Print

Budget-Friendly Lemon Butter Salmon Dinner Recipe for Four Easy and Delicious

lemon butter salmon - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick, easy, and budget-friendly lemon butter salmon dinner that serves four, featuring a bright lemon butter sauce and tender, flaky salmon fillets perfect for weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz / 170 g each), skin-on
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (60 g)
  • 1 large lemon, juiced and zested
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Season both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Let rest at room temperature for 10 minutes.
  2. In a small bowl, mix softened butter with minced garlic, lemon zest, and chopped parsley. Set aside.
  3. Heat a nonstick or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Once shimmering, place salmon fillets skin-side down without overcrowding the pan.
  4. Cook skin-side down for 4-5 minutes without moving to get a crisp crust.
  5. Carefully flip the fillets and cook for another 3-4 minutes until salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork (internal temperature around 125°F / 52°C for medium doneness).
  6. Lower heat to medium-low. Spoon the lemon butter mixture over the salmon fillets and cook for another 1-2 minutes, spooning occasionally.
  7. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the fillets, adjust seasoning if needed, and remove from heat.
  8. Serve immediately with your favorite sides, pouring any extra pan sauce over the top.

Notes

Pat salmon dry for a crispy crust. Avoid moving salmon while searing to prevent sticking. Lower heat when adding butter to avoid burning and baste salmon for moistness. Let salmon rest a minute before serving to redistribute juices. Can substitute butter with dairy-free margarine or coconut oil for dairy-free version. Oven-baking option: bake at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes and add lemon butter sauce before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon butter salmon, easy salmon recipe, budget-friendly dinner, quick salmon, weeknight dinner, healthy salmon, buttery lemon sauce

Find it online: https://merrymorsel.com/budget-friendly-lemon-butter-salmon-dinner-recipe-for-four-easy-and-delicious/