Description
Lemon Garlic Salmon brings a zesty seafood delight straight from your kitchen to the dinner table. Tender fish fillets marinated in tangy citrus and aromatic garlic create a simple yet mouthwatering meal that delivers restaurant-quality flavor at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 4 6-ounce salmon fillets
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Liquids and Extras:
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Whisk 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons lemon zest, ¼ cup lemon juice, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon oregano, ½ teaspoon thyme, and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes into a smooth marinade. Season with salt and pepper to your taste.
- Gently pat your salmon fillets dry using paper towels. Transfer them to a shallow dish and pour the entire marinade over the fish, ensuring each fillet gets completely coated.
- Refrigerate your salmon for exactly 30 minutes, turning the fillets halfway through to distribute the marinade evenly.
- Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers and looks slightly wavy.
- Carefully place your salmon fillets into the hot skillet, positioning them skin-side down if your fillets have skin. Keep enough space between fillets to prevent overcrowding.
- Sear the salmon for precisely 4-5 minutes, watching the bottom edge turn opaque and the skin develop a golden-brown crisp.
- Gently flip each fillet and cook for another 3-4 minutes, ensuring the salmon reaches an internal temperature of 145F.
- Transfer your perfectly cooked salmon to a serving plate. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley over the top and arrange lemon wedges alongside for squeezing.
Notes
- Marinating for less than 30 minutes won’t develop enough flavor, so aim for at least 30 minutes but no more than 2 hours to prevent the acid from breaking down the fish.
- Use a cast-iron or stainless steel skillet for the best golden-brown crust, which helps seal in the salmon’s moisture and creates a delightful texture.
- For gluten-free diets, ensure your honey or maple syrup is certified gluten-free, and check any dried herbs for potential cross-contamination.
- When checking salmon’s doneness, look for a slightly translucent center and an internal temperature of 145°F, which ensures the fish is perfectly cooked without becoming dry.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-9 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 70 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg