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Cozy Garlic Butter Salmon Bites Ready in 20 Minutes

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Tender, buttery, garlicky salmon bites that come together in just 20 minutes. Perfect for cozy evenings, this recipe delivers crispy golden edges and a rich garlic butter sauce that will have everyone going back for seconds.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds salmon fillet, skin removed and cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Cooked rice, quinoa, or crusty bread for serving (optional)
  • Lemon wedges for serving (optional)
  • Flaky sea salt for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep the salmon (5 minutes): Pat the salmon fillet dry with paper towels. Cut into 1-inch cubes. Season all over with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika if using. Toss gently to coat.
  2. Heat the pan (2 minutes): Place a large cast iron skillet or heavy-bottomed non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of butter. Let it melt and start to foam, but not brown.
  3. Sear the salmon bites (4-5 minutes): Carefully place the salmon cubes in the skillet in a single layer. Do not crowd the pan. Cook undisturbed for 2 minutes. Flip each piece and cook for another 2-3 minutes until golden brown and just cooked through.
  4. Add the garlic (1 minute): Push the salmon to one side of the pan. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the empty space. Once melted, add the minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Toss the salmon bites in the garlic butter to coat.
  5. Finish with lemon and parsley (1 minute): Remove the pan from the heat. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the salmon and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Gently toss. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  6. Serve immediately: Transfer to a serving platter or plates with rice, quinoa, or crusty bread. Spoon remaining garlic butter over the top. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and add extra lemon wedges on the side.

Notes

Pat the salmon extremely dry for the best crust. Do not crowd the pan; work in batches if needed. Let the salmon cook undisturbed for 2 minutes before flipping. Add garlic only at the end to prevent burning. Salmon continues cooking after removal from heat; pull it off when just barely cooked through. For dairy-free, substitute butter with vegan butter or olive oil mixed with coconut oil. For Whole30, use ghee instead of butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter salmon bites, quick salmon recipe, easy salmon dinner, 20 minute meal, comfort food salmon, salmon bites, garlic butter sauce

Find it online: https://prismtaste.com/cozy-garlic-butter-salmon-bites-ready-in-20-minutes/