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5 from 1 vote

Perfect Pan-Seared Salmon with 4 Ingredient Lemon Butter Cream Sauce

Pan-seared salmon that's perfectly cooked and topped with a creamy lemon butter sauce. It's seriously fancy enough for guests and easy enough for weeknights!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: 30 Minute Meals
Keyword: high fat, lemon butter cream sauce, low carb, pan fried salmon, pan-seared salmon, salmon, salmon with cream sauce, wild caught salmon
Servings: 5 servings (with a little extra sauce)
Author: Marzia

Ingredients

  • cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • ½ cup heavy cream see notes
  • 4 tablespoons cold salted butter cut into 16 cubes
  • 2 tablespoons chopped herbs I like parsley and thyme
  • 5 6 ounce salmon filets
  • 1 teaspoon salt + ½ teaspoon pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne
  • olive oil
  • 1 ½ - 2 lbs. broccolini or fresh broccoli

Instructions

  • Sauce: Heat the lemon juice in a small saucepan over medium heat and let the lemon juice simmer and reduce until you have about 1 tablespoon remaining, this will take approximately 5-8 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high and add in the cream and whisk. You want to let the cream reduce for a few minutes or until it's thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Turn the heat down to low, add in 2-3 small pieces of butter and whisk until it melts, do this slowly. Do not add all the butter at once. Continue to add in the butter until it's all gone. Stir in the herbs along with freshly cracked pepper and let the sauce sit on the lowest heat setting (so it just stays warm) until ready to serve.
  • Broccolini: Preheat the oven to 425ºF. When hot, drizzle the broccolini with a quick swish of olive oil and a big pinch of salt and pepper. Spread the broccolini out on a large baking sheet and roast for 5-7 minutes for al dente, and longer if you like it completely done.
  • Salmon: In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne. Sprinkle this mixture on both sides of the salmon generously. Set aside. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add in a quick swish of olive oil. Add 3 pieces of salmon to the skillet at let cook for 2-4 minutes on each side. It's difficult for me to tell you exact cooking time as this depends on the thickness of the filet. Make sure you feel for firmness, the salmon should gently spring back when pressed with index finger. For best results, use a fish turner to flip the fish. You may need to flip the fish to the side and cook for a couple seconds if your filet is thick. Set aside, repeat with second batch of salmon.
  • Serve: Drizzle the warm lemon butter cream sauce on the salmon and on the broccolini too if you wish. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Unsalted butter will also work, just add in a pinch of salt.
  • This recipe has only been tested with heavy cream, please use your best judgement for substitutions (if there are any). I don't think half and half will work for this recipe. Milk will definitely not work. For best results, I suggest following the recipe exactly as written.
  • For the herbs you can use just about anything you like! Dill always goes nicely with seafood so you can do that. Chopped basil/oregano are also good options!
  • Use skin-on salmon or skin-off, either will work. I took the skin off for mine and left some on for the hubby, both work out well with this recipe.
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