15-Minute Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe

I once butchered a salmon trying way TOO hard to impress my friends. It was dry, overcooked, and honestly, kinda tragic.

This garlic butter salmon is how I made a comeback, and it's been my go-to ever since.

It's SUPER simple, juicy, and packed with so much flavor from the buttery, garlicky sauce.

Every time I make it, it feels a little fancy without being stressful. Just real good food makes you feel proud when you set it on the table.

If I can turn my biggest kitchen fail into something this good, you're about to feel unstoppable too.

This one's staying in my recipe book forever.

What You Need for This Garlic Butter Salmon

Salmon (skin on): I always go for salmon fillets with the skin on. They crisp up so nice when you pan-fry them and help keep the fish super juicy.
Garlic: You're gonna want a good spoonful of minced garlic.
Butter: A small piece of butter goes a long way.
Sweet chili sauce: It really brings the whole sauce together and makes it taste like you spent WAY more time on it than you actually did.
Soy sauce: A little soy sauce gives the sauce that deep, savory vibe.
Green onion and cilantro: I love topping mine with chopped green onions and cilantro because they add a little crunch and a fresh pop of flavor right at the end.

Ingredients for Garlic Butter Salmon, including soy sauce, butter, sweet chili sauce, garlic, chopped green onion, and raw seasoned salmon fillets on a wooden board.

How to Make Garlic Butter Salmon

Step 1: Season the salmon

Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels.
Sprinkle both sides with salt and black pepper.

Step 2: Cook the salmon

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan over medium heat.
Place the salmon skin-side down in the pan.
Cook for about 4-5 minutes, until the skin is crispy and the sides look golden.
Flip the salmon and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the salmon is cooked through but still juicy.
Remove the salmon from the pan and set it aside.

Step 3: Make the garlic butter sauce

Add 1 tablespoon of butter to the same pan and let it melt over medium heat.
Add minced garlic and stir for 30 seconds, just until the garlic smells fragrant.
Pour in soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, and water. Stir together.
Let the sauce simmer for about 1 minute, until it slightly thickens and turns glossy.

Step 4: Assemble and garnish

Pour the sauce all over the cooked salmon.
Sprinkle chopped green onion and cilantro on top before serving.

Garlic Butter Salmon fillets sliced and topped with garlic butter sauce, fresh cilantro, and green onions on a wooden cutting board.

How to Store Leftovers

If you end up with leftovers, just let the salmon cool down first. Then pop it into an airtight container and stick it in the fridge. It’ll stay good for about 2 to 3 days.
When you’re ready to eat it again, you can reheat it in a pan over low heat or microwave it for about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Just be careful not to overheat it, or it might dry out a little. Adding a splash of water or extra sauce before reheating helps keep it nice and juicy.

Close-up of Garlic Butter Salmon fillets, juicy and golden, covered in garlic butter sauce, fresh cilantro, and green onions.

FAQs About This Recipe

1. Can I use salmon without skin?

Totally. Skin-on salmon helps it stay juicy and get crispy on the outside, but if you only have skinless, it still works. Just be a little more careful when flipping it so it doesn't break apart.

2. What if I don't have sweet chili sauce?

You can swap it with a little honey and a pinch of red pepper flakes.

3. How do I know when my salmon's done?

The easiest way is to gently press it with fork. If it flakes easily and the middle is just a little but translucent, you're good. Overcooked salmon gets dry fast, so it's better to pull it off the heat a tiny bit early.

4. Can I bake the salmon instead of pan-frying?

Yep. Just season it and bake at 400F for about 12-15 minutes, depending on how thick your fillets are. You can still pour the garlic butter sauce on top after.

5. Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

For sure. You can make the sauce a few hours ahead and just warm it up when you're ready to eat.

Garlic Butter Salmon fillets served on a white plate, topped with garlic butter sauce, fresh cilantro, and chopped green onions.

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 10 mins

Total Time 15 mins

Cuisine: American, Asian

Courses: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course

Difficulty: Beginner

Servings: 4

Calories: 350 kcal per serving

Best Season: Suitable throughout the year

Description

This Garlic Butter Salmon is the kind of meal you make when you want something fast, easy, and crazy good. The salmon comes out juicy with crispy edges, and the garlic butter sauce is sweet, savory, and buttery all at once. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or when you just want something that tastes a little special without the stress.

Ingredients

For the salmon:

4 pieces Salmon fillets (Skin on)
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Black pepper
2 tbsp Vegetable oil

For the sauce:

2 tbsp Butter
2 tbsp Garlic (Minced)
4 tbsp Soy sauce
4 tbsp Sweet chili sauce
4 tbsp Water

For garnishing:

2 stalks Green onion (Chopped)
2 tbsp Cilantro (Chopped)

Instructions

1
Season the salmon
- Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels.
- Sprinkle both sides with salt and black pepper.
2
Cook the salmon
- Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Place the salmon skin-side down in the pan.
- Cook for about 4–5 minutes, until the skin is crispy and the sides look golden.
- Flip the salmon and cook for another 2–3 minutes, until the salmon is cooked through but still juicy.
- Remove the salmon from the pan and set it aside.
3
Make the garlic butter sauce
- Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the same pan and let it melt over medium heat.
- Add 2 tablespoons of minced garlic and stir for 30 seconds, just until the garlic smells fragrant.
- Pour in 4 tablespoons of soy sauce, 4 tablespoons of sweet chili sauce, and 4 tablespoons of water. Stir everything together.
- Let the sauce simmer for about 1 minute, until it slightly thickens and turns glossy.
4
Assemble and garnish
- Pour the garlic butter sauce all over the cooked salmon.
- Sprinkle chopped green onion and cilantro on top before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

Amount Per Serving
Calories 350kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 22g34%
Saturated Fat 6g30%
Cholesterol 75mg25%
Sodium 650mg28%
Potassium 600mg18%
Total Carbohydrate 8g3%
Sugars 5g
Protein 30g60%

Vitamin A 300 IU
Vitamin C 3 mg
Calcium 20 mg
Iron 0.8 mg
Vitamin D 450 IU
Vitamin E 2 IU

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

This garlic butter salmon tastes amazing with steamed white rice. The rice soaks up all that buttery sauce and makes every bite even better.
You can also serve it with a simple green salad for something lighter and fresher.
Roasted veggies like broccoli, asparagus, or green beans are perfect if you want a cozy, filling meal.
If you’re feeling fancy, try it with garlic mashed potatoes or a quinoa bowl. It works with pretty much anything.

Keywords: garlic butter salmon, easy salmon recipe, salmon with garlic butter sauce, pan-fried salmon, quick salmon dinner, weeknight salmon recipe

Read it online: https://amazingbiteswithallie.com/recipe/15-minute-garlic-butter-salmon-recipe/

Allie

Vietnamese girl who loves food a little too much

I'm Allie! I was born in Vietnam and now living in the USA — still eating, still cooking, and loving every second of it. I started cooking when I was 10 after getting totally obsessed with cooking shows (shoutout to my childhood self). Now I’m here to share easy, tasty recipes that make your life better — and your plate happier.