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Pat salmon dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
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.
Flip and cook 2-3 minutes more for medium (or to desired doneness).
Remove salmon. Add butter to pan, let it foam. Add garlic, cook 30 seconds. Add lemon juice and capers.
Spoon lemon butter sauce over salmon. Garnish with parsley and serve with vegetables.
Values are per 1 serving and stay fixed regardless of the servings adjuster above — use the adjuster to scale ingredients only.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Recipe by
BoBo ChefFitness enthusiast and home cook. Every recipe is tested in a real kitchen and macro-verified before publishing.