Indulge in the delightful flavors of grilled salmon paired with a luscious lemon butter sauce. This dish is perfect for a summer evening or any occasion where you want to impress with minimal effort. The salmon is cooked to perfection, offering a tender and flaky texture, while the lemon butter sauce adds a zesty and rich complement. It's a simple yet elegant recipe that brings out the best in fresh ingredients.
When preparing this recipe, you might find that freshly squeezed lemon juice and unsalted butter are not always staples in every kitchen. If you're heading to the supermarket, ensure you pick up these items, as they are crucial for creating the rich and tangy lemon butter sauce. Additionally, fresh parsley adds a burst of color and freshness, so don't forget to grab a bunch from the produce section.
Ingredients For Grilled Salmon With Lemon Butter Sauce
Salmon: A rich and flavorful fish that is perfect for grilling, offering a tender and flaky texture.
Olive oil: Used to brush the salmon, helping to prevent sticking and adding a subtle flavor.
Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the salmon.
Pepper: Adds a hint of spice and depth to the seasoning.
Unsalted butter: Forms the base of the sauce, providing a rich and creamy texture.
Freshly squeezed lemon juice: Adds a bright and tangy flavor to the sauce, balancing the richness of the butter.
Garlic: Infuses the sauce with a fragrant and savory aroma.
Parsley: Offers a fresh and vibrant garnish, enhancing both the flavor and presentation.
Technique Tip for Perfecting This Dish
To ensure your salmon remains juicy and flavorful, make sure to let it come to room temperature before grilling. This helps the fish cook more evenly. Additionally, when brushing with olive oil, be generous to prevent sticking and enhance the flavor. For the lemon butter sauce, use freshly squeezed lemon juice for a bright, zesty kick that complements the richness of the butter. When grilling, avoid flipping the salmon too often; let it develop a nice crust before turning it over.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
salmon - Substitute with trout: Trout has a similar texture and flavor profile, making it a suitable alternative for grilled salmon.
salmon - Substitute with arctic char: Arctic char is closely related to salmon and offers a comparable taste and richness.
olive oil - Substitute with grapeseed oil: Grapeseed oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it ideal for grilling.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil is rich in healthy fats and has a mild flavor, suitable for grilling fish.
unsalted butter - Substitute with ghee: Ghee has a rich, buttery flavor and can be used in place of butter for a similar taste.
unsalted butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil provides a unique flavor and works well in a lemon butter sauce.
lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice offers a similar acidity and citrus flavor, making it a good alternative.
lemon juice - Substitute with white wine vinegar: White wine vinegar provides acidity and a subtle fruity note, suitable for the sauce.
garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder, sweet flavor that can complement the dish well.
garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used if fresh garlic is unavailable, providing a similar taste.
parsley - Substitute with cilantro: Cilantro adds a fresh, herbal note and can be used in place of parsley.
parsley - Substitute with basil: Basil offers a sweet, aromatic flavor that can enhance the dish similarly to parsley.
Alternative Recipes Similar to This Salmon Dish
How to Store or Freeze This Salmon Dish
Allow the grilled salmon to cool to room temperature before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the fish soggy.
Place the salmon fillets in an airtight container. If you have multiple fillets, separate them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Store the lemon butter sauce separately in a small airtight container. This keeps the flavors fresh and allows you to reheat the sauce without overcooking the fish.
Refrigerate the salmon and sauce for up to 3 days. For optimal taste, consume within this timeframe.
To freeze, wrap each salmon fillet tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
Label the bag with the date to keep track of freshness. The salmon can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Freeze the lemon butter sauce in an ice cube tray. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe bag. This allows you to thaw only what you need.
When ready to enjoy, thaw the salmon overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat gently in a preheated oven at 275°F (135°C) until warmed through.
For the lemon butter sauce, melt the frozen cubes in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until smooth.
Drizzle the reheated lemon butter sauce over the warmed grilled salmon before serving to recapture that freshly cooked flavor.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C). Place the grilled salmon on a baking dish and cover it with foil to prevent it from drying out. Heat for about 15 minutes or until the salmon is warmed through. For an extra touch, drizzle a little more lemon butter sauce over the top before serving.
Stovetop Method: Heat a non-stick skillet over low heat. Add a splash of olive oil or a small pat of butter to the pan. Place the salmon fillets in the skillet and cover with a lid. Gently reheat for about 5 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the salmon is heated evenly. This method helps retain moisture and flavor.
Microwave Method: Place the salmon on a microwave-safe plate and cover it with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to trap moisture. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking frequently to avoid overcooking. Add a spoonful of the lemon butter sauce after reheating to refresh the flavors.
Steam Method: Fill a pot with a small amount of water and bring it to a simmer. Place the salmon on a heatproof plate or in a steamer basket above the simmering water. Cover and steam for about 5 minutes. This gentle method helps maintain the salmon's tenderness and juiciness.
Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 300°F (150°C). Place the salmon fillets in the basket and heat for about 4-5 minutes. This method is quick and helps to slightly crisp up the edges while keeping the inside moist.
Essential Tools for Preparing This Recipe
Grill: Used to cook the salmon fillets, providing a smoky flavor and grill marks.
Brush: Utilized to apply olive oil evenly on the salmon fillets for seasoning.
Small saucepan: Necessary for melting butter and preparing the lemon butter sauce.
Fork: Helps to check the doneness of the salmon by testing if it flakes easily.
Knife: Used for mincing the garlic and chopping the parsley.
Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for chopping parsley and mincing garlic.
Measuring spoons: Ensures accurate measurement of olive oil, lemon juice, and other ingredients.
Measuring cup: Used to measure the butter accurately.
Tongs: Handy for flipping the salmon fillets on the grill safely.
Spoon: Useful for stirring the lemon butter sauce and drizzling it over the salmon.
Time-Saving Tips for This Recipe
Preheat efficiently: Start by preheating your grill while you prepare the salmon to save time.
Use a microwave: Melt the butter in the microwave instead of a saucepan to speed up the process.
Batch seasoning: Season all salmon fillets at once to streamline preparation.
Prep ingredients: Mince the garlic and chop the parsley ahead of time for quick assembly.
Multitask: While the salmon grills, prepare the lemon butter sauce simultaneously to maximize efficiency.
Grilled Salmon with Lemon Butter Sauce
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 fillets Salmon about 6 oz each
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil
- to taste Salt and pepper
Lemon Butter Sauce
- ¼ cup Butter unsalted
- 2 tablespoon Lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 clove Garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon Parsley chopped
Instructions
- 1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- 2. Brush the salmon fillets with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- 3. Grill the salmon for about 6-7 minutes on each side, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
- 4. While the salmon is grilling, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- 5. Add the lemon juice and minced garlic to the melted butter. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- 6. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the chopped parsley.
- 7. Drizzle the lemon butter sauce over the grilled salmon before serving.
Nutritional Value
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