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Perfect Pan-Seared Salmon Recipe with Easy Lemon Caper Butter Sauce

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A quick and easy pan-seared salmon recipe featuring a crispy skin and a bright, buttery lemon caper sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners or elegant dinner parties.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 skin-on salmon fillets, about 6 ounces each
  • Salt and pepper, to season
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • Juice of 1 large lemon
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons capers, drained
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Warm until shimmering but not smoking, about 2 minutes.
  3. Place salmon fillets skin-side down in the pan. Press gently with a spatula for 10 seconds to prevent curling. Cook undisturbed for 5 to 6 minutes until the skin is golden and crisp.
  4. Flip the salmon fillets and cook the flesh side for 2 to 3 minutes for medium doneness, or add another minute for well done. Remove salmon from pan and set aside on a warm plate.
  5. Lower heat to medium and add 2 tablespoons butter to the same pan. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  6. Stir in capers and cook for 1 minute. Remove pan from heat and stir in lemon juice and remaining tablespoon of butter to create a silky sauce.
  7. Spoon the lemon caper butter sauce over the salmon fillets and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serve immediately.

Notes

Pat salmon dry before cooking to ensure crispy skin. Press gently on fillets when placing skin-side down to prevent curling. Make sauce in the same pan to capture browned bits. If sauce is too thin, simmer for 30 seconds to thicken. Lemon juice added at the end brightens the sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: pan-seared salmon, lemon caper butter sauce, quick salmon recipe, easy dinner, healthy seafood, crispy salmon skin

Find it online: https://gleefulfork.com/perfect-pan-seared-salmon-recipe-with-easy-lemon-caper-butter-sauce/