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This garlic butter salmon bites recipe pairs flaky salmon with a really simple, silky buttery garlic sauce that has a burst of fresh lemon! It’s ready in just 20 minutes.
Try my Garlic Butter Salmon Pasta or Air Fryer Salmon Bites next.
Why you’ll love it
These pan fried salmon bites are an easy way to dress up fish without spending a whole lot of time or money on it. Regular readers know that at S&L we love maximizing flavor using just a few everyday ingredients. Here it’s a little magic with garlic, butter, and lemon!
Each bite is so satisfying with the velvety sauce and little bits of garlic and fresh chopped parsley. You can serve these versatile skillet salmon bites with everything from mashed potatoes to risotto, and it’s a great simple salmon recipe for any weeknight.
What you’ll need
- Salmon – it’s high in protein and really easy to cook
- Olive oil and butter – for pan searing
- Garlic – for savory goodness
- Lemon juice – a hit of acidity to balance the flavors
- Parsley – a pop of freshness to round it out
Pro tip
Either ask the nice folks at the fish counter to remove the salmon skin for you, or take a sharp knife and carefully slice it off. Place it on a cutting board skin-side down, put one hand on top of the salmon, and then slowly slide the knife just above the skin using your other hand.
How to make garlic butter salmon
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Prep the salmon and cut it into bite-sized pieces, and season them with salt & pepper. Add the oil and half the butter to a skillet. Once very hot, cook the fish, undisturbed, for a couple of minutes. Flip, and continue cooking until lightly browned.
Transfer the fish to a plate. Turn the heat down, and add the remaining butter to the pan. Once melted, stir in the garlic until fragrant. Remove the skillet from the stove, and return the salmon. Add in the lemon and parsley, and toss gently.
Tools for this recipe
Check out Natasha’s favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!
- I always use this technique in a cast iron skillet.
- Mince the garlic with a garlic press, and measure out the butter easily in this butter dish with markings for where to cut it.
- Here’s my cute lemon-shaped lemon saver for leftovers.
Substitutions and variations
- You can change the seasoning up. Try Tony’s seasoning instead of salt & pepper, or use lemon pepper seasoning or your favorite salmon rub.
- If you want to have more butter to use as a sauce for mashed potatoes, etc., you may want to add another tablespoon or two in step 4.
- Try my similar Garlic Butter Chicken Bites or Garlic Butter Steak Bites instead.
What to serve with garlic butter salmon
- My Coconut Lime Rice, simple Risotto, or regular rice would be perfect.
- It’s tasty with my Boursin Mashed Potatoes or a Baked Potato as well!
- Make it a bowl with rice, chopped avocado, scallions, cucumber, and some Yum Yum Sauce.
Leftovers and storage
- Store leftover salmon the fridge for 2-3 days in the fridge in an airtight container, but note that I typically prefer to eat cooked salmon the next day.
- It’s good cold the next day on salad like my Parmesan Arugula Salad.
- You can freeze it for 3 months, but it may dry out/change texture a bit.
More easy fish recipes
If you made this pan fried salmon with a garlic butter sauce, please let me know in the comments below! I love reader reviews. Or tag me on Instagram!
Garlic Butter Salmon Bites
Ingredients
- 1 pound salmon (about 1" thick) skin removed
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter divided
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice or to taste
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cut the salmon into 1" pieces and pat it dry with paper towels. Season all over with salt & pepper.
- Add the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter to a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Once the pan is HOT, add the salmon in and cook for 2 minutes undisturbed, then turn it using tongs until browned on all sides and cooked through (about another 2-3 minutes). Transfer to a plate.
- Turn the heat down to medium-low. Add the remaining butter to the pan and let it melt. Stir in the garlic. Continue stirring for a minute or so until the garlic is just cooked (don't let it burn). Take the skillet off the heat once it's done.
- Add the salmon back to the skillet, along with the lemon juice and parsley. Toss gently to combine, and serve immediately with extra salt & pepper if needed.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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