Best Pan-Seared Salmon

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-06 · Updated 2026-04-06

Flaky salmon fillets with a crispy skin and a bright lemon-dill sauce that's simply the best. This American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs salmon fillets, olive oil, lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 (6 oz each), skin-on salmon fillets
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp, finely chopped fresh dill
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place the salmon skin-side down in the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes without moving until the skin is crispy and golden.
3. Step 3: Flip the salmon and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 125°F (52°C) for medium-rare. Remove the salmon from the skillet and set aside.
4. Step 4: Reduce heat to medium, add 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp fresh dill, and 1 tbsp unsalted butter to the skillet. Stir constantly for 1 minute until the butter melts and the sauce thickens slightly. Pour the sauce over the salmon and serve immediately.