Pan-Seared King Salmon with Lemon Butter Honey Garlic Sauce
This recipe combines pan-seared King Salmon with a rich and flavorful lemon butter honey garlic sauce. Perfectly crispy skin and tender, flaky flesh make this dish ideal for an elegant yet quick dinner.
Ingredients
For the Salmon:
- 1 ½ lbs wild King Salmon cut into 4 fillets (approx. 6 oz each)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the Lemon Butter Honey Garlic Sauce:
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup chicken stock or vegetable broth
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
Instructions
Preparation:
- Pat the salmon fillets dry and score the skin with shallow diagonal cuts to prevent curling.
- Drizzle olive oil over the skin side and rub it into the cuts.
- Season both the skin and flesh sides with salt and pepper.
Cooking the Salmon:
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tbsp olive oil and swirl to coat the pan.
- Place the fillets skin-side down in the hot pan. Press lightly with a spatula to ensure even contact with the pan.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crisp.
- Flip the salmon carefully and cook the flesh side for an additional 2-3 minutes, depending on desired doneness.
- Remove the fillets and let them rest for a few minutes.
Making the Sauce:
- In the same pan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken stock and let it simmer for 1 minute.
- Stir in the lemon juice, soy sauce, and honey. Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Remove from heat and drizzle the sauce over the cooked salmon.
Notes
- For extra flavor, baste the salmon with the sauce during the last minute of cooking.
- Serve with a side of roasted potatoes for a complete meal.
- Avoid overcooking to maintain the salmon's moist, tender texture.