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Grilled salmon fillet with zesty lemon butter sauce on a plate

Grilled Salmon with Lemon Butter Sauce

A simple and cozy grilled salmon dish with bright lemon and rich butter, perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion.
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Prep Time 8 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Seafood
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the salmon
  • 2 fillets salmon fillets (skin-on) Skin-on keeps fillets moist.
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter Unsalted helps control salt.
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced Fresh garlic = bigger flavor.
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice Use fresh lemon for bright flavor.
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • optional fresh thyme or dill

Method
 

Preparation and Grilling
  1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (375–425°F).
  2. Rub each salmon fillet with olive oil, then sprinkle salt, black pepper, and paprika evenly; press lightly.
  3. Place the salmon on the grill skin-side down; grill for about 6 minutes until the edges turn opaque.
  4. Carefully flip the fillets and grill another 6 minutes or until the fish flakes easily and reaches 125–130°F for medium.
Making the Lemon Butter Sauce
  1. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until foamy.
  2. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant (about 1 minute), without browning.
  3. Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, and chopped parsley; cook for one more minute while the sauce thickens slightly.
Serving
  1. Move salmon to a plate and spoon the lemon butter sauce over the warm fillets; serve immediately.

Notes

Prep garlic and zest while the grill heats up. If flipping the salmon, wait until it releases easily to avoid tearing the skin. For variation, swap smoked paprika for cumin.