Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe

Our garlic butter salmon recipe makes a main dish that rivals any you might find at restaurants. It’s a dish that captures your attention at first glance with glossy-skinned salmon laid on a bright green bed of asparagus alongside golden potato wedges.

The goodness isn't just on the outside either. This dish also captivates the taste buds with tender, flaky salmon that carries the complex flavors of garlic, butter, and robust spices. Even better, this impressive dish can easily be made at home with simple ingredients in just under 30 minutes. 

Is Garlic Butter Salmon Healthy?

Even though this recipe requires pan-searing, it’s still relatively healthy because we made sure to carefully choose and measure the ingredients. For starters, we tried to limit the amount of oil by using only one tablespoon of olive oil. This type of oil, which has a medium-high smoke point, is also considered to be a healthy choice for cooking.

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Additionally, we used only a small amount of butter to add flavor without filling the dish with unhealthy fat. There are 7.5 g saturated fat and 464.6 mg sodium, both of which take up less than 33% of the recommended daily intake limit.

With salmon as the main ingredient, this dish is an incredible source of omega-3 fatty acids, which may help to give your body energy and prevent cardiovascular disease. Cooked alongside asparagus, this dish is also packed with fiber, potassium, and antioxidants that may promote heart health. 

Main Ingredients You'll Need

As sophisticated and restaurant-worthy as this dish looks, it doesn’t require complex ingredients. You can most likely find them at your local supermarket; some are probably already in your pantry. 

• Salmon 

We used boneless sockeye fillets for this recipe. If you’re purchasing fresh fillets, look for one with a fresh appearance, which includes bright, reddish flesh that’s firm and bouncy with a mild sea scent. It shouldn’t have dark spots, gray and opaque skin, mushy flesh, or a foul fish odor. 

Frozen salmon can also be used, just remember to fully thaw it before cooking. When selecting it, steer clear of packages that have ice crystals. This suggests that it’s been frozen more than once, which could lead to a decrease in quality.

• Asparagus

This vegetable instantly enhances the dish's flavor with its earthy taste and bitter-sweet undertone. When choosing asparagus, look for bright-colored stalks that are firm and straight with a closed tip, as this often indicates freshness. 

• Potato

The golden wedges of potatoes give this dish an irresistible appearance. Not only that, but their starchy and creamy consistency also marvelously complements the salmon’s tender meat.

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• Garlic 

This recipe wouldn’t be complete without this versatile plant. It’s minced into fine pieces that infuse the dish with a signature garlicky and subtly sweet taste.

• Butter

We use unsalted butter to reduce the amount of sodium in this dish. This variety has a milder sweetness than the regular kind, making it an ideal ingredient for this richly-flavored dish. 

• Seasonings

Paprika, salt, pepper, and garlic powder are the spices used in this recipe to enhance the salmon’s flavor. We also added a small squeeze of lemon juice to add a touch of zesty flavor that makes the dish more vibrant. 

How to Prepare the Ingredients

Much of the ingredient list is devoted to spices and butter, which need to be divided into the right portions. The more time-consuming elements are the fish and vegetables, which should be thoroughly prepared to ensure the dish’s quality.

• Salmon 

There are three main steps when it comes to preparing the salmon for this recipe:

1. Descaling: To make the process easier, rinse the fish under cool water to loosen the scales. Then fluff them up by sliding a knife in the opposite direction of the one they're going in. Scrape in short strokes until the skin is clear and lightly rinse.
2. Deboning: Even though we use a boneless cut, there could still be small hidden pin bones. Slightly lift the fish from underneath to encourage them to protrude, and slide your hand over the surface to feel for any tiny bumps. Grab the tips of any bones with a tweezer and slowly but steadily wriggle them out. It helps to move in the same direction as the bones to avoid tearing through the flesh. 
3. Rinsing: Once you have removed the scales and bones, thoroughly rinse over both sides of the salmon, then use paper towels to pat it dry.

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• Potato

Potatoes are grown in the ground and often carry dirt so remember to rinse them thoroughly. We kept it simple and cut them into 3/4 - 1 inch wedges without peeling off the skin. Then, soak the wedges in cold water for a few minutes to remove the excess starch. 

• Asparagus 

To prepare, thoroughly wash the stalks to remove any dirt, then trim or snap the woody ends off. If the stalks are too thick, you can use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin on the lower half.

Store and Reheat the Leftover

This salmon dish will last up to two days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge. In the freezer, it may last up to several months, however, it’s not recommended since the texture will change after thawing. 

To reheat, you can use either the microwave or the stovetop. If it seems to have dried out, add a little olive oil.

What to Serve With

This garlic butter salmon is filling enough on its own, but you can always pair it with a side dish to make a complete and satisfying meal. Here are some of our suggestions:

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Similarly Gorgeous Salmon Ideas

Let us first give you a proper introduction to Cajun salmon: crispy filets doused in spices and butter and served up with a quick avocado salad. It’s one of the quickest salmon recipes we have, coming together in just 15 minutes.

Oh the skin isn’t crispy enough for you? Our pan-seared salmon might be what you want. The seasonings are just basic: butter, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. When the sauce has drenched the filets and properly come together, we drizzle it over the top of the veggie tray baked while the fish sizzles.

Check out either of those articles and you shall find more delicious, healthy salmon ideas of ours.

How to Make Garlic Butter Salmon

5 from 2 votes

Elevate your dinner menu with this garlic butter salmon recipe featuring salmon that's crispy on the outside and delightfully juicy on the inside. Wrapped in a garlicky scent with a mildly sweet undertone, it carries depths of flavor that draw you in with the very first bite.

- by Tuyet Pham, Luna Regina, 2022-08-06

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• cook TIME 20 mins
• prep TIME 7 mins
• total TIME 27 mins

• COURSE Main Course
• CUISINE American
• SERVINGS
  4

  servings
• CALORIES 483 kcal

INGREDIENTS

1x2x3x

• 26 oz boneless salmon (descaled)
• 22 oz potatoes (cut into wedges)
• 10 oz asparagus (woody ends removed)
• 2 oz lemon slices
• 2 tbsp garlic (minced)
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 2 tbsp parsley (chopped)

INSTRUCTIONS

1

In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave 22 oz potatoes on full power for 15 minutes.

2

Season 26 oz boneless salmon with 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder.

3

Over medium-high heat, heat 1 tbsp olive oil until hot. Then, pan-sear salmon for 5 minutes on both sides. Sear with the skin side down until golden and crispy, then flip the fish and sear the other side.

4

Add 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 2 tbsp garlic, and 1 tsp lemon juice in the pan then stir these ingredients around the salmon for 1 minute.

5

Preheat the oven to 450°F. Leave the remaining sauce on the pan but remove the salmon and lay it onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper alongside 10 oz asparagus. Then drizzle the sauce over these ingredients. Sprinkle 2 tbsp parsley on top and put on the middle shelf of the oven for 12 minutes.

6

Garnish with parsley and lemon slices, then serve immediately.

NUTRITION

Nutrition Facts

How to Make Garlic Butter Salmon

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 483Calories from Fat 189

% Daily Value*

Fat 21g

32%

Saturated Fat 7g

44%

Trans Fat 21g

Polyunsaturated Fat 3g

Monounsaturated Fat 8g

Cholesterol 117mg

39%

Sodium 464mg

20%

Potassium 1518mg

43%

Carbohydrate 31g

10%

Fiber 6g

25%

Sugar 4g

4%

Protein 46g

92%

Vitamin A 1143IU

23%

Vitamin C 30mg

36%

Calcium 66mg

7%

Iron 4mg

22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Keywords: garlic butter salmon, garlic butter salmon recipe, how to make garlic butter salmon