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Golden crispy skin salmon fillets topped with buttery lemon garlic sauce and fresh parsley in a restaurant-style seafood dinner presentation.

Crispy Skin Salmon with Lemon Butter Sauce

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings: 2
Course: dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Seafood
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 salmon fillets skin on
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
  • Lemon slices optional

Equipment

  • Large skillet or frying pan
  • Fish spatula
  • Garlic Press
  • Cutting Board
  • Paper towels
  • Citrus Juicer

Method
 

Prep
  1. Pat the salmon VERY dry with paper towels (important for crispy skin)
  2. Mince garlic
  3. Chop fresh parsley
  4. Slice lemon for garnish if desired
  5. Season salmon generously with salt and pepper
Instructions
  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat for 2–3 minutes until hot.
  2. Add olive oil and carefully place the salmon skin-side down in the pan.
  3. Lightly press the salmon with a spatula for the first 20–30 seconds so the skin cooks evenly and stays flat.
  4. Let the salmon cook undisturbed for 5–6 minutes until the skin becomes deep golden and crispy.
  5. Flip the salmon carefully and cook another 2 minutes on the flesh side. Remove and set aside briefly.
  6. Lower heat to medium-low and add butter to the same pan.
  7. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  8. Stir in lemon juice and lemon zest, scraping up the flavorful bits from the pan.
  9. Return salmon to the skillet skin-side up and spoon the lemon butter sauce over the top for 1–2 minutes.
  10. Garnish with fresh parsley and optional lemon slices before serving.

Notes

  • Dry salmon skin is the secret to crispiness.
  • Don’t overcrowd the pan or the salmon will steam instead of crisp.
  • Skin-side up during the final sauce step helps keep the skin crispy.
  • Fresh lemon juice works much better than bottled.