Creamy Lemon Butter Salmon: 5 Easy Tips for Delicious Dinner

Name: Creamy Lemon Butter Salmon Recipe (Easy, Bright & Buttery)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each); Salt & pepper; 1 Tbsp olive oil; 1 Tbsp butter; 2 Tbsp butter (for sauce); 3 garlic cloves, minced; ½ cup heavy cream; ¼ cup chicken broth; Juice & zest of 1 lemon; 1 tsp Dijon mustard; Pinch red pepper flakes (optional); 2 Tbsp chopped parsley or dill; Lemon wedges, thyme, or chives for garnish (optional)

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Introduction: Why This Creamy Lemon Garlic Salmon Is a Must-Try

This creamy lemon butter salmon recipe tastes like you’ve been training under a Michelin-starred chef—but it’s a 30-minute kitchen win. You’re pairing rich, velvety sauce with tender, pan-seared salmon and fresh lemon zest. It’s comforting, vibrant, and versatile.

I first made a version of this after raiding my fridge post-grocery day. All I had was a couple salmon fillets, half a lemon, and some cream. With garlic and butter in the mix? It turned into what I now call the “how-did-I-make-this-on-a-Tuesday” dinner.

Why You’ll Love This Lemon Butter Salmon

A Creamy Salmon Recipe with Gourmet Flavor

You get restaurant vibes with a five-ingredient sauce. This dish gives you rich cream and tangy lemon in perfect balance.

Balanced Brightness with Garlic & Herbs

Fresh lemon juice, garlic, and herbs give this creamy lemon garlic salmon a flavor punch that cuts through the richness.

The Best Easy Salmon Dinner Under 30 Minutes

Quick pan-sear, quick sauce, done. It’s a weeknight dream.

Salmon in Lemon Cream Sauce = Side Dish Superstar

Goes with rice, potatoes, polenta, or pasta. Seriously, anything.

Kid and Crowd Approved

Not spicy (unless you add the flakes), not too fishy, just buttery, bright deliciousness.

Tools & Prep Tips for Pan-Seared Salmon Recipe Success

Must-Have Tools for Garlic Butter Salmon

Cast iron or nonstick skillet – key for searing
Fish spatula – flips salmon without destroying it
Zester – zest = flavor boost
Garlic press – faster than mincing
Whisk – to emulsify that creamy sauce
Knife & board – prep like a pro

Chef Tips to Nail Lemon Herb Salmon Every Time

Pat your salmon fillets dry — moisture ruins browning
Room temp salmon — cold fish = uneven cook
Preheat pan — for that golden crust
Zest before juicing — don’t fight a floppy lemon
Don’t crowd the pan — give each fillet space to sear
Deglaze with lemon juice — lift all that flavor
Simmer sauce — don’t boil or split

Ingredients for Creamy Lemon Dill Salmon

Category	Ingredients
For the Salmon	4 salmon fillets (6 oz each), salt & pepper, 1 Tbsp olive oil, 1 Tbsp butter
For the Sauce	2 Tbsp butter, 3 garlic cloves (minced), ½ cup heavy cream, ¼ cup chicken broth, juice & zest of 1 lemon, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, pinch red pepper flakes (optional), 2 Tbsp parsley or dill
Optional Garnishes	Lemon wedges, thyme, chives

These ingredients bring together everything in the lemon butter salmon, creamy salmon recipe, and salmon in lemon cream sauce playbook.

How to Make Salmon in Lemon Cream Sauce (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Season and Prep Salmon

Dry those fillets like your sear depends on it—because it does. Salt, pepper, rest 10 min. Room-temp fish equals even cook.

Step 2: Sear the Salmon Fillets

Hot pan. Oil + butter. When it shimmers, drop the salmon skin-side up. Let it sear—don’t poke it. Flip after 4 min. Sear another 3. It should feel firm but springy.

Step 3: Build Your Lemon Garlic Butter Base

Reduce heat. Add butter and garlic. Stir until fragrant—no browning. Splash in lemon juice and broth. Scrape the flavor bits.

Step 4: Make It Creamy

Whisk in cream, Dijon, and lemon zest. Simmer gently. Add herbs and flakes. Taste it. Season it. This is your creamy lemon butter sauce.

Whisking creamy lemon garlic sauce with herbs and pepper flakes

Step 5: Return Salmon to Sauce

Nestle it back in. Spoon sauce over. Warm it through. Don’t overcook.

Step 6: Serve the Creamy Lemon Herb Salmon

Plate it up. Extra sauce, lemon wedges, fresh herbs on top. Serve with bread, potatoes, or greens. Whatever catches that sauce.

Creamy Lemon Butter Salmon Recipe — Creamy, citrusy, and comforting—this salmon dish pairs beautifully with bread for soaking up every drop.

Notes & Tips for Perfect Garlic Butter Salmon

Salmon type: Wild = leaner and stronger; farmed = fattier and milder
Cream subs: Half-and-half or coconut milk (dairy-free option)
Herb swaps: Dill for classic, parsley for clean, chives for mild onion kick
Why zest matters: It’s the lemon’s real magic
Spice control: More or less red pepper—your call

Mistakes to Avoid When Cooking Lemon Butter Salmon

Overcooking = dry salmon
Boiling the sauce = broken mess
Cold salmon = raw inside, overdone outside
Skipping deglazing = missed flavor
Crowded pan = steamed, not seared
Bottled lemon juice = sad flavor
Herbs too early = wilted and bitter
No salt = flat sauce

Best Sides for Lemon Cream Salmon (8 Great Ideas)

Garlic mashed potatoes
Steamed asparagus
Lemon herb rice pilaf
Sautéed green beans with almonds
Crusty artisan bread
Creamy polenta
Mixed greens salad
Roasted Brussels sprouts

All of these soak up or contrast beautifully with that salmon in lemon cream sauce.

Storage Instructions for Creamy Lemon Butter Salmon

Refrigerate: Store in sealed container up to 3 days. Reheat gently with cream or broth.
Freeze? Not this one. The cream sauce won’t survive the freezer.

Nutrition Estimate (Per Serving)

Calories: ~520 kcal
Protein: 35 g
Fat: 39 g (Sat fat: 18 g)
Carbs: 4 g
Sodium: 320 mg
Cholesterol: 145 mg

More Flavor-Packed Recipes to Try

Looking to explore more creamy dishes or new ways to cook salmon? Here are a few of my favorites from the blog:

Want baked salmon that tastes like it came straight from your favorite steakhouse? Try this Texas Roadhouse Style Baked Salmon—flaky, savory, and straight-up satisfying.
For a quicker, healthier take, my Air Fryer Salmon Recipe gives you crispy skin and juicy center with almost no cleanup.
If you’re craving bold Southern heat, this Cajun Honey Butter Salmon brings the sweet heat with a luscious glaze.
Love garlic butter sauces? Don’t miss my Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta—it’s a creamy comfort dish that never fails.
Or if you’re in the mood for a one-pan creamy meal, this Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice is the cozy, hearty option you didn’t know you needed.

FAQ: Creamy Lemon Butter Salmon Recipe

Can I use frozen salmon?

Yes. Thaw fully and pat dry.

Substitute for heavy cream?

Try half-and-half or unsweetened coconut milk.

Is it gluten-free?

Absolutely. No flour or pasta unless you add it.

How to make dairy-free?

Use olive oil and coconut cream.

My sauce split—what now?

Whisk in more cream off heat or start over (gently next time!).

Can I bake the salmon instead?

Sure. Bake at 425°F for 12–15 min, then pour sauce over.

Does it work with pasta?

100%. Toss the pasta in sauce and top with salmon.

Can I add veggies?

Yes—try spinach, peas, or sautéed mushrooms.

Conclusion: Why This Easy Salmon Dinner Belongs in Your Weekly Rotation

This creamy lemon butter salmon recipe is fast, full of flavor, and endlessly flexible. It’s an easy salmon dinner that feels special but doesn’t ask for much—just good ingredients and a little technique.

Make it once, and it’ll earn a permanent spot in your dinner rotation. Want a dairy-free version? A pasta twist? More heat? Let me know. And when you make it—show it off! I want to see that golden salmon and creamy sauce glisten.

👉 Share your creations or get more dinner inspiration on my Pinterest page.