Savory Salmon Recipe (with Herb Butter)

This amazing Savory Salmon Recipe with herb butter seasoned and then pan seared to crispy perfection. With just a handful of simple ingredients, you can have a healthy, hearty and delicious meal on the table in under 30 minutes, making this an ideal option for busy weeknights. 

Crispy Savory Salmon

Mouth-watering salmon fillets and seasonal vegetables are cooked in a savory herb butter until the outside of the fish is golden brown, the inside is moist and flakey, and the veggies are nice and tender! This super easy salmon dinner is one of those recipes that takes very little effort, but the finished dish could revival any fancy restaurant. Whether you need a last minute easy weeknight dinner or you’re serving guest at a dinner party, this savory salmon recipe will get rave reviews every single time!

One of the beautiful things about most any fish recipe is just how quickly it cooks. This Pistachio Crusted Salmon and this Pan Seared Grouper are two healthy fish recipes that I keep on regular meal rotation at my house. Both are easy recipes and are loaded with incredible flavors everyone will flip over.

Why We Love This Recipe

• It’s a super satisfying meal that is super easy using simple ingredients that takes very little prep time.
• The addition of yellow squash and zucchini make it a delicious meal in one you can have on the dinner table in 25 minutes or less.
• Seasoned with family friendly ingredients it’s a great dish the whole family will enjoy, even the kids!

Recommended Tools

• Heavy duty skillet
• Sharp kitchen knife
• Small bowl
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons

Crispy Salmon Variations and Add-ins

• Spices and Herbs: This recipe uses a classic blend of Italian herbs to season the salmon, but feel free to experiment with any of your favorite herbs and spices. If you like a little heat, red pepper flakes or a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper is always a good option. If you’re feeding little ones, you may prefer something milder. Lemon pepper seasoned salmon is always a hit, and it goes great with the other herbs and the butter.

• Veggies: Add any fresh veggies of the season. Asparagus tips, mushrooms, brussels sprouts and of course thinly sliced onions make a popular pairing.

• Toppings: Instead of or in addition to the parsley, finely chopped green onions, sesame seeds or fresh lemon zest works great for a topping.

• Sauce: This recipe uses the pan juices from the garlic herb butter as a sauce. But feel free to add other ingredients to kick those flavors up a notch. Add a dash or two of hot sauce or Worcestershire sauce to the pan juices to create a whole other layer of flavor.

What’s Needed for this Easy Salmon Recipe

• Unsalted butter-room temperature
• Dried oregano
• Dried thyme
• Garlic powder, divided
• Extra virgin olive oil, divided
• Fresh salmon fillets, skin on (Wild-caught preferably)
• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
• Fresh garlic cloves, minced
• Zucchini- sliced thin and cut into half rounds
• Yellow squash- sliced thin and cut into half rounds
• Cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• Lemon, cut into wedges for squeezing
• Fresh parsley, chopped

How to Make Pan Seared Salmon and Veggies with Herb Butter Sauce

Step One: Prepare the Herb Butter

In a small bowl, combine 4 tablespoons butter, oregano, thyme and half of the garlic powder and stir until combined. Set aside.

Step Two: Cook the Salmon

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter.

Pat the fresh salmon with paper towels to dry and put in the hot skillet skin side down. Sprinkle with the remaining garlic powder and salt and black pepper, to taste.

Cook over medium-high heat until skin is lightly browned and crispy, about 4-5 minutes.

Turn the salmon fillets over to cook on remaining side for another 3-4 minutes or until the salmon is golden brown. The salmon should flake easily with a fork when cooked thoroughly.

Step Three: Cook the Veggies

Transfer salmon to a platter. Add additional olive oil to skillet and turn to medium heat.

Add zucchini, yellow squash, tomatoes and garlic to skillet. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook, stirring occasionally until the vegetables are tender and lightly browned, about 4-5 minutes.

Step Four: Finish and Serve

Transfer salmon back to the skillet and divide herb butter and top each fillet. Add a squeeze of lemon to each piece of salmon.

Garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Serve and enjoy!

Savory Herb Salmon FAQs

How Do I Know When Salmon is Done?

You can usually tell when fish is done because it flakes apart when you prick it with a fork. This method can sometimes lead to overcooking though, so using an instant red thermometer is the best way to gauge doneness. USDA recommends that the internal temperature of the thickest part of the fish filet reads 145 degrees.

Keep in mind that cooking times will vary based on the thickness of your salmon fillet, and there will be some residual cooking when you remove it from the heat. For best results, you may want to remove it from the heat when it reaches 140 degrees and allow it to rest. 

Is Salmon Healthy for You?

Salmon is one of the healthiest and most nutritious foods in the world. It’s a healthy source of protein, is loaded with omega 3 fatty acids and for a one 3-4 ounce serving of salmon, there are only about 200 calories.

Salmon is low in saturated fat and contains several healthy B-vitamins, potassium and other wonderful nutrients like iron and vitamin D. All of these vitamins and nutrients are linked to health benefits that you can read about in this article on Healthline.

What Side Dish Goes with Crispy Salmon?

Another wonderful thing people love about salmon is how versatile it is. It pairs with just about any side dish. From something simple like steamed white or brown rice to green beans you just can go wrong. Here are some tasty side dishes that may give you some inspiration:

• Easy Roasted Asparagus
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze
• Cold Green Bean Salad
• Greek Quinoa Salad
• Broccoli Salad no Mayo

Can I Cook this Salmon Recipe in the Oven?

You sure can! Having said that, part of what makes this salmon recipe so awesome is the crispy outside. Searing in a pan is the very best way to achieve that. But it will still taste amazing regardless of how you cook it.

To cook it in the oven, all you have to do its start by lining a sheet pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Place the seasoned filets skin side down on a prepared baking sheet pan. Arrange the veggies around the fish, careful not to overcrowd them.

Place the sheet pan in the oven for about 10 minutes. Increase the temperature to 450°F and bake for another 5-8 minutes or until flaky when you test it with a fork or when the internal temps reached desired doneness. Salmon bakes best when placed in a single layer so if you are doubling the recipe to feed a lot of people, you’ll want to bake it on separate pans.

Want More Healthy Seafood Recipes?

• Pan Fried Grouper
• Pan Seared Mahi Mahi
• Cajun Pan Seared Snapper
• Orange Glazed Salmon
• Blackened Fish Tacos