Zesty and succulent, my lemon herb salmon is a winner in both taste and nutrition! Smothered in rich herbed butter and coated in lemon juice, this recipe is easy to follow and guaranteed to impress. And the best part? It's easy to make and can be on the table in just 25 minutes!
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My herb butter salmon is just divine! The lemon juice adds a bright acidity that cuts through the richness of the butter and brings out the beautiful flavors of the herbs. Plus, because we cook the salmon with a herb crust in a skillet, it results in a wonderfully golden brown and flaky fish that simply melts in your mouth.
For an added flavor explosion, we make our own herbed butter for salmon in this recipe. This herbed butter is not only great on salmon but also delicious on chicken, steak, vegetables, and even just spread on a chunk of crusty bread! So if you have any leftovers (if!), make sure to save it in the fridge for later.
Why You'll Love Lemon Herb Salmon
- Sure to be a new family favorite. Getting kids to try new recipes can sometimes be a challenge, but this salmon with a herb crust recipe is so tasty that they won't be able to resist.
- Easy to make with just a few simple ingredients. No need to go out and buy a bunch of fancy ingredients; this herb butter salmon only requires a few pantry staples and some delicious salmon.
- A comforting and nutritious meal. Herb butter salmon is not only tasty, but it's also packed with healthy omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and vitamins. Using salmon instead of other meat you might usually use, like chicken or beef, is also a great way to switch things up!
Ingredients Herb Butter Salmon
For the Salmon
- Basil
- Parsley
- Thyme
- Oregano
- Red pepper flakes
- Lemon
- Salt
- Salmon filets
- Olive oil
For the Herbed Butter
- Butter
- Parsley
- Oregano
- Garlic
For the exact amounts needed, please see the recipe card below.
Instructions For Salmon With A Herb Crust
- Combine herbs, red pepper flakes, and salt.
- Sprinkle over salmon and lightly press until all the filets are evenly coated.
- Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-low heat until the oil is shimmering.
- Add the salmon filets. Cook 6-8 minutes per side until deep golden brown. This time will vary depending on how thick your filets are.
- When salmon is about 2 minutes away from being done, slice the lemon into wedges and lightly brown them in the pan with the salmon as it finishes cooking.
- The salmon is done when it reaches 135-145ºF on an instant-read thermometer.
- Remove the salmon and lemons from the pan and cover. Wipe out the pan.
- Add the butter and melt. Turn off the heat.
- Add the parsley and garlic and stir to combine.
- Add the salmon and lemons back into the pan along with any accumulated juices. Spoon the herbed butter over the salmon.
- Squeeze the lemon over the salmon to serve.
We love this salmon served over an easy green salad, roasted vegetables like oven roasted broccoli, or some creamy steakhouse mashed potatoes! You could also crumble it up and serve it in a pasta dish, like macaroni salad. Instead of using mayonnaise, the buttery lemon sauce will coat the pasta and make it extra delicious!
I love salmon in this recipe, but you could use a cod steak or chicken breast if you prefer. The cooking times will vary depending on the thickness of your meat. You'll need to keep an eye on it and use a meat thermometer to ensure it is cooked through.
Cooking in a skillet allows the herbed butter for salmon to get nice and flavorful. Plus, it's easy to add the lemon wedges in at the end to cook them lightly. But, if you don't have a skillet, you could absolutely grill my lemon herb salmon instead!
This recipe is actually super similar to the Olive Garden herb grilled salmon, so grilling instead of cooking in a skillet would give it that Olive Garden restaurant-quality feel. If you do grill, I would recommend brushing the grill with oil before adding the salmon (so it doesn't stick).
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Lemon Herb Salmon
Equipment
- Pan Set
- Thermoworks MK4 Thermapen
Ingredients
For the Salmon
- 1 teaspoon basil (dried, see note)
- 1 teaspoon parsley (dried)
- 1 teaspoon thyme (dried)
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 salmon filets (fresh or thawed)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 lemons (cut into wedges)
For the Herbed Butter
- ½ cup butter (one stick)
- ¼ cup parsley (fresh, minced)
- 2 teaspoons oregano (fresh, minced)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
Instructions
- Combine herbs, red pepper flakes, and salt.
- Sprinkle over salmon and lightly press until all the filets are evenly coated.
- Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-low heat until the oil is shimmering.
- Add the salmon filets. Cook 6-8 minutes per side until deep golden brown. This time will vary depending on how thick your filets are.
- When salmon is about 2 minutes away from being done, slice the lemon into wedges and lightly brown them in the pan with the salmon as it finishes cooking.
- The salmon is done when it reaches 135-145ºF on an instant-read thermometer.
- Remove the salmon and lemons from the pan and cover. Wipe out the pan.
- Add the butter and melt. Turn off the heat.
- Add the parsley and garlic and stir to combine.
- Add the salmon and lemons back into the pan along with any accumulated juices. Spoon the herbed butter over the salmon.
- Squeeze the lemon over the salmon to serve.
Alli
Family favorite!