This super easy delicious Pan-Seared Salmon recipe is an elegant meal with a rich garlic butter sauce and a hint of rosemary that enhances the lemon flavour in this dish. Finish it off the fresh dill.
Salmon filets can be prepared in multiple ways, very similar to chicken. Whether you prepare it on it’s own with sides or add it to a dish to enhance the flavours. Here I will give you some ideas what you can serve with this salmon:
- As shown here, pan-seared asparagus, and a simple pasta with the garlic butter sauce and fresh parsley
- Roasted sweet potatoes with roasted vegetables
- Roasted potatoes with Rosemary
- Lemon Herb Wild Rice/Basmati Rice
- Herb flavoured Quinoa
- Roasted Garlic Brussel Sprouts
- Mixed Green Salad with simple Balsamic Vinaigrette
- A pasta dish will a light cream sauce
- A light stir-fry with mixed vegetables
Helpful Tips:
Salmon: can be such a versatile fish and when you pan-sear it in a skillet, it is important not to move the fish once you place it in the skillet. I recommend using a cast iron skillet but a fry pan will do. Also, the option is to pan-sear the top of the salmon and turn it over, then place in the oven for about 10 minutes at 400 degrees fahrenheit.
Some hints of purchasing salmon: it should not smell fishy, and if it does, it is not fresh. It should glisten, not look dull. Try to purchase Pacific or Alaskan salmon, and avoid farmed Atlantic.
Lemon juice: adds a citrus freshness and brings out the flavours of the salmon and the other ingredients
Rosemary: can be a pungent flavour, however it will enhance the lemon flavour
Butter: gives the salmon it’s rich flavour, and glaze
White wine: is cooked to reduce but it a richness and fruity flavour
Dill: I just love the flavour of dill. It’s fresh, has a combination of celery and fennel flavour and works so beautifully with salmon.
Pan-Seared Salmon with Rosemary Garlic Butter Sauce
Ingredients
- 2-6 oz salmon fillet
- salt and pepper to season
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup white wine/vegetable broth/chicken broth
- fresh dill/parsley for garnishing
Instructions
- Pat day each salmon filet with paper towel. Season each with salt and pepper. Squeeze 1 teaspoon of lemon juice on each fillet.
- Heat a cast-iron or large skillet over medium to high heat, add olive oil. Once oil is hot, add salmon filets flesh side down and sear for about 3-5 minutes until crispy and golden. Then flip the salmon, then add butter, once melted, add rosemary, garlic and white wine/broth. If using wine, allow to cook for about 1 minute, then transfer to a 375°F oven for about 8-10 minutes. Using a large spoon, baste the salmon with the sauce before transferring to oven.
- Remove the salmon from the oven, and continue to baste with the remaining sauce. Sprinkle with fresh dill, or parsley on top as a garnish.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Searing the salmon: make sure your skillet is hot, add olive oil, and sear the salmon flesh side down for about 3-4 minutes. Reduce heat and turn over the salmon, wait for about a minute, then add butter, once melted, add garlic and white wine or vegetable broth. Use a large spoon and baste the salmon while it’s cooking to create a glaze. Then transfer to oven for about 8-10 minutes to finish cooking the salmon.
Serve it up: This salmon dish has all the flavours and more, so when it comes to what sides to add, keep it simple. In this case, salmon with asparagus really compliment each other beautifully, and add a simple pasta. In this dish, I added olive oil with some of the garlic butter sauce and fresh parsley to the pasta, and finished it off with fresh dill, and it was absolutely delicious!
