When you want a dinner that looks and tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, this One Skillet Salmon with Lemon is your answer. Crispy-skinned salmon bathed in golden garlic butter sauce is pure weeknight magic.
This recipe is perfect for date nights at home, impressing guests, or just treating yourself to something special on a Tuesday. The best part? It takes just 15 minutes from start to finish, and you only need one pan.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Restaurant Quality: The crispy skin and buttery sauce taste gourmet, but it’s foolproof. Even if you’ve never cooked salmon before, you’ll nail this recipe.
Super Fast: Salmon cooks incredibly fast. You’ll be eating in 15 minutes—seriously! This is faster than most takeout.
Minimal Ingredients: You only need a handful of pantry staples to make the sauce shine. No specialty ingredients or complicated techniques required.
Healthy Elegance: Salmon is packed with omega-3s and protein. This dish is as nutritious as it is delicious.
Ingredients
Salmon Fillets: Skin-on is best for texture and flavor. The skin gets beautifully crispy and protects the delicate flesh while cooking.
Butter: Creates the rich base for the sauce. Use real butter—not margarine—for the best flavor.
Fresh Lemon: Juice and slices for brightness. Fresh lemon is key here; bottled juice won’t give you the same vibrant flavor.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic is non-negotiable. It infuses the butter with aromatic, savory goodness.
Asparagus: (Optional) Can be cooked right in the same pan for a complete meal. Green beans work beautifully too!
Olive Oil: For searing the salmon. It has a higher smoke point than butter.
Salt & Pepper: Simple seasoning lets the salmon and sauce shine.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep Salmon: Pat salmon dry with paper towels (essential for crispy skin!). Season generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
2. Sear: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place salmon skin-side down. Press firmly with a spatula for the first 30 seconds. Cook 4-5 minutes until skin is golden and crispy.
3. Flip: Flip carefully using a fish spatula and cook 1-2 minutes on the other side until just cooked through. Remove salmon to a plate.
4. Make Sauce: In the same pan, reduce heat to medium and melt butter. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Squeeze in fresh lemon juice and swirl to combine.
5. Serve: Pour the warm garlic butter sauce over the crispy salmon. Garnish with fresh lemon slices and serve immediately.
Tips for Success
Dry the Fish: Moisture is the enemy of crispiness. Use paper towels to get the fish very dry before seasoning and cooking.
Hot Pan: The oil should be shimmering before the fish touches it. This is crucial for getting that restaurant-quality sear.
Don’t Move It: Once you place the fish in the pan, don’t touch it until it releases naturally. If it’s sticking, it’s not ready to flip yet.
Room Temperature: Let salmon sit out for 10 minutes before cooking. This ensures even cooking from edge to center.
One Skillet Salmon with Lemon Variations
Herby: Add fresh dill or parsley to the butter sauce at the end. Both herbs are classic pairings with salmon and lemon.
Spicy Honey: Add a teaspoon of honey and red pepper flakes to the butter for a sweet heat glaze. This creates an amazing flavor contrast.
Capers: Add a tablespoon of capers to the sauce for a “Piccata” style twist. The briny pop is absolutely delicious with salmon.
White Wine: Deglaze the pan with a splash of white wine before adding the butter. This adds sophisticated restaurant flavor.
Asian Inspired: Replace the butter with sesame oil and add ginger, soy sauce, and a drizzle of honey.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with roasted potatoes or rice pilaf on the side. The starchy sides soak up all that incredible garlic butter sauce.
Pair with a fresh arugula salad dressed simply with olive oil and lemon. The peppery greens balance the rich salmon perfectly.
Cook asparagus or green beans in the same skillet before the salmon for a full meal. Just push them to the side when you add the fish.
Add a side of crusty bread for dunking in the leftover sauce. You won’t want to waste a single drop!
FAQs
How do I know when salmon is done?
It should flake easily with a fork and be opaque pink throughout. The internal temperature should reach 145°F, though many prefer it at 125-130°F for medium-rare.
Can I eat the skin?
Yes! When cooked crispy, it is delicious and full of healthy fats. It should peel right off if you prefer not to eat it.
Can I use frozen salmon?
Yes, thaw it completely and dry it extremely well before cooking. Pat it multiple times with paper towels to remove all moisture.
Final Thoughts
This One Skillet Salmon with Lemon is the perfect healthy dinner for busy nights. It feels fancy but requires zero stress—just the way dinner should be!
With crispy skin, tender flaky fish, and that irresistible garlic butter sauce, this dish proves that elegant cooking doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s a recipe you’ll return to again and again.
Pin this recipe to your quick dinner or seafood board! Share it with anyone who thinks they can’t cook fish at home. Let’s make weeknight salmon happen, one perfectly crispy fillet at a time.
15-Minute One Skillet Salmon with Lemon Garlic Butter
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat salmon fillets completely dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Place salmon skin-side down in the skillet. Press gently for 30 seconds and cook undisturbed for 4–5 minutes until skin is crispy.
- Flip salmon and cook 1–2 minutes until just cooked through. Remove to a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium. Melt butter in the same skillet and add garlic. Cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add lemon juice to the skillet and swirl to combine. Cook for 30 seconds.
- Pour garlic butter sauce over salmon. Garnish with lemon slices and herbs, and serve immediately.