Pan Seared Salmon with Wine Butter Sauce

Pan-seared salmon with white wine butter sauce, similar to beurre blanc, is an easy salmon recipe that is restaurant-quality and delicious!

Pan Seared Salmon

This pan-seared salmon recipe with white wine butter sauce is one of my favorite French-inspired recipes! It is perfect for date night or a busy weeknight when you need a treat. This seared salmon with beurre blanc is a bit elegant, like something you would order at a fancy restaurant, yet it is super quick and easy to make and I truly enjoy every bite! I make it often because it is deliciously decadent, but also relatively healthy… at least that is what I tell myself as I devour the wine butter sauce.

The white wine butter sauce is my version of a French beurre blanc sauce and it is drool-worthy! However, it is a rich, buttery sauce, so if you are watching your calories, feel free to serve the salmon without the sauce. The pan-seared salmon tastes great even without the sauce. Just squeeze a little lemon juice on it for a healthier alternative. But if you want a real treat, make the wine sauce!

Try serving this salmon with Creamy Cauliflower Risotto or Haricots Verts Amandine, or both! Feeling extra hungry? Then toss in some Easy Cheddar Biscuits to soak up any extra sauce. Yum!

Pan-Seared Salmon Ingredients

This Pan-Seared Salmon is crusted with tarragon, kosher salt, and freshly ground pepper. You can use another dried herb such as thyme or basil, or you can just simply season the salmon with salt and pepper.

• Salmon – fresh salmon fillets – preferably with the skin removed
• Olive oil
• Herbs – dried tarragon or other dried herbs such as thyme or basil
• Salt & Pepper – I use kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

White Wine Butter Sauce Ingredients

• White Wine – I used Sauvignon Blanc, then had the rest with dinner!
• Butter – unsalted butter – cold
• Garlic – minced garlic or shallots
• Salt – I used fine kosher salt

How to Pan Sear Salmon 

To pan sear salmon, first, season the top of the salmon fillets with tarragon, salt, and pepper. Set aside and start the sauce. (see below)

Heat olive oil in a pan or skillet over medium-high heat until it sizzles. Add the seasoned salmon to the pan, top side down first, and sear for 4 – 5 minutes, then flip and cook for another 3 – 5 minutes or until the salmon is cooked through. It should flake easily with a fork. Serve with the wine butter sauce.

How to Make White Wine Butter Sauce

In a small saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic to the butter and simmer for 1 minute, or until fragrant. Add the white wine and a small pinch of salt to the pan and whisk to combine. Increase the heat to medium and simmer, whisking occasionally, until the wine is reduced by about half. This could take up to 10 minutes, but it could happen much faster depending on the pan and stove, so keep an eye on it.

While you are reducing the wine, cook the salmon. Once the wine has been reduced, remove from heat or reduce heat to the lowest setting and quickly whisk in the rest of the butter, 1 tablespoon at a time. You can also whisk in 1 additional tablespoon of butter to thicken if desired.

Pour the sauce over the salmon and serve immediately. Enjoy!

(Note: This recipe was originally published on March 24th, 2019)

Did you make this recipe?
Tag @thesumofyum on Instagram

More Seafood Recipes

If you like this recipe, you might also want to try one of the following seafood recipes.

• Baked Tilapia with Garlic Lemon Butter
• Cajun Shrimp Pasta
• Cedar Plank Salmon
• Cajun Shrimp Tacos
• Garlic Herb Baked Salmon
• Garlic Lime Shrimp with Coconut Rice
• Greek Shrimp Saganaki
• Parmesan Crusted Tilapia
• Sesame Glazed Salmon
• Shrimp and Broccoli Foil Packs
• Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles
• Spicy Garlic Shrimp
• Baked Cod with Lemon Butter
• Shrimp and Asparagus
• Tuna Cobb Salad
• Italian Roasted Shrimp
• Tuscan Shrimp Pasta