Texas Roadhouse Salmon Recipe

Texas Roadhouse Salmon is a grilled salmon dinner served with lemon pepper sauce and two sides. This home copycat keeps that same steakhouse idea on the plate: tender salmon, bold seasoning, warm lemon pepper butter, seasoned rice, and crispy potato wedges.

The best result comes from three simple moves. Pat the fish dry, cook it over strong heat, and add the butter sauce at the end. That gives the salmon a lightly crisp top while the center stays moist.

This is not the official Texas Roadhouse recipe. It is a home version based on the menu description and made for weeknight cooking.

For more simple dinner ideas, visit the Dinner Recipes hub. If you want another salmon dinner after this one, try this Gluten-Free Maple Glazed Salmon.

Laura

Copycat Texas Roadhouse Salmon With Lemon Pepper Butter

Tender salmon fillets are coated with a smoky garlic rub, grilled, baked, or pan-seared, then brushed with lemon pepper butter. Serve with seasoned rice and crispy potato wedges for a steakhouse-style dinner at home.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 hours hrs 55 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• Salmon
• 4 salmon fillets about 6 ounces each
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
• Lemon Pepper Butter
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon chopped parsley
• Seasoned Rice
• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/4 cup diced onion
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Potato Wedges
• 3 medium russet potatoes cut into wedges
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Method

 

1. Prepare the Salmon
2. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels.
3. Brush each fillet with olive oil.
4. Mix the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, brown sugar, parsley, and cayenne in a small bowl.
5. Coat the top and sides of each salmon fillet with the seasoning rub.
6. Grilled Method
7. Heat the grill to medium-high.
8. Oil the grill grates.
9. Place the salmon skin-side down on the grill.
10. Grill for 4 to 6 minutes.
11. Flip the salmon with care.
12. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes more, or until the salmon reaches 145°F.
13. Brush with lemon pepper butter and serve hot.
14. Pan-Seared Method
15. Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
16. Add a thin layer of oil to the skillet.
17. Place the salmon in the pan, seasoned side down.
18. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes without moving it.
19. Flip the salmon.
20. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes more, or until the salmon reaches 145°F.
21. Spoon lemon pepper butter over the fish.
22. Rest for 2 minutes before serving.
23. Baked Method
24. Heat the oven to 400°F.
25. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
26. Place the seasoned salmon on the baking sheet.
27. Bake for 10 to 14 minutes, or until the salmon reaches 145°F.
28. Brush with lemon pepper butter.
29. Broil for 1 minute if you want more browning.
30. Make the Lemon Pepper Butter
31. Add melted butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, black pepper, garlic powder, and parsley to a small bowl.
32. Stir until mixed.
33. Brush over the salmon after cooking.
34. Make the Seasoned Rice
35. Melt butter in a medium pot.
36. Add diced onion and cook for 2 minutes.
37. Stir in the rice.
38. Toast the rice for 1 to 2 minutes.
39. Add chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, turmeric, paprika, salt, and pepper.
40. Bring to a boil.
41. Cover the pot and reduce heat to low.
42. Cook for 15 to 18 minutes.
43. Rest for 5 minutes.
44. Fluff with a fork.
45. Make the Potato Wedges
46. Heat the oven to 425°F.
47. Toss potato wedges with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
48. Spread the wedges on a baking sheet.
49. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes.
50. Flip halfway through cooking.
51. Serve when the edges are crisp and the centers are soft.
52. Recipe Notes

Notes

This is not the official Texas Roadhouse recipe. It is a home copycat based on grilled salmon with lemon pepper sauce and two sides.

For the closest steakhouse-style taste, grill the salmon. For the easiest weeknight method, bake it. For the best indoor crust, cook it in a cast-iron skillet.

Add the lemon pepper butter after cooking. Butter can brown too fast over high heat.

Keep the salmon skin on when grilling. It helps the fillets hold together.

Fish should reach 145°F for food safety. A food thermometer gives the most reliable result.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size: 1 salmon fillet with lemon pepper butter
Servings: 4

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	465
Carbohydrates	1 g
Protein	35 g
Fat	35 g
Saturated Fat	10 g
Cholesterol	115 mg
Sodium	700 mg
Sugar	1 g
Fiber	0 g

Nutrition values are estimates and do not include seasoned rice or potato wedges. Values change based on salmon size, butter amount, sauce amount, and product labels.

 

 

 

Quick Answer

Texas Roadhouse Salmon is a grilled salmon entree topped with lemon pepper sauce and served with two sides. This copycat recipe uses salmon fillets, a smoky garlic rub, and lemon pepper butter. Grill it for the closest restaurant-style taste, or bake it at 400°F for 10 to 14 minutes.

What Is Texas Roadhouse Salmon?

Texas Roadhouse describes its grilled salmon as a Norwegian salmon fillet grilled until moist and tender, topped with lemon pepper sauce, and served with two sides. This copycat version uses that same idea, then adapts it for a home kitchen with simple spices and common tools.

You can use fresh Atlantic salmon, Norwegian salmon, or another thick salmon fillet. Skin-on salmon works best for grilling because the skin helps the fish hold together. Skinless salmon works well in a skillet or oven.

Why This Copycat Salmon Tastes Like a Steakhouse Dinner

This recipe works because it copies the main steakhouse signals: high heat, a savory crust, lemon pepper butter, and hearty sides.

Dry salmon browns better than wet salmon. A hot grill or skillet gives the top a light crust. Smoked paprika adds a warm grilled note. A small amount of brown sugar helps the surface brown without making the fish taste sweet.

The lemon pepper butter goes on after cooking. This keeps the butter rich and keeps the lemon flavor clear.

Recipe Card

Copycat Texas Roadhouse Salmon

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 to 15 minutes
Total time: 25 to 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American copycat
Main keyword: Texas Roadhouse Salmon

Short Description

Tender salmon fillets are coated with a smoky garlic rub, cooked on the grill, in a skillet, or in the oven, then brushed with lemon pepper butter. Serve with seasoned rice and potato wedges for a full steakhouse-style plate.

Ingredients

For the Salmon

• 4 salmon fillets, about 6 ounces each
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne, optional

For the Lemon Pepper Butter

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon chopped parsley

For the Seasoned Rice

• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/4 cup diced onion
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Potato Wedges

• 3 medium russet potatoes, cut into wedges
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

The Best Copycat Roadhouse Seasoning Blend

The seasoning gives this salmon its smoky, savory crust.

Use coarse salt for balance, black pepper for mild heat, garlic powder for a savory base, onion powder for a rounder taste, smoked paprika for a grilled note, and brown sugar for browning.

Use only a small amount of brown sugar. The goal is not a sweet glaze. The goal is a golden top that tastes rich and savory.

Best Rub Ratio

• 1 part salt
• 1 part black pepper
• 1 part garlic powder
• 1 part onion powder
• 1 part smoked paprika
• 1 part brown sugar
• 1/2 part dried parsley

Mix the rub before you start cooking. This helps the seasoning coat each fillet evenly.

How to Cook Texas Roadhouse Salmon

Grilled Method

1. Heat the grill to medium-high.
2. Pat the salmon dry with paper towels.
3. Brush the salmon with olive oil.
4. Mix the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, brown sugar, parsley, and cayenne.
5. Coat the top and sides of each salmon fillet.
6. Oil the grill grates.
7. Place the salmon skin-side down.
8. Grill for 4 to 6 minutes.
9. Flip the salmon with care.
10. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes more.
11. Brush with lemon pepper butter.
12. Serve hot.

Pan-Seared Method

1. Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Pat the salmon dry.
3. Brush the salmon with olive oil.
4. Coat the fish with the seasoning rub.
5. Add a thin layer of oil to the hot skillet.
6. Place salmon in the pan, seasoned side down.
7. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes without moving it.
8. Flip the salmon.
9. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes more.
10. Spoon lemon pepper butter over the fish.
11. Rest for 2 minutes before serving.

Baked Method

1. Heat the oven to 400°F.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Pat the salmon dry.
4. Brush the fish with olive oil.
5. Coat each fillet with the seasoning rub.
6. Place the salmon on the baking sheet.
7. Bake for 10 to 14 minutes.
8. Brush with lemon pepper butter.
9. Broil for 1 minute if you want more browning.

For another oven-style salmon dinner, see this Crispy Parmesan Salmon Bake.

Safe Salmon Temperature

Fish should reach 145°F for food safety, according to FoodSafety.gov. If you do not have a thermometer, the salmon should look opaque and separate easily with a fork.

For the juiciest texture, remove the salmon from heat as soon as it reaches the right doneness. Thin fillets cook fast, so check early.

Texas Roadhouse Salmon Sauce Copycat

The best sauce for this copycat salmon is lemon pepper butter. It matches the bright, rich taste people expect from steakhouse salmon.

Mix melted butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, black pepper, garlic powder, and parsley in a small bowl. Brush it over the salmon after cooking.

Do not add the butter sauce too early. Butter can burn over high heat. Adding it at the end gives the fish a glossy finish and keeps the lemon flavor fresh.

Lemon Pepper Butter Formula

• Butter for richness
• Lemon juice for brightness
• Lemon zest for stronger lemon flavor
• Black pepper for mild heat
• Garlic powder for savory depth
• Parsley for color and freshness

How to Make Texas Roadhouse Seasoned Rice

Seasoned rice makes this plate feel complete. Plain rice works, sure, but seasoned rice brings more flavor and color.

1. Melt butter in a medium pot.
2. Add diced onion.
3. Cook for 2 minutes.
4. Stir in the rice.
5. Toast the rice for 1 to 2 minutes.
6. Add chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, turmeric, paprika, salt, and pepper.
7. Bring the pot to a boil.
8. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low.
9. Cook for 15 to 18 minutes.
10. Rest for 5 minutes.
11. Fluff with a fork.

The turmeric gives the rice a warm golden color. The broth and onion make it taste like a real side, not an afterthought.

How to Make Crispy Potato Wedges

Potato wedges bring that hearty steakhouse energy. They also give you something crispy next to the soft salmon, which matters more than people admit.

1. Heat the oven to 425°F.
2. Toss potato wedges with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
3. Spread the wedges on a baking sheet.
4. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes.
5. Flip them halfway through.
6. Serve when the edges turn crisp and the centers turn soft.

Want a sweeter plate? Use sweet potatoes instead. They pair well with smoky salmon and lemon butter.

What to Serve With Texas Roadhouse Salmon

The full copycat plate needs seasoned rice and potato wedges. That combo gives you the restaurant-style feel without needing a booth and a basket of rolls.

You can also serve the salmon with:

• Green beans
• Steamed broccoli
• Baked potato
• Sweet potato
• Corn
• House salad
• Fresh carrot salad
• Tartar sauce

A crunchy salad works well because the salmon and butter already bring richness. Quiky Kitchen has a Raw Carrot Salad that adds a fresh, crisp side to a heavier plate. (Quiky Kitchen)

Grill vs Skillet vs Oven

Not sure which method you should pick? Here is my honest take.

IMO, the grill wins on flavor. The skillet wins on crust. The oven wins when you have exactly 23 minutes of patience left and no interest in babysitting dinner. :/

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Moving the Salmon Too Soon

Let the salmon cook without touching it for the first few minutes. If it sticks, give it more time. The crust usually releases when it forms.

Adding Butter Too Early

Brush the lemon pepper butter on after cooking. Butter can burn over strong heat, and burnt butter tastes bitter.

Skipping the Dry Step

Pat the fish dry before you season it. This helps the seasoning stick and helps the surface brown.

Overcooking Thin Fillets

Thin fillets dry out fast. Check them early, especially in the oven.

Forgetting the Rest Time

Let the salmon rest for 2 minutes before serving. This keeps the texture tender.

Easy Variations

You can change this Texas Roadhouse Salmon recipe without making it weird.

Try these ideas:

• Add cayenne for more heat.
• Use olive oil instead of butter for a dairy-free version.
• Add extra lemon zest for more lemon flavor.
• Serve the salmon over salad for a lighter plate.
• Use tamari instead of soy sauce if you add any salty sauce and need a gluten-free option.
• Add a small spoon of honey to the butter if you like a sweet finish.

If you want another quick salmon dinner, try Quiky Kitchen’s Gluten-Free Maple Glazed Salmon. It uses a sweet glaze and cooks fast. (Quiky Kitchen)

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Reheat it gently in a skillet over low heat. Add a small splash of water or broth and cover the pan. You can also warm it in the oven at 300°F until it heats through.

Avoid high heat when you reheat salmon. High heat dries it out, and dry leftover salmon tastes like punishment.

Cold leftover salmon also works well over salad, rice bowls, or wraps.

Nutrition Facts

These numbers give a rough estimate for 1 salmon fillet with lemon pepper butter. They do not include seasoned rice or potato wedges.

USDA-based data for raw farmed Atlantic salmon lists 208 calories, 20.42 grams of protein, 13.42 grams of fat, and 0 grams of carbs per 100 grams. (Purdue University)

With seasoned rice and potato wedges, the full plate lands around 800 to 850 calories, depending on portion size and butter amount.

Fish can fit many eating patterns. The FDA notes that fish can provide nutrients such as omega-3 fats, iron, iodine, and choline. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the official Texas Roadhouse Salmon recipe?

No. This recipe gives you a home copycat version based on the menu description of grilled salmon with lemon pepper sauce and two sides.

What sauce comes on Texas Roadhouse Salmon?

Texas Roadhouse lists lemon pepper sauce with its grilled salmon. This copycat uses lemon pepper butter with lemon juice, lemon zest, black pepper, garlic powder, parsley, and melted butter. (Texas Roadhouse)

Can I bake this salmon instead of grilling it?

Yes. Bake the salmon at 400°F for 10 to 14 minutes. Check thick fillets near the end of the cook time.

Can I use frozen salmon?

Yes. Thaw it overnight in the fridge. Pat it very dry before adding oil and seasoning.

Should I keep the salmon skin on?

Keep the skin on for grilling. It helps the salmon hold together. For baking or pan-searing, use either skin-on or skinless salmon.

What sides go best with Texas Roadhouse Salmon?

Seasoned rice, potato wedges, baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, corn, broccoli, and salad all work well.

How do I keep salmon from drying out?

Use high heat, check the fish early, and stop cooking when it reaches 145°F. Add the butter sauce after cooking and rest the fish for 2 minutes.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, you can. Check the labels on broth, spices, sauces, and side ingredients. Use gluten-free broth and gluten-free sauce products.

Final Thoughts

This Copycat Texas Roadhouse Salmon Recipe With Lemon Pepper Butter gives you a steakhouse-style dinner without the wait, the bill, or the awkward “should we get dessert?” debate.

The smoky garlic rub gives the salmon a golden top. The lemon pepper butter adds richness and brightness. The seasoned rice and potato wedges turn it into a full plate.

Grill it when you want the closest Texas Roadhouse-style taste. Pan-sear it when you want a crisp top indoors. Bake it when you want dinner to behave itself.

And hey, if you still make rolls on the side, I will not judge. That would make two of us.

For another Texas Roadhouse-style dinner idea, try this Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet.