If you want a fancy dish, a mid week date night or dinner with the family, salmon is always the answer.
Look no further. This salmon with lemon butter sauce is the kind that you keep in your back pocket. Make it and you will never have to wonder to answer that question “What’s for dinner”, ever again.
Simply seasoned, the salmon is pan seared until crispy while the inside is buttery soft. We’re prepping these salmon filets first by doing a little rub with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Let them marinate for about 10 minutes and pan sear them on the skillet. It doesn’t get any easier than that.
We love using wild salmon with no skin for this recipe. Because the salmon is fantastic on its old, a squeeze of lemon juice and sprinkles some parsley is already enough.
Incredibly impressive for date-night dinner but still sophisticated and simple.
This salmon with lemon butter sauce is definitely earning a spot in your weeknight meal rotation for sure.

Salmon with Lemon Butter
A simple but sophisticated lemon in a lemon butter sauce. Incredibly easy and date-night approved.
Ingredients
- 1.2 lb skinless, boneless salmon filet (about 1" thick, cut into 4)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 tablespoon lemon zest
- 4 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoon chopped parsley
- lemon slices for garnish
Instructions
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Prepping salmon: Sprinkle salmon filets on both sides with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Set aside to marinate for 10 minutes.
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Heat up a large skillet over medium heat and immediately add in the 4 tablespoons of butter. It will take about 3-4 minutes for the butter to melt and turn brown.
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Add in the salmon filets and cook uncover for 3-4 minutes on each side. Add in lemon zest and lemon juice in the last 2 minutes of cooking time.
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Transfer salmon to serving plate. Spoon some of the lemon butter sauce over and garnish with parsley. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Cooking time might varies depending on the thickness of your salmon filets. We love using wild salmon in this recipe.
Brilliant!! Would highly suggest making it. It gives lemon butter sauce a completely new twist. Family loved it! I added capers to my sauce and it was amazing!!! Would definitely make it again.
Thank you Nielsen! So wonderful to hear that your family loved it!!