Are you ready to transform your weeknight dinner into a gourmet experience without spending hours in the kitchen? Our Lemon Butter Salmon & Shrimp with Garlic Mashed Potatoes & Sautéed Green Beans recipe is here to do just that! This delightful dish brings together the richness of perfectly cooked seafood with comforting, creamy sides, creating a balanced and utterly delicious meal.
The Ultimate Weeknight Delight: Lemon Butter Salmon & Shrimp Dinner
Imagine flaky, tender salmon and succulent shrimp bathed in a bright, zesty lemon butter sauce, perfectly complemented by velvety garlic mashed potatoes and vibrant, crisp-tender green beans. Sounds like a meal from a fancy restaurant, right? The best part is, you can whip this up in your own kitchen in under an hour, mostly using a single pan for the seafood!
Why This Recipe Will Become Your New Favorite
- Quick & Easy: Designed for efficiency, this meal comes together in about 40 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
- Gourmet Flavor, Simple Ingredients: High-quality, fresh ingredients shine through with minimal fuss, delivering maximum flavor.
- Complete Meal in One: With protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables all on one plate, it's a perfectly balanced and satisfying dinner.
- Visually Stunning: The vibrant colors of the salmon, shrimp, and green beans make for an incredibly appealing presentation.
Gathering Your Ingredients for a Culinary Symphony
The success of this dish lies in fresh, quality ingredients. Here's what you'll need to create this amazing meal:
For the Zesty Lemon Butter Salmon & Succulent Shrimp
- 1 salmon fillet (~6 oz)
- 6–8 large shrimp, peeled & deveined
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced (plus extra for juice)
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 tsp paprika (optional for color)
Crafting Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- 2 large russet or red potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup heavy cream or milk
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Optional: chopped parsley or chives for garnish
Perfectly Sautéed Green Beans
- 1 cup fresh green beans, trimmed
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Mastering the Method: Step-by-Step Cooking Guide
Ready to get cooking? Follow these simple steps for a meal that will impress!
Step 1: Prep the Potatoes. Boil diced potatoes in salted water for about 15–20 minutes until fork-tender. Drain thoroughly and mash with 2 tablespoons butter, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 cup cream or milk, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. Set aside and keep warm. For easy and efficient dicing and mincing, having a sharp, high-quality knife is crucial. If you're looking to upgrade your kitchen tools, consider checking out my favorite Quality Chef's Knife.
Step 2: Cook the Green Beans. In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add the trimmed green beans and sauté for 5–7 minutes until they are crisp-tender. Stir in 1 minced garlic clove during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 3: Sear the Salmon. Season your salmon fillet generously with salt, pepper, and paprika (if using). Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a separate skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the salmon skin-side down and sear for 4–5 minutes until the skin is crispy. Flip the salmon and cook for another 3–4 minutes, or until cooked through to your desired doneness. Remove the salmon from the pan and set it aside.
Step 4: Cook the Shrimp & Sauce. Using the same pan you cooked the salmon in (no need to clean it!), melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and the thinly sliced lemon. Sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the pan and cook for 2–3 minutes per side, or until they turn pink and are fully cooked through. Squeeze in fresh lemon juice and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, tossing to coat the shrimp in the delicious lemon butter sauce.
Step 5: Assemble & Serve. To serve, create a bed of garlic mashed potatoes on each plate. Artfully arrange the lemon butter shrimp on top, place the seared salmon with a few lemon slices next to it, and arrange the sautéed green beans on the side. Drizzle any remaining lemon butter sauce from the pan over the salmon, shrimp, and potatoes. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or chives for an extra touch of color and flavor.
Pro Tips for a Flawless Finish
- Don't Overcrowd the Pan: When searing salmon and shrimp, cook in batches if necessary to avoid steaming instead of searing. This ensures a beautiful crust.
- Pat Dry Your Seafood: Always pat salmon and shrimp thoroughly dry with paper towels before seasoning and cooking. This helps achieve a better sear.
- Don't Overcook: Seafood cooks quickly. Overcooked salmon can be dry, and overcooked shrimp can become rubbery. Keep a close eye on them!
- Fresh Lemon is Key: The fresh lemon juice added at the end truly brightens the entire dish, so don't skip it.
Perfect Pairings & Creative Variations
This Lemon Butter Salmon & Shrimp dinner is fantastic on its own, but you can also:
- Wine Pairing: A crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a light Pinot Grigio would beautifully complement the seafood and lemon flavors.
- Herb Swap: Instead of parsley, try fresh dill or chives for a slightly different aromatic profile.
- Spice it Up: A pinch of red pepper flakes added to the butter sauce can give a subtle kick.
We hope this recipe becomes a cherished staple in your home! Enjoy the simplicity and elegance of this stunning Lemon Butter Salmon & Shrimp dinner. Happy cooking!
FAQs
Can I use frozen salmon and shrimp for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen salmon and shrimp, but ensure they are fully thawed before cooking. Pat them dry thoroughly to get a good sear and prevent excess moisture from interfering with the lemon butter sauce.
What are some good substitutions if I don't like green beans?
If green beans aren't your favorite, feel free to substitute them with other quick-cooking vegetables like asparagus, broccoli florets, or even spinach. Simply adjust cooking times as needed.
How can I make the mashed potatoes extra creamy?
To achieve extra creamy mashed potatoes, use warm heavy cream or milk, and add a touch more butter or even a dollop of cream cheese or sour cream while mashing. Using a potato ricer can also help create a smoother texture.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
This recipe can be suitable for meal prep. Store the salmon, shrimp, potatoes, and green beans in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently to maintain the quality of the seafood and vegetables.
Lemon Butter Salmon & Shrimp with Garlic Mashed Potatoes & Sautéed Green Beans
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 1 generous serving 1x
- Diet: Pescatarian
Description
An exquisite one-pan seafood dinner featuring flaky lemon butter salmon and succulent shrimp, perfectly paired with creamy garlic mashed potatoes and crisp sautéed green beans.
Ingredients
1 salmon fillet (~6 oz)
6–8 large shrimp, peeled & deveined
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 lemon, thinly sliced (plus extra for juice)
1 tbsp chopped parsley
Salt & black pepper, to taste
1/2 tsp paprika (optional for color)
2 large russet or red potatoes, peeled and diced
2 tbsp butter
1/4 cup heavy cream or milk
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt & pepper, to taste
Optional: chopped parsley or chives for garnish
1 cup fresh green beans, trimmed
1 tbsp olive oil or butter
1 garlic clove, minced
Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Potatoes: Boil diced potatoes in salted water for about 15–20 minutes until fork-tender. Drain and mash with butter, garlic, cream, salt, and pepper. Set aside and keep warm.
Step 2: Cook the Green Beans: In a skillet, heat oil or butter over medium heat. Add green beans and sauté for 5–7 minutes until crisp-tender. Add garlic in the last 2 minutes. Season to taste.
Step 3: Sear the Salmon: Season salmon with salt, pepper, and paprika. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add salmon skin-side down and sear 4–5 minutes. Flip and cook another 3–4 minutes. Remove and set aside.
Step 4: Cook the Shrimp & Sauce: In the same pan, melt butter and add garlic and lemon slices. Sauté for 1–2 minutes. Add shrimp and cook for 2–3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through. Squeeze in fresh lemon juice and sprinkle with parsley.
Step 5: Assemble & Serve: Plate mashed potatoes with shrimp draped on top, salmon with lemon slices, and green beans on the side. Drizzle remaining lemon butter sauce over everything. Garnish with fresh herbs.
Notes
For best results, use fresh seafood. Adjust garlic and lemon to your taste preferences. This meal can easily be scaled up for more servings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Searing & Sautéing
- Cuisine: Seafood
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 generous plate
- Calories: 750-850 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 45g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 60g
- Cholesterol: 250mg
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