Pan-Seared Salmon in Creamy Lemon Sauce

By Rena Awada | Updated On July 9, 2021

Skinless Salmon filets pan-seared to perfection in a creamy lemon sauce that’s so tasty, easy to make, and filled with flavor. Makes for a perfect low carb salmon recipe for a quick dinner option.

top view salmon filets in a creamy lemon sauce


We have loads of salmon recipes but this pan-seared salmon made in a creamy lemon garlic sauce is one of our favorite! It is easy to put together and can be ready in just under 30 minutes. Perfectly healthy, low in carbs for those on a keto-diet, and loaded with nutrition. The creamy lemon sauce is made with fresh dill, garlic, lemon, and mascarpone. The salmon filets come out tender, juicy, and so delicious. Serve this easy and healthy pan-seared salmon recipe with noodles (or zucchini noodles to keep it low carb), quinoa, brown rice, or roasted veggies.

Why you will love this salmon dinner recipe

  • Healthy: This pan-seared salmon is healthy and good for you. Loaded with omega-3 and other nutritients. A low carb meal thats keto-friendly too!
  • Delicious: If you love lemony and garlicy sauces, you will love this salmon in our delicious lemon garlic sauce. Its so tasty and bursting with flavor.
  • Easy to make: Between prep-time and cook-time, this salmon recipe will be ready and on yoru dinner table in 30 minutes. No baking needed!
side shot of salmon filets in a creamy lemon sauce topped with slices of roasted lemons

Ingredients and substitues

  • Oil: we used olive oil but you may use any other oil of choice
  • Seasonings: You will only need salt and pepper. Other seasnings like dried oregano or Italian seasoning may also be used.
  • Salmon: Use fresh salmon if possible. Get skinless salmon if you can find some, otherwise you may remove the skin yoruself.
  • Garlic: we recommemd you use fresh garlic. But if in a pinch you can use garlic powder. Sub the fresh garlic with 1 tablespoon of garlic powder. The flavor will vary.
  • Lemons: this gives it a zesty lemony flavor. You may add in the zest of the whole lemon as well. Dont have lemons, use lime. If you dont have fresh lime or lemons you may used bottled lemon juice but the flavor changes slightly.
  • Mascarpone: We love how creamy in texture and taste mascarpone is. But you can substitute it with any other creamy cheese. Go with your traditional cream cheese or Creme fraiche.
  • Dill: Fresh dill is prefered for the best flavor but can be substituted with dried dill.
ingredients to make salmon in a creamy sauce

How to make pan-seared salmon

  • Zest about ½ of a lemon. Cut the lemons in half and juice 3 of the halves. Slice the remaining half.
  • Cook the salmon: Heat the oil in an oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the salmon and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Set aside on a plate.
pan seared salmon on pan
  • Make the creamy sauce: To the same skillet cook the garlic for 30 seconds, over medium heat. Add in the mascarpone together with the lemon zest and juice. Stir in the fresh dill and 2-3 tbsp of water to thin the sauce a bit.
  • Add the salmon in the sauce: Return the salmon back into the pan and top with lemon slices.
  • Boil for 4-6 mins until the salmon is cooked through and flaky and the sauce is bubbly.
salmon filet in lemon sauce
side shot of salmon in creamy sauce

What to serve with pan-seared salmon

top view salmon in a creamy sauce in an orange pan

Frequently asked questions

What side of the salmon do you sear first?

If you are cooking salmon with the skin on, cook with the skin down on the pan first for 3-4 minutes until the skin is crispy. In the case of our pan-seared salmon recipe, we used skinless salmon filets.

How do you know when pan-seared salmon is done cooking?

One way is to use a fork and try to flake it. Press down on the salmon with fork and see if it flakes easily its is cooked and ready.

Can you overcook the salmon?

Yes. Salmon can easily be overcooked. It does not take long for the salmon to cook. Perfectly cooked salmon will flake easily and come out tender and juicy. Overcooking the salmon will result in a dry and rubbery salmon.

image of salmon in lemon sauce

Other salmon recipes to checkout

side shot of salmon filets in creamy sauce

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top view salmon filets in a creamy lemon sauce

Pan-Seared Salmon in a Creamy Lemon Sauce

Salmon fillets are pan-seared to perfection in a tangy lemon garlic sauce. Easy to make, low carb, and ready in just 30 minutes.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 417kcal
Author: Rena

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Kosher salt and ground pepper to taste
  • 4 salmon fillets skin removed
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 lemons
  • 1/2 cup mascarpone
  • 2-3 tbsp water to thin
  • 1 tbsp fresh dill minced

Instructions

  • Zest about ½ of a lemon. Cut the lemons in half and juice 3 of the halves. Slice the remaining half.
  • Heat the oil in an oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add the salmon and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Set aside on a plate.
  • To the same skillet cook the garlic for 30 seconds, over medium heat.
  • Add in the mascarpone together with the lemon zest and juice. Stir in the fresh dill and 2-3 tbsp of water to thin the sauce a bit.
  • Return the salmon back into the pan and top with lemon slices.
  • Cook for 4-6 mins until the salmon is cooked through and flaky and the sauce is bubbly.

Notes

Substitutes:
  • mascarpone can be substituted with any other creamy cheese of choice
  • Use fresh dill and fresh garlic for the best flavor
  • It is best to use skinless salmon but if your prefer skin on salmon thats fine as well.
Storage:
Place leftovers in a container and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave when ready to eat. 
Nutritional facts:
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is calculated using a nutrition facts calculator. It is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on the products used.

Nutrition

Serving: 1salmon filet | Calories: 417kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 122mg | Sodium: 165mg | Potassium: 914mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 481IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 2mg
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Chesbrough Lawing Roberts says

    These look amazing! I am trying to train for a fitness model competition but need meals to feed my teens and husband. They will have to suffer with me but can you make suggestions to help me modify these recipes for myself if I am trying to be restrictive with dairy and fats? Thanks in advance!

    • Rena says

      Hi. I am not really sure. Everyone’s dietary needs are different. It will be hard for me to do so. Just substitute the ingredients you can have for something that is “ok”. Let me know if you have any specific questions regarding a particular ingredient.

  2. Jess says

    5 stars
    I’m not a chef so I love how easy this recipe is. I made it with fat free cream cheese instead of mascarpone (because I already had it in the fridge) and it worked great. Served with broccoli for a healthy meal and took a second portion to work the next day and it reheated great.

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