Cisco's Catch of the Day: Pan-Seared Salmon
A simple, elegant pan-seared salmon fillet with a bright lemon-dill sauce, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 20 minutes pairs (6 oz each) 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 400 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) Salmon fillets
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp Fresh dill
- 2 tbsp Unsalted butter
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- a pinch Black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat the 2 salmon fillets (6 oz each) dry with paper towels and season both sides with 1/4 tsp salt and a pinch of black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Place the salmon fillets skin-side down in the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes without moving until the skin is crispy and golden brown. Flip the salmon and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 125°F for medium-rare.
- Step 3: Remove the salmon from the skillet and set aside. Add 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, and 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill to the skillet, scraping up any browned bits. Reduce heat to low and add 2 tbsp softened butter, stirring until melted and the sauce is glossy.
- Step 4: Pour the lemon-dill sauce over the salmon fillets and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cisco's Catch of the Day: Pan-Seared Salmon take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Cisco's Catch of the Day: Pan-Seared Salmon?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (6 oz each) salmon fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cisco's Catch of the Day: Pan-Seared Salmon?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cisco's Catch of the Day: Pan-Seared Salmon for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Cisco's Catch of the Day: Pan-Seared Salmon?
American seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made this for my family and everyone asked for the recipe.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
