This is a quick recipe for pan-seared salmon fillets drizzled with an easy-to-make, garlicky pan sauce. The sauce, made with finely chopped garlic, lime juice, soy sauce and brown sugar is the perfect blend of sweet and savory. Serve along with steamed white rice and stir-fried sugar snap peas for a simple, Asian-inspired dinner.

Salmon Fillets with Garlic-Soy Pan Sauce

This quick and easy recipe for salmon fillets and a tangy pan sauce made with garlic, lime juice, soy sauce and brown sugar is delicious served with steamed white rice and stir-fried sugar snap peas.

Author: Lynne Webb
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

4 (6 ounce) salmon fillets, skin on
1 tablespoon toasted sesame (or vegetable) oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Vegetable oil

For the pan sauce:

2 cloves garlic, very finely chopped
3 tablespoons soy or ponzu sauce
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons freshly-squeezed lime juice
2 tablespoons brown sugar

Instructions

Prepare the sauce by combining the garlic, soy sauce, water, lime juice and brown sugar in a small bowl. Stir until the sugar is dissolved, then set aside.
Arrange the salmon fillets, skin side down on a plate. Drizzle with sesame oil and season with salt and pepper.
Preheat a heavy skillet (nonstick or well-seasoned cast iron) over medium-high heat. Film the bottom with a small amount of oil and add the salmon, skin side down. Cook without moving until the skin is nicely seared and releases easily, 2 to 3 minutes. Carefully turn the fillets with tongs and continue cooking to desired doneness, 2 to 4 minutes additional.
Transfer the salmon to a plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
Keeping the pan over medium-high heat, add the sauce mixture and bring to a rapid simmer. Cook, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens slightly, 2 to 3 minutes.
Note: This will not be a thick, syrupy sauce.
To serve, plate individual servings of salmon and drizzle with pan sauce. Stir-fried sugar snap peas and steamed white rice make perfect accompaniments.

Salmon Fillets with Garlic-Soy Pan Sauce