This Keto Salmon Recipe is perfectly seasoned pan seared filets smothered in an unbelievably delicious creamy lemon garlic sauce. Feel Top Chef worthy while preparing this less than 30 minute, low carb gourmet dinner recipe in the comfort of your own kitchen.
I’m all about keeping things simple! So when I came up with this delicious Keto Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon, I just had to share it!
What’s so great is that this gourmet meal is ready in less than 30 minutes! I know, right?!
Perfectly seared salmon filets smothered with a creamy lemon garlic sauce…use frozen salmon filets for an even more economical approach.
Let me show you how!
WHAT MAKES THIS SALMON RECIPE KETO?
For starters, salmon is full of healthy fats.
A 3 ounce portion is 177 calories, 11g fat, and zero carbs.
Combine that with our delicious cream sauce that is purely cream, lemon juice, garlic, and parsley. That is definitely the recipe for a low carb, high fat dinner.
HOW TO COOK FROZEN SALMON FILETS
I love to use frozen salmon anytime I want to make a keto salmon recipe. Frozen salmon is economical and it is frozen as soon as it is caught, so most times, it is better than fresh!
Defrosting salmon is super easy and can be done in less than an hour.
If your frozen salmon come wrapped in plastic, simply fill a bowl or the sink with cold water and submerge the salmon. Check it after 30 minutes and see how it is progressing.
Once they are thawed, remove them from the plastic and pat dry with towels.
Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
SKIN ON OR OFF FOR THIS KETO SALMON RECIPE?
I can never find skinless salmon in the grocery store…probably because it is a pain to remove the skin while the salmon is raw.
I like to cook the salmon with the skin on and then the skin just peels right off like magic! This is what I do in my recipe for Lemon pepper salmon, Salmon in foil and Salmon and avocado salsa.
NOW LETS GET TO COOKING THIS ONE PAN SALMON RECIPE
Let’s start by heating the oil in a cast iron skillet over medium high heat.
If you don’t have cast iron, that’s fine, too. Use what you have.
Add in the salmon filets skin side up. Cook until the salmon is browned and the fish easily releases from the pan.
Don’t try to turn them too early or they will stick!
Flip to the other side (skin side if your salmon has skin) and cook until the salmon skin is crispy and releases from the pan.
Remove the salmon from the pan and set aside.
HOW DO I KNOW WHEN MY SALMON IS DONE?
You know when your salmon is done by seeing if it flakes easily with a fork.
If the salmon is starting to ooze white liquid on top (this is the proteins boiling out), it is overcooking and you remove it from the pan.
You can also use a meat thermometer. My preferred temperature is 130F
Now it’s time to make the creamy lemon garlic sauce for this keto salmon recipe!
Turn the heat of the skillet down to medium and whisk together the heavy cream, garlic, parsley and lemon juice. let it simmer for a few minutes to thicken.
Now you can add the salmon back to the pan if desired.
If you want to keep your crispy skin, serve the salmon with the sauce on the side so your salmon skin doesn’t go soft in the sauce.
Now be prepared to be blown away from all the flavor!
Some other noteworthy keto friendly seafood dinner recipes:
- Keto Crab Cakes with Smoky Remoulade– Melt in your mouth, crispy, keto friendly crab cakes.
- Lemon Pepper Baked Salmon– Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner and make extras for leftovers the next day.
- Keto Shrimp and Cheesy Grits– This is the cheesy buttery flavor we love from the traditional southern shrimp and grits recipe without all the carbs!
Did you make this keto salmon recipe? Tag me on Instagram so I can see! @lowcarbwithjennifer
Keto Creamy Lemon Garlic Salmon
INGREDIENTS
- 4 4 Ounce Salmon filets (skin on or skinless)
- kosher salt and pepper
- 2 Tablespoons avocado oil (Click here for my favorite brand on Amazon)
- 1 ¼ Cup Heavy cream
- 2 Tablespoons Lemon juice
- 3 Cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tablespoons freshly chopped parsley
EQUIPMENT
- Cast Iron Skillet
INSTRUCTIONS
- Heat the oil in a cast iron skillet over medium high heat.
- Add in the salmon filets skin side up. Cook until the salmon is browned and the fish easily releases from the pan. Try not to flip early or the salmon will stick.
- Flip to the other side (skin side if your salmon has skin) and cook until the salmon skin is crispy and releases from the pan.
- Remove the salmon from the pan and set aside.
- Turn the heat of the skillet down to medium and whisk together the heavy cream, garlic, parsley and lemon juice. Let simmer for a few minutes to thicken.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the salmon with cream sauce.
JENNIFER'S TIPS
- DEFROST FROZEN SALMON: If your frozen salmon come wrapped in plastic, simply fill a bowl or the sink with cold water and submerge the salmon. Check it after 30 minutes and see how it is progressing. Once they are thawed, remove them from the plastic and pat dry with towels.
- WHEN IS THE SALMON DONE: check with a meat thermometer probe. 130F is my desired internal temperature for salmon that isn't dried out and over cooked. White juices oozing out of the salmon means it is overcooked.
- SKIN ON OR SKINLESS: I buy skin on salmon because it is easier to find. When the salmon is cooked, the salmon skin peels off very easily. You can also eat the crispy skin!
Carol says
Omg! This is delicious!!!! I didn’t have any parsley but I can’t imagine it being any better than it was.
Barb says
Made this tonight and the cream sauce makes this complete! Served with broccoli and put sauce on the broccoli, as well!!!
Angela says
First of all, your recipes look absolutely delicious! I’m new to this whole keto thing and it’s been overwhelming trying to figure out where to begin but I am so glad I found your page. Where I live the only place I can find salmon is Walmart. I was wondering if you have ever bought fish from Walmart and if it’s safe to eat?
Linda says
I made this yesterday. It was very good. The one thing I would do differently next time is to drain the oil before adding in the heavy cream because it separated.
J says
This was great! I seared the salmon and then broiled it because I tend to burn things on the stove 😛 The sauce literally took seconds to make, and my non-keto kids gobbled it up, too. What a winner!
Marina says
It was delicious, my husband loved it. I used Salmon and Cod.
Kari says
Delicious! I added a little red pepper flakes and topped with a little Parmesan. Served with broccoli topped with the remaining sauce. Going to do asparagus next time. Thanks for fantastic recipe!
Dawn Marie says
Excellent! Made for dinner tonight and even though I’m not a huge salmon lover…..the flavors from the cream sauce made my mouth sing! My husband and mom enjoyed it also. Will definitely make it again.
Can you use the sauce recipe with other protein?
Marie Anne says
I usually don’t care for salmon. But this recipe is awesome. Loved it. I will be making it again
VaFarmer says
Awsome recipe, didn’t even notice it was keto while I was eating it!! Made this several times already.
Heather says
Made it. Loved it and will make it again! The sauce was to die for and was such a great compliment to the salmon. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Sunny says
Great tasting salmon. I will be sure to make again!!! Thank you for the recipe.
Lynn says
Enjoyed this recipe! Will make again!!
Joman says
Amazing, I added cream cheese and peruvian yellow pepper paste for a spicy kick. Came out so good. I paired it with an avocado, onions and lettuce salad.
Thanks for the recipe!
Laura says
This is one of the best dishes I’ve ever made…maybe even one of the best things I’ve ever tasted. I sautéed green peppers and red onion and then poured the cream sauce over everything and sprinkled the dish with some chopped almonds. Thank you for sharing. Standing ovation over here.
Luz says
Looks delicious! Are the nutrition facts for the 4 servings?
jenniferbanz says
Nutrition is for 1 serving
Sabe says
This was absolutely delicious. Thank you. Loved the tip about the white juices, I learnt something there.
Bron says
Loved this recipe ! Simple and easy ,and so tasty ! Definitely one I’ll cook again , thanks Jennifer ?
Amber says
Yum. I am always looking for quick salmon recipes. We have been trying to eat fish once a week and need to switch things up a little. Love that this recipe only calls for a few basic ingredients also!
georgie says
Oh my gosh this looks absolutely amazing. Definitely adding this to my recipe collection I am always on the lookout for keto recipes to try.
Michelle says
Loved that sauce! It’s just the right combination of lemon and garlic and perfectly creamy. Definitely a keeper, thanks for sharing x
jenniferbanz says
So happy to hear that!
Hope Wilson says
Hi!
Where does the 6 g of carbs come from? Lemon juice? What oil can I substitute for avocado oil!
jenniferbanz says
Yes…lemon juice and the cream. You could use any oil you want. I like to use avocado oil because it has a high smoke point. Some other oils with a high smoke point are ghee, coconut oil, or duck fat.
Veena Azmanov says
Delicious, creamy and Salmon is one of my favorite. This is surely a happy meal for me and family. They loved it all.