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  7. Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter
Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter

Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter

Crispy-skinned salmon fillets in a luscious lemon butter sauce with capers. Restaurant-quality fish in 15 minutes.

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Prep5 min
Cook10 min
Protein36g
Calories380
Carbs2g
Fat26g

Per serving · Adjust servings below to scale ingredients

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🥗Ingredients

4 servings

Salmon

  • 4 salmon fillets (150g each, skin-on)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper

Lemon Butter Sauce

  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 tbsp capers
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Serving

  • Steamed asparagus or green beans
  • Lemon wedges

👨‍🍳Instructions

  1. 1

    Pat salmon dry and season generously with salt and pepper.

  2. 2

    Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place salmon skin-side down, press gently. Cook 4-5 minutes until skin is crispy.

  3. 3

    Flip and cook 2-3 minutes more for medium (or to desired doneness).

  4. 4

    Remove salmon. Add butter to pan, let it foam. Add garlic, cook 30 seconds. Add lemon juice and capers.

  5. 5

    Spoon lemon butter sauce over salmon. Garnish with parsley and serve with vegetables.

📊Nutrition per serving

Values are per 1 serving and stay fixed regardless of the servings adjuster above — use the adjuster to scale ingredients only.

Calories380
Protein36g
Carbs2g
Fat26g
Fiber0g

💪Protein & Nutrition Breakdown

Fish is an exceptionally lean protein source rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which play a role in reducing exercise-induced inflammation and supporting recovery. It digests quickly, making it an excellent choice around workouts. Each serving of Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter delivers 36g of protein at 380 calories — that's 11 calories per gram of protein, making it one of the more efficient protein sources on this site. Protein accounts for roughly 38% of total calories in this dish. With only 2g of carbohydrates per serving, this recipe fits well into low-carb, ketogenic, or carb-cycling approaches. The 26g of fat primarily comes from the cooking method and protein source itself, contributing to satiety and supporting fat-soluble vitamin absorption.

🥡Meal Prep & Storage

Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter is a quick recipe that scales well for meal prep. This recipe makes 4 servings, each delivering 36g of protein and 380 calories — ideal for tracking macros across the week. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave in 90-second intervals, stirring between each, until heated through. Adding a small splash of water or broth prevents the protein from drying out during reheating. Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter also freezes well — portion into individual freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Batch cooking a double or triple portion on the weekend means you have 36g-protein meals ready throughout the week with zero daily effort.

💡 Tips & Notes

  • •Start skin-side down in a cold-ish pan for crispiest skin.
  • •Don't move the fish while it cooks.
  • •Internal temp of 52°C for medium, 60°C for well done.

Variations

  • →Use any fish fillet: cod, halibut, or sea bass.
  • →Add white wine to the sauce.
  • →Serve over mashed potatoes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter ahead of time?

Fish is best cooked fresh. You can prep the marinade or sauce 1-2 days ahead. Cooking takes under 15 minutes, so day-of prep is the practical choice.

Can I substitute a different type of fish?

Yes — any firm-fleshed fish works. For flaky white fish recipes, try cod, halibut, or mahi-mahi. For salmon recipes, try arctic char or steelhead trout.

How do I keep it crispy?

Don't crowd the pan — cook in batches. Place finished items on a wire rack (not paper towels, which trap steam). Serve immediately, or keep warm in a 120°C (250°F) oven on a rack.

high proteinquicklow carb30 minute meal

Recipe by

BoBo Chef

Fitness enthusiast and home cook. Every recipe is tested in a real kitchen and macro-verified before publishing.

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