Description
Delectable pan-seared salmon with lemon garlic cream sauce delivers restaurant-quality elegance right in home kitchens. Quick preparation and rich flavors make this dish perfect for weeknight dinners you will savor completely.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 salmon fillets (170 g / 6 oz) skin-on or skinless
- 2 tbsps olive oil or unsalted butter
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter version)
- ½ cup (50 g) grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional for extra depth)
- 2 tbsps fresh lemon juice
- 1 lemon zest
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Pat salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels, eliminating all surface moisture to guarantee optimal searing and crisp exterior.
- Seasoning: Generously coat salmon with garlic powder, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring even distribution across both sides for maximum flavor penetration.
- Heating Surface: Preheat large skillet over medium-high heat, introducing olive oil or butter to create a shimmering, non-stick cooking environment that promotes perfect caramelization.
- Searing Technique: Gently place salmon fillets skin-side down into the hot pan, allowing uninterrupted contact for 4-5 minutes to develop a rich, golden-brown crust while creating delectable crispy edges.
- Cooking Completion: Carefully flip fillets using a flexible spatula and continue cooking for an additional 3-4 minutes, monitoring color transformation and ensuring internal temperature reaches 63C / 145F for precise doneness.
- Serving: Skillfully transfer salmon to a waiting plate, ready for immediate consumption or accompanying sauce preparation, preserving the fish’s tender, succulent texture and vibrant flavor profile.
Notes
- Ensure Dry Surface: Pat salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels to achieve perfect golden-brown sear and prevent steaming instead of browning.
- Control Heat Precision: Maintain medium-high heat for optimal salmon caramelization without burning, watching pan temperature carefully throughout cooking process.
- Check Doneness Accurately: Use instant-read thermometer to confirm internal temperature reaches 63C/145F, preventing overcooking and preserving salmon’s tender texture.
- Adapt Dietary Needs: Substitute butter with olive oil for dairy-free version or use plant-based alternatives to accommodate various dietary restrictions while maintaining recipe’s rich flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 515
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg