the salmon. Add butter, garlic, and lemon wheels to the pan. Spoon the melting garlic butter over the fish repeatedly.
  3. Add lemon juice to the pan. Cook for 2-3 more minutes until the fish reaches an internal temp of 125°F. Garnish with parsley.

Notes

Always use a high-smoke point oil to prevent bitter flavors.
Basitng with cold butter at the end creates a silkier emulsion.