Quick One-Pan Keto Lemon Garlic Salmon

This quick one-pan keto lemon garlic salmon delivers rich, buttery salmon with a bright lemon kick and savory garlic flavor while keeping carbs extremely low. Salmon fillets are simply seasoned, pan-seared to form a restaurant-quality crust, then simmered in a lemon-garlic butter pan sauce for a tender, juicy center. Everything cooks in one skillet for fast prep and easy cleanup, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want a satisfying keto dinner with minimal effort. Serve with cauliflower rice, roasted broccoli, or a simple spinach salad to keep the entire meal keto-friendly and under 10g net carbs per serving.

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword keto salmon, lemon garlic salmon, low carb dinner, one-pan salmon, quick keto recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 12

Total Time 22

Servings servings

Calories 360kcal

Equipment

large skillet
fish spatula
Cutting board
Chef's knife
measuring spoons

Ingredients

For the salmon

1 1/2 pounds salmon fillets, skin-on cut into 4 pieces, wild-caught if possible
1 teaspoon fine sea salt or to taste
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil, for searing

For the lemon garlic butter sauce

3 tablespoons unsalted butter or ghee for dairy-free
3 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice from about 1/2 lemon
4 slices lemon optional, for garnish and extra flavor
1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Remove the salmon from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.
Pat the salmon fillets dry thoroughly on both sides with paper towels, then season all over with the salt and black pepper.
Heat a large heavy skillet over medium high heat and add the olive oil, swirling to coat the bottom of the pan.
Place the salmon fillets in the hot skillet skin side down and cook without moving until the skin is crisp and the edges look opaque, about 4 to 5 minutes depending on thickness.
Carefully flip the salmon and cook on the second side until just cooked through and the center is barely opaque and flakes easily with a fork, about 3 to 4 minutes more.
Reduce the heat to low, push the salmon to one side of the pan, and add the butter to the empty side of the skillet to melt.
Stir the minced garlic into the melted butter and cook, stirring constantly, just until fragrant and lightly sizzling without browning, about 30 seconds.
Stir the lemon juice into the garlic butter, then tilt the pan and spoon the lemon garlic butter over the tops of the salmon fillets several times to coat.
If using, tuck the lemon slices into the pan around the salmon for a minute to warm and release some of their juices into the sauce.
Transfer the salmon to plates, spoon more of the lemon garlic butter from the pan over each piece, garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and serve immediately with keto friendly sides.

Notes

To keep the meal strictly keto, pair this lemon garlic salmon with low carb sides such as cauliflower rice, roasted broccoli, sautéed spinach, or a simple green salad. Leftover salmon can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and is delicious served cold over salad or gently reheated over low heat with a bit of extra butter. Adjust the level of garlic and lemon to your taste, and avoid adding any sweeteners or high carb sauces to keep the carbs low. For extra crisp skin, make sure the pan and oil are hot before adding the salmon and resist moving the fillets while they sear.

Nutrition