Crispy Salmon with Herb Butter

Elevate your dinner game with our Crispy Salmon with Herb Butter. This dish combines perfectly cooked salmon’s rich, flaky texture with a fragrant herb butter and a medley of colorful vegetables. It’s a restaurant-quality meal you can easily prepare in your own kitchen, impressing your family or dinner guests with its elegant presentation and mouthwatering flavors.

Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a cooking novice, this recipe is designed to help you achieve that coveted crispy salmon skin while keeping the flesh tender and moist. Paired with seasonal vegetables and brightened with a squeeze of lemon, it’s a balanced, nutritious meal that doesn’t compromise on taste. Get ready to make salmon the star of your dinner table!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Achieves the perfect crispy skin on salmon
• Herb butter adds a luxurious touch
• One-pan meal for easy cleanup
• Packed with nutritious vegetables
• Quick and easy, ready in under 30 minutes

What Makes Salmon Crispy?

The key to crispy salmon skin is a combination of factors: a dry surface, high heat, and the right amount of fat. Patting the salmon dry before cooking removes excess moisture, allowing the skin to crisp up. Cooking the salmon in a hot pan with a bit of oil and butter creates that perfect golden-brown, crispy exterior while keeping the inside moist and flaky.

Ingredients

• Wild-caught salmon fillets: The star of the dish, rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
• Unsalted butter: Forms the base of our herb butter and helps crisp the salmon skin.
• Dried oregano and thyme: Classic herbs that complement the salmon beautifully.
• Garlic powder: Adds depth of flavor to both the salmon and the herb butter.
• Olive oil: Used for cooking the salmon and vegetables.
• Zucchini and yellow squash: Provide color, texture, and nutritional value.
• Cherry or grape tomatoes: Add a burst of acidity and freshness.
• Lemon: Brightens all the flavors and cuts through the richness of the salmon.
• Fresh parsley: Adds a pop of color and fresh flavor as a garnish.

Grab the full ingredients details and instructions in the recipe card below!

Substitutions and Additions

• Dried dill can replace oregano for a different flavor profile.
• Ghee can be used instead of butter for a dairy-free option.
• Asparagus or green beans can substitute for zucchini or squash.
• Capers can be added for an extra tangy, briny flavor.

Instructions

• Prepare herb butter
• Cook salmon skin-side down until crispy, then flip
• Remove salmon and cook vegetables in the same pan
• Return salmon to pan, top with herb butter and lemon juice
• Garnish with parsley and serve

Recipe Tips

• Pat salmon dry thoroughly for the crispiest skin
• Let salmon come to room temperature before cooking for even cooking
• Don’t move the salmon for the first few minutes of cooking to allow the skin to crisp
• Use a fish spatula for easier flipping
• Adjust cooking time based on the thickness of your salmon fillets

Serving Suggestions

This Crispy Salmon with Herb Butter is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. Try it with our Instant Pot parsley potatoes or Quinoa Pilaf for a heartier meal. For a light, refreshing accompaniment, serve it alongside some Cucumber Dill Salad.

Storage & Reheating

While this dish is best enjoyed fresh, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

To reheat, place the salmon and vegetables in a preheated 275°F oven for about 15 minutes, or until warmed through. Avoid microwaving as it can make the salmon rubbery and the skin soggy.

For best results, consider enjoying any leftover salmon cold in a salad to maintain its texture.

Recipe FAQ

Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe? Yes, but make sure to thaw it completely and pat it very dry before cooking to achieve crispy skin.

What’s the best way to know when salmon is cooked through? The salmon should flake easily with a fork and reach an internal temperature of 145°F at its thickest part.

Can I make this dish ahead of time? This dish is best served fresh, but you can prepare the herb butter in advance and store it in the refrigerator.

What if I don’t have a non-stick skillet? A well-seasoned cast iron skillet works great for achieving crispy salmon skin. Just make sure it’s very hot before adding the salmon.

Can I use skinless salmon fillets? Yes, but you’ll miss out on the crispy skin. The cooking time may also be slightly shorter.

Yield: 4 portions

Crispy Salmon with Herb Butter

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Elevate your dinner game with our Crispy Salmon with Herb Butter. This dish combines the rich, flaky texture of perfectly cooked salmon with a fragrant herb butter and a medley of colorful vegetables.

Print

Ingredients

• 6 T. unsalted butter, divided and room temperature
• ½ t. dried oregano
• ½ t. dried thyme
• 1 t. garlic powder, divided
• 2 T. extra virgin olive oil, divided
• 4 4-oz. wild-caught salmon fillets, skin on
• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small zucchini (or ½ large), sliced thin and cut into half rounds
• 1 small yellow squash (or ½ large), sliced thin and cut into half rounds
• 1 c. cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 large lemon, cut into wedges for squeezing
• 2 T. fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Prepare herb butter
2. Cook salmon skin-side down until crispy, then flip
3. Remove salmon and cook vegetables in the same pan
4. Return salmon to pan, top with herb butter and lemon juice
5. Garnish with parsley and serve

Notes

Pat salmon dry thoroughly for the crispiest skin

Let salmon come to room temperature before cooking for even cooking

Don't move the salmon for the first few minutes of cooking to allow the skin to crisp

Use a fish spatula for easier flipping

Adjust cooking time based on the thickness of your salmon fillets

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 496Total Fat: 38gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 21gCholesterol: 117mgSodium: 149mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 3gSugar: 7gProtein: 27g