Delicious Salmon in Lemon Butter Caper Sauce (Salmon Piccata)- Easy, light, and fresh, and it is a 20-minute meal! The Ultimate Lemon Salmon Dinner Recipe!
All the flavors you love in “piccata” (lemon and caper sauce) with a salmon twist! Traditionally, a piccata sauce is served with veal or chicken. You will love this simple sauce with salmon.
Serve with Sautéed Green Beans Recipe (Easy), or Crispy Brussels Sprouts Recipe.
I’ve created a salmon version that soaks up that delicious sauce in a magnificent way. If you want to skip the fish and meat try this version: Ravioli Piccata with Mushroom Asparagus (Easy).
If you love salmon try these recipes: Best Baked Salmon with Pesto Recipe, Easy Baked Honey Orange Sesame Salmon, Smoked Salmon, Mascarpone, and Petite Pea Pasta, and Baked Salmon with Potatoes and Herb Oil Dressing.
Why I love this recipe
BEST Salmon Piccata (Lemon Butter Caper Sauce)- I love salty capers! This buttery lemon sauce is a great way to serve up fresh salmon. It makes a delicious meal that is ready with little time. I make this recipe in one pan and it makes for easy clean-up as well!
Jump to:
- Simple Ingredients
- How to Make Salmon with Lemon Butter Caper Sauce (Piccata)
- Instructions Step by Step with Photos
- Perfect Pan Seared Salmon for Salmon Piccata (Lemon Butter Caper Sauce)
- Lemon Butter Caper Sauce for Salmon
- Tips For Butter Quality
- What is Piccata Sauce?
- Origins of Piccata …
- How to Cook the Perfect Pan-Seared Salmon
- Cooking variations
- Fresh Salmon vs Frozen Salmon
- Wild Salmon vs Farm Fresh Salmon
- Why is Salmon a Superfood?
- Substitutes for Salmon?
- Serving Suggestions
- Storing
- Pan Seared Salmon Picata Sauce
Simple Ingredients
- Salmon fillets
- Kosher salt
- Olive oil
- Shallot
- Garlic
- Chicken or vegetable broth
- Lemon juice and zest
- Capers
- Butter
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
- Optional: lemon slices for serving
How to Make Salmon with Lemon Butter Caper Sauce (Piccata)
- First, pat your salmon dry and season with salt.
- Then, sear the salmon (use the tips above for cooking salmon on a pan).
- Fry on each side until golden and cooked to your liking. We love our salmon just cooked — pink in the middle.
- Next, make your Piccata sauce for salmon in the same pan.
- Add the salmon back to the pan and spoon sauce over the top. Garnish with chopped parsley.
- Minutes later, you are left with a delicious version of Salmon Piccata. A quick and easy meal.
Instructions Step by Step with Photos
Step by Step Instructions for Salmon Piccata: Sear both sides of the salmon in a pan with olive oil. Remove Salmon from the pan and set it aside.
Make the butter, caper, lemon, and garlic sauce in the pan. It will be thin at first and then start to thicken.
When the sauce is thick add salmon back to the pan and spoon sauce over the salmon. Garnish with parsley and serve hot!
Perfect Pan Seared Salmon for Salmon Piccata (Lemon Butter Caper Sauce)
Golden and crisp on top and just barely cooked at the center, this pan-seared salmon is one of my go-to recipes when I crave salmon. Not only is it fast it’s also elegant and perfect to serve for an occasion as well as a dinner at home on a busy night.
Lemon Butter Caper Sauce for Salmon
Once you taste the flavors of this caper sauce you will love the unique taste that the capers bring to the bright and delicious salmon recipe.
If you are making this dish as a family dinner and your kids do not like capers, you can leave them out and simply turn this into a plain lemon sauce.
To brighten up the lemon flavor, you can also add a pinch of grated lemon zest to the sauce.
Tips For Butter Quality
Use High Fat Good Quality Butter. It will make a big difference in the richness of your sauce.
Why is some butter more “rich” or yellow than others? This is all in the fat content and diet of the cow.
The difference in color is primarily due to the higher fat content of butter. Cows that eat grass and flowers store the yellow pigment beta carotene, found naturally in those plants, in their fat.
When you separate out the buttermilk after churning, what remains is mostly butterfat, which is the most yellow of all.
This is where you get the rich flavor and deep color. I love the Kerrygold brand.
There are lots of other good quality high-fat butter varieties. The richer the butter in this recipe the creamier and tastier the sauce!
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What is Piccata Sauce?
Piccata is true to its name, sharp and puckery, but it’s also quick and luxurious.
It’s essentially a warm vinaigrette that you sizzle together in a frying pan: fat (butter), acid (lemon juice and slim half-moons of lemon), biting alliums (minced shallot and garlic), and capers for briny flavor.
Add some crusty bread for swiping and dipping.
Suddenly, you’ve got a full-fledged meal that’ll take you all the way to Italy! I hope you share this Italian recipe with your family and friends soon!
Bread that goes well with this butter lemon caper sauce: Softest No Knead Bread
Origins of Piccata …
Piccata is an Italian word spelled sometimes as piccata or pichotta. The culinary use of the Italian term means “to be pounded flat” referring to the meat.
Piccata originated in Italy where it is traditionally made with veal. In this recipe, I defy Italian tradition and make it with salmon!!
How to Cook the Perfect Pan-Seared Salmon
Cooking salmon on a pan on the stove is easier than you think. If you are afraid your salmon will stick to the pan, again, let me help!
Follow these easy steps for tender salmon with a perfect crust.
Tips for Cooking Salmon in a Pan
- Pat the salmon dry with a paper towel.
- Season the salmon with salt and a few grinds of pepper (if desired). Don’t skimp on the salt!
- Heat the oil in a 12-inch nonstick large skillet over medium-high heat until hot and shimmering. It is very important that your salmon hits the hot oil- this is one reason salmon sticks to the pan from the start.
- Cook the salmon, skin side up, until golden and crisp, about 4 minutes. Resist the urge to touch the fillets as they cook. Letting the fish sear untouched in hot oil creates that lovely, flavorful, golden crust that makes this dish restaurant-worthy.
- Carefully flip the fillets and reduce the heat to medium. Continue cooking until done to your liking, 2 to 5 minutes more.
That's it! You can add any sauce, such as serving this delicious piccata sauce or enjoy this perfectly seared salmon over a salad or even the next day with pasta!
A perfect meal for a special occasion or an easy weeknight meal.
Cooking variations
If you like you can bake the salmon on a baking sheet (or sheet pan) and make the sauce separately. Then, spoon the sauce on top of the salmon.
You can also cook the salmon on your outdoor grill and add the sauce after the salmon is cooked.
Fresh Salmon vs Frozen Salmon
Frozen wild salmon is sometimes considered better than fresh salmon because it's frozen fresh off the boat and then shipped.
The quality of fresh wild salmon starts to deteriorate as soon as it's harvested, but frozen salmon bypasses that part, making it the superior choice.
With frozen salmon, you will want to let it thaw in the fridge. For this recipe, you can use wild or farm fresh salmon.
Wild Salmon vs Farm Fresh Salmon
These days, Atlantic salmon is typically farmed, while Pacific salmon species are primarily wild-caught.
Wild-caught Pacific salmon are typically considered to be the healthiest salmon. For this recipe, use your favorite variety!
How to Thaw Frozen Salmon for Cooking
3 Ways to Thaw Frozen Salmon
- Water: Fill a large bowl with cold water. Place the salmon fillets in a resealable plastic bag, then place the bag in the cold water.
- Refrigerator: You can defrost salmon in the fridge overnight.
- Microwave: The fastest way to defrost salmon is through microwave defrosting.
Why is Salmon a Superfood?
Salmon has earned a permanent spot on the superfoods list thanks to its high levels of omega-3 fatty acid—a type of good-for-you fat that has a long list of health benefits going it.
Where to begin: Omega-3s may help reduce inflammation throughout the body.
This is a well-loved salmon recipe that you can feel great about eating!
Substitutes for Salmon?
This recipe is delicious as it is with salmon fillets. If you prefer other fish here are some I recommend with the piccata sauce.
What to Substitute for Salmon
- Tilapia
- Cod
- Mahi-Mahi
- Trout
- Sea-bass
- Wahoo
- Stripped Bass
- Any white fish
You will also love this easy cod recipe: Crispy Baked Cod with Panko.
Serving Suggestions
Served with a side of Italian Fennel, Citrus, Pomegranate and Salad, Shredded Zucchini and Cheese Pasta (easy), Easy Soft Italian No Knead Bread you have a meal that tastes like an Italian restaurant!
You will be surprised by how quickly this scrumptious dish comes together and it is a one-pan recipe for easy clean-up. A taste of Italy at your table!
Storing
If you have leftovers, store them in the fridge in a tight-fitting container for up to three days. Try adding it to a salad or tossing it with pasta and adding extra olive oil to thin out the sauce.
From My Cucina to your Table. Mangia! Mangia! (Eat!)
Made with Amore,
Elena
More Delicious Recipes for YOU
- Ravioli Piccata with Mushroom Asparagus (Easy)
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- Classic Italian Spetzzatino (beef and vegetable stew)
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Have you checked out my NEW CBE PRODUCTS? Take a look at the 2-in-1 cutting and charcuterie board, gorgeous apron, and unique pasta server that you absolutely need. The wood products are all handmade in Salt Lake City, Utah. They make great gifts as well!
Baked Salmon with Butter Lemon Caper Sauce is an easy family dinner! Salmon cooked to perfection and topped with decadent piccata sauce.
Make sure to leave a ⭐️star rating on the recipe card and comment below if you make the recipe. I love to connect with you through my recipes.
I would love for you to tag me on Instagram @cucinabyelena so I can see your delicious Italian recipes. To get more ideas, follow me on Pinterest.
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Pan Seared Salmon Picata Sauce
All the flavors you love in a “piccata” recipe with a salmon twist! Traditionally, a piccata sauce is served with veal or chicken. I’ve created a version salmon that soak up that delicious sauce in a magnificent way. Served with a side of pasta and this is an easy 25 minute meal that tastes like you are dining at an Italian restaurant. You will be surprised by how quickly this scrumptious dish comes together. A taste of Italy at your table!
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 2 large 5- to 6-ounce salmon fillets
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more if needed
Piccata Sauce
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoons lemon juice, about one lemon
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest, about 1 large lemon
- 3 tablespoons capers
- ½ cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons Italian parsley, finely chopped (for garnish)
- Optional: lemon slices for serving
Instructions
- Pat your salmon fillets dry and seasoning with 1 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste.
- Heat the oil in a 12-inch skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat until hot and shimmering. Cook the salmon until golden and crisp on the outside, about 4 minutes. Resist the urge to touch with the fillets as they cook. Carefully flip the fillets and reduce the heat to medium.
- Continue cooking until done to your liking, 1 to 2 minutes more, depending on how well done you like your salmon. Using a slotted spatula, remove the fish to a plate to rest.
- Return the pan to medium heat and add butter, shallot, garlic, and the remaining ½ teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring often, until fragrant and soft, about 1 minute.
- Add the chicken broth, lemon juice, capers, and lemon zest. Simmer for 4 minutes to reduce slightly. Place salmon back in the pan and heat for an extra minute. Then, spoon the sauce over the salmon. Garnish with parsley and serve warm. Serve with lemon slices, if desired.
Notes
If you have leftovers, store them in the fridge in a tight-fitting container for up to three days.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Savory
- Method: Italian
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: salmon, picata, health, easy meal, capers, lemon, butter sauce
Chenée says
This was my dinner tonight and I loved it! So simple to make but so flavorful. I had to go back for seconds! Thank you!!
★★★★★
Elena says
So happy you loved it! It is any easy meal packed with great flavors.
Elena says
We love this meal and so do my children! Get some bread ready for the sauce.
★★★★★
Elena says
We love this recipe! It is the most requested salmon recipe from my family.
★★★★★
Diane says
This recipe is absolutely delicious and it’s so easy to prepare! Hubby and I both loved it and can’t wait to have it again — and again — and again. This is such a brilliant way to enjoy salmon!!
★★★★★
Elena says
Diane- so happy you loved it! It is one that I can eat often. Enjoy!