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Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe Easy Cast Iron Dinner for Beginners

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A quick and easy garlic butter salmon recipe cooked in a cast iron skillet, perfect for beginners and weeknight dinners. This dish features crispy skin, tender salmon, and a rich garlic butter sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz / 170g each), skin-on preferred
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (60g)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 teaspoons)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (30ml)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (15ml)

Instructions

  1. Pat the salmon dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat a 10 to 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and heat until shimmering but not smoking.
  3. Place salmon fillets skin-side down in the skillet. Press gently with a spatula for 10 seconds to prevent curling. Cook undisturbed for 6 to 8 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy and the color changes halfway up the fillet.
  4. Flip the salmon carefully using tongs. Immediately add butter and minced garlic to the pan. Tilt the pan and spoon the melted garlic butter over the salmon repeatedly, ensuring the garlic does not burn.
  5. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until salmon is just cooked through but still moist. Turn off heat, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the fillets, and sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

Patting the salmon dry is essential for crispy skin. Use medium-high heat to avoid burning the garlic butter. Spoon the garlic butter over the salmon repeatedly to keep it moist and flavorful. Avoid overcooking to keep the salmon tender. Fresh lemon juice brightens the dish and balances richness. For a lighter or dairy-free version, substitute butter with olive oil or dairy-free margarine.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter salmon, easy salmon recipe, cast iron salmon, weeknight dinner, beginner recipe, quick salmon, buttery salmon, crispy salmon skin

Find it online: https://blairrecipes.com/garlic-butter-salmon-recipe-easy-cast-iron-dinner-for-beginners/