Cast Iron Seared Salmon with Lemon-Dill Sauce
A modern take on a classic, using precise searing techniques to create a crispy skin while keeping the salmon perfectly moist. This American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs salmon fillets (skin-on), 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
- 450g salmon fillets (skin-on)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh dill
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 clove garlic
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 450g salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season the skin side with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking.
- Step 2: Place salmon skin-side down in the hot skillet and press gently with a spatula for 10 seconds to ensure even contact, then cook undisturbed for 8-10 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crisp.
- Step 3: Flip the salmon and cook for 3-4 minutes more until the internal temperature reaches 120°F (49°C) for medium-rare, then transfer to a plate.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to medium and add 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp fresh dill, and 1 minced garlic clove to the skillet, stirring to deglaze the pan for 1 minute.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and whisk in 2 tbsp cold unsalted butter until the sauce emulsifies and becomes glossy. Pour the sauce over the salmon immediately and serve with additional dill garnish.









