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Creamy Pan Seared Salmon with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce

Creamy Pan Seared Salmon with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce

Creamy Pan Seared Salmon with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce is a delicious and elegant dish featuring perfectly seared salmon fillets with crispy skin, topped with a luscious and silky cream sauce infused with fresh lemon juice, zest, and garlic. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe balances rich, velvety textures with bright citrus flavors, making it perfect for quick weeknight dinners or special occasions.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Salmon and Seasoning

  • 4 fresh salmon fillets, skin-on (about 6 oz each)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Cooking Fat & Sauce Base

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter

Aromatics and Flavorings

  • 3 garlic cloves, freshly minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Cream Sauce

  • ½ cup heavy cream

Garnish

  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry thoroughly with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor and help achieve a crispy skin.
  2. Pan Seared Salmon: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place the salmon fillets skin-side down in the skillet, searing without moving for 4-5 minutes, until the skin becomes crisp and golden brown. Flip the fillets and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the salmon is cooked through but still tender.
  3. Make the Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce: Remove the salmon from the skillet and set aside. Reduce the heat to medium. Add butter and minced garlic to the same skillet, sautéing until fragrant and aromatic. Stir in fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and heavy cream. Simmer gently while stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens slightly and develops a silky texture.
  4. Combine and Serve: Return the salmon fillets to the skillet, coating them lightly with the lemon garlic cream sauce. Allow the flavors to meld by cooking together for about one minute. Finish with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley for color and freshness, then serve immediately.

Notes

  • Patting the salmon dry before cooking ensures crisp, golden skin.
  • Do not overcrowd the pan; cook fillets in batches if needed to maintain even heat and avoid steaming.
  • Use fresh minced garlic for a stronger and more vibrant garlic flavor.
  • Simmer the cream sauce gently to control thickness and avoid curdling.
  • Adjust lemon juice gradually to balance acidity with creaminess to your taste.
  • For a dairy-free option, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and butter with olive oil.
  • Leftover salmon and sauce should be refrigerated in airtight containers and consumed within 2 days.
  • Freeze salmon and sauce separately for best quality upon thawing.
  • Reheat gently over low heat, stirring sauce and adding a splash of cream or water if necessary.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Pan Seared
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 salmon fillet with sauce
  • Calories: 420 kcal
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 320 mg
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 13 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 3 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 35 g
  • Cholesterol: 110 mg

Keywords: salmon, lemon garlic cream sauce, pan seared salmon, creamy salmon recipe, healthy dinner, quick salmon recipe, omega-3 rich seafood