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Quick Pan-Seared Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon Steak

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!
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Prep Time 1 minute
Cook Time 9 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 2
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Asian
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

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

Equipment

  • cast iron pan
  • thermometer optional

Method
 

  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.
  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.

Notes

See 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.