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–+ servings
Three perfectly cooked Lemon Butter Pan Seared Salmon fillets resting in a pool of bright yellow lemon butter sauce, topped with parsley.

Lemon Butter Pan Seared Salmon

This recipe creates a bright and zesty pan-seared salmon dish using a simple lemon butter sauce. It is suitable for quick weeknight meals.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 307
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/4 lb skinless boneless salmon fillets, cut into 4 filets (5 oz each about 1″ thick)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
For the Sauce
  • 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp grated lemon zest
  • 4 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice from 2 lemons
  • 1 Tbsp fresh parsley minced

Equipment

  • Large (10-12 inch) light-colored pan

Method
 

  1. Season salmon on both sides with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper.
  2. Heat a large (10-12 inch) light-colored pan over medium heat. Add 4 tablespoons butter, swirling and stirring frequently until it starts to turn light brown and the butter solids turn brown, about 3 to 7 minutes.
  3. Add the seasoned salmon and cook uncovered on the first side for 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown. Flip the salmon and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes or until flaky and fully cooked through with an internal temperature of 145°F.
  4. In the last 2 minutes of cooking, add 1 teaspoon lemon zest and 4 tablespoons lemon juice to the pan. Spoon the sauce over the salmon as it cooks.
  5. Transfer salmon to plates, drizzle with sauce, and sprinkle the pan-cooked salmon with freshly chopped parsley and black pepper to taste. Serve right away.

Nutrition

Calories: 307kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 28gFat: 20g

Notes

This dish pairs well with foraged greens or simple steamed vegetables.

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