Description
Creamy Pan Seared Salmon with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce is a quick and easy dish featuring perfectly crisped salmon fillets topped with a luscious, zesty cream sauce made from fresh garlic, lemon juice, and Parmesan. Ready in under 30 minutes, this elegant yet simple recipe balances rich and bright flavors, making it perfect for busy weeknights or impressing guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon
- 4 fresh skin-on salmon fillets (about 6 oz each)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
For Searing
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry thoroughly with a paper towel and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. This key step helps achieve a golden, crispy skin and ensures the seasoning penetrates the fish.
- Sear the Salmon: Heat olive oil and butter together in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place the salmon fillets skin-side down and cook without moving for 4-5 minutes to crisp the skin. Flip the fillets and cook for another 2-3 minutes until just cooked through but still moist inside.
- Make the Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce: Lower the heat to medium. In the same pan, add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant but not browned, about 30 seconds. Pour in the heavy cream, then add fresh lemon juice and lemon zest. Stir in the grated Parmesan and let the sauce simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until it slightly thickens.
- Combine and Serve: Return the salmon fillets briefly to the pan to coat them in the cream sauce. Spoon the thick, creamy lemon garlic sauce over the salmon, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately to enjoy optimal flavor and texture.
Notes
- Dry the salmon well before cooking to ensure crispy skin.
- Use medium-high heat for a perfect sear without overcooking.
- Remove salmon from heat as soon as it flakes easily but remains moist inside.
- Fresh lemon juice and garlic enhance the brightness and aroma of the sauce.
- Allow salmon to rest for a minute after cooking to retain juices and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salmon fillet with sauce
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: salmon, pan seared salmon, creamy salmon, lemon garlic sauce, easy salmon recipe, quick dinner, healthy seafood