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Quick Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe with Zesty Lemon Caper Sauce Made Easy

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A quick and easy salmon recipe featuring crispy skin, garlic butter, and a bright lemon caper sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights yet elegant enough for special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 salmon fillets (about 6 oz / 170 g each, skin-on preferred)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 large garlic cloves, minced finely
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 1 medium lemon)
  • 2 tablespoons capers, drained
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Pat the salmon dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Season both sides with salt and pepper. (5 minutes)
  2. Heat a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Wait until the oil shimmers but does not smoke (2-3 minutes).
  3. Place the salmon skin-side down carefully into the hot pan. Press gently for about 10 seconds to avoid curling. Cook for 4-5 minutes without moving it to develop a golden crust.
  4. Flip the fillets and cook an additional 3-4 minutes depending on thickness until cooked through and flaky. (8-10 minutes)
  5. While the salmon cooks, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic and cook gently for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. (3 minutes)
  6. Stir in fresh lemon juice and capers into the garlic butter mixture. Let it simmer for another minute to marry the flavors. Remove from heat and stir in chopped parsley if using.
  7. Transfer the cooked salmon to plates and spoon the zesty lemon caper sauce generously over the top. (2 minutes)

Notes

Pat salmon dry for crispy skin. Cook garlic gently to avoid bitterness. If salmon is thick, cover pan after flipping to cook through without drying. Reduce salt due to salty capers. For thicker sauce, stir in a teaspoon of cold butter off heat. Leftovers can be reheated gently; re-crisp skin under broiler if desired.

Nutrition

Keywords: salmon, garlic butter, lemon caper sauce, quick dinner, easy recipe, weeknight meal, seafood, healthy, gluten-free

Find it online: https://prismtaste.com/quick-garlic-butter-salmon-recipe-with-zesty-lemon-caper-sauce-made-easy/