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Easy 5-Ingredient Salmon

This easy salmon recipe is a delicious way to prepare fresh fillets using just a few ingredients from your pantry.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine nordic
Servings 4 people
Calories 1664 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Small Mixing Bowl For seasoning mixture
  • 1 Large Skillet Preferably cast iron or heavy-bottomed for even cooking
  • 1 Spatula or Tongs For flipping salmon
  • 1 Measuring Spoons For accurately measuring seasonings
  • 1 Cutting Board and Knife For preparing lemon wedges

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 4 6 ounce fillets salmon
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 4 lemon wedges

Instructions
 

  • Gather all ingredients. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Stir garlic powder, basil, and salt together in a small bowl. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Rub the mixture evenly over salmon. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add salmon and cook until browned and flaky, about 5 minutes per side. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Serve salmon with lemon wedges. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Notes

To elevate this simple dish, consider using fresh garlic, finely minced, and fresh basil, chiffonaded, for a brighter, more vibrant flavor profile. Patting the salmon fillets thoroughly dry before seasoning is crucial for achieving a beautifully crispy skin. Ensure your skillet is adequately heated before adding the butter to prevent it from burning, and then maintain a medium heat for even cooking. Overcooking salmon is a common pitfall; it dries out quickly. Cook until just flaky and opaque, ideally reaching an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). A final squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the cooked salmon will brighten the flavors considerably.