Quick Pan-Seared Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon Steak

Today we’re sharing a dish that bursts with garlicky, buttery, lemony, and undeniably delicious flavors!

Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon Steak is a quick and easy salmon recipe utilizing simple, fresh ingredients like butter, herbs, and lemon to create a light and flavorful dish. The pan-seared outer crust and a perfectly tender interior delivers a gourmet experience for your taste buds.

Your weekday rotation just got easier! Pan-fry this salmon in under 10 minutes so you can eat a nourishing meal even on your busiest days.

For more quick and easy meals, check out our list of 30 minutes and under recipes or main dishes like Bulgogi Kimbap (Korean Seaweed Rice Rolls) and Longanisa Aglio e Olio!

Keep reading to learn more about Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon Steak!

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Table of Contents

Why You Should Make Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon Steak

Tasty recipe – If you’re a fan of garlicky, buttery flavors with a refreshing touch of lemon, this recipe is right up your alley! This dish perfectly harmonizes these amazing flavors, resulting in a mouthwatering experience as you cook.

Affordable and Convenient – This recipe is made with just a handful of easy-to-find, affordable ingredients. No specialized items are required, so you can easily source the ingredients at any grocery store.

Moreover, you can prepare this dish in about 10 minutes!

Meal Prep Friendly – This recipe is perfect for meal prepping a few days’ worth of lunches for your workweek.

Use a large frying pan to cook multiple Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon Steaks at once, then portion them out into meal prep containers for easy, healthy lunches on the go.

What’s the Difference Between Salmon Steak and Salmon Fillet?

You might be familiar with salmon fillets, but are you aware of salmon steaks?

Salmon steaks are cut across the fish, perpendicular to the spine, instead of along the sides from head to tail like salmon fillets. As a result, salmon steaks are bone-in and a larger piece of meat compared to fillets.

The bones in salmon steaks enhance the flavor, but there may also be smaller bones present. If you’re an experienced fish eater, these little bones should not be an issue.

Here is a quick summary of the differences between salmon steak and salmon fillet:

Salmon Steak:

• cut is perpendicular, through the spine
• generally sold as a large piece of meat
• bone-in = more flavor
• cheaper to buy than fillets
• watch out for little bones while you eat

Salmon Fillet:

• cut is along the sides of the fish, from head to tail
• can be sold in individually cut portions
• popular for its flakiness and bonelessness
• slightly more expensive

What to Serve with Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon Steak

You can enjoy Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon Steak in a variety of ways. Here are just a few ideas:

• Try it with a fresh herb salad or cucumber salad (see our Ensaladang Pipino recipe)
• Serve it with a side of brown rice and steamed broccoli
• Serve it with a side of steamed white rice and a bowl of miso soup
• Plate the salmon on a bed of steamed or raw cabbage, and allow the flavorful juices to fall and absorb into the cabbage.
• Make some creamy mashed potatoes and garlic green beans
• Grill zucchini squash and some stir-fried egg noodles

As you can see there are many ways to make this dish into a complete meal!

What is your favorite way to serve Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon Steak? Share it with us in the comments!

Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter ½ stick, divided in half
• 3 cloves garlic thinly sliced or minced
• 1 salmon steak
• 1 lemon halved
• salt & pepper to taste
• 2 stalks chives finely chopped

Recipe

1. Pat dry and season both sides of the salmon steak with salt and pepper.
2. Heat a cast iron or a nonstick pan over medium-high heat.
3. Add 2 tbsp of butter and garlic to the pan. Cook for 1 min or until garlic is fragrant.
4. Add the salmon steak to the pan. Let it cook for 5 min, allowing the bottom to become golden, then flip.
5. Cook for an addition 3-4 min. As this side is cooking, add the remaining 2 tbsp of butter. Tilt the pan and spoon the melted butter over the salmon.
6. As soon as the salmon becomes fully opaque and slightly firm to the touch (at medium 120-125°F/48-51°C), turn off the heat. Squeeze half a lemon into the pan, and spoon the sauce once more over the salmon. See Note 1.

Note 1. The USDA and other Food Safety government agencies recommended internal cooked temperature for salmon is 145℉/63℃. The best time to remove the salmon from heat is around 120-125°F/48-51°C when the meat is fully opaque and is slightly firm. The salmon will reach its final temperature as it rests.

7. Remove from heat and let it rest for about 5 minutes for the internal temperature to gently rise to well done at 145℉/63℃.
8. Slice the remaining half of the lemon for serving. Garnish the salmon with chives and a slice of lemon.

How to Store Leftover Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon Steak

Cooked Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon Steak can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Keep it in a clean, airtight container. As seafood has a relatively short shelf life in the fridge, it’s best to perform a smell check before consuming it.

Final Thoughts

With delicious flavors and quick cooking time, Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon Steak is a smart choice for those busy days when you need a nourishing meal. Cook multiple steaks at once for easy meal prep!

If you loved this recipe, come explore more of our fish and seafood recipes or 30 minutes and under recipes like Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice!

Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this recipe, please give a star rating and review on the recipe card below + share your creations on Instagram and tag us @itsforkandspoon!

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References & Further Reading

https://food52.com/hotline/31342-salmon-steak-vs-salmon-fillet

https://lummiislandwild.com/wild-salmon/king-salmon-fillets/#:~:text=There%20are%20a%20few%20key,are%20typically%20flakier%20than%20steaks

https://aksalmonco.com/blogs/learn/salmon-temperature#:~:text=Use%20a%20food%20thermometer%3A%20The,F%20(63%C2%B0C)

https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/How-long-can-you-keep-cooked-fish-in-the-refrigerator

https://www.foodsafety.gov/food-safety-charts/safe-minimum-internal-temperatures