Begin by patting dry the salmon fillets with a paper towel. This helps to remove any excess moisture. Then, season the salmon generously with salt and pepper. This will add flavor to the fish.
Heat up the olive oil in a large non-stick pan or skillet over medium-high heat. You want the pan to be nice and hot.
Carefully place the salmon fillets into the pan, pressing them lightly so that the flesh makes good contact with the pan. Let them cook without moving them around for about 3 minutes. This will give the salmon a nice sear on one side.
After 3 minutes, flip the salmon fillets over to cook the other side. Cook them for another 3 minutes. You want the salmon to be cooked through but still tender and moist inside.
Remove the salmon from the pan and set it aside.
In the same pan, add the butter and allow it to melt. Once the butter is melted, add in the minced garlic and cook it for about a minute. This will infuse the butter with the delicious garlic flavor.
Now, add the honey and chopped parsley to the pan. Stir everything together.
Return the salmon fillets to the pan and spoon some of the buttery garlic and honey mixture over the top. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. You'll know it's done when the center of the salmon is mostly opaque. It's okay if the butter gets a little brown—it adds to the flavor.
Taste the dish and season it with more salt and pepper if needed.
Finally, give the salmon a squeeze of lemon juice for a refreshing zing before serving. Lemon wedges on the side are also a nice touch for those who want extra citrus flavor.
Notes
For an amazing golden brown crust on your salmon ensure your pan is very hot and your salmon has been patted dry before you introduce it to the pan. Try not to skip this step.
Overcooking your fish can be a disaster. You need to look for the salmon to be opaque and when you poke a fork into it, it flakes easily.
If you don’t have parsley on hand you can use any fresh herbs you have on hand. Give it an Italian feel with some chopped basil, or sprinkle some chopped dill over the finished dish, it really is that versatile.
This sauce goes with anything, try it with cod, or even steak!
Don’t waste the leftover butter in the pan, save it for the next day and fry some bread in it for a delicious garlic toasted treat.