Grilled Lemon-Dill Salmon with Herb Butter
Perfectly seared salmon fillets with a zesty lemon-dill sauce, featuring a herb-infused butter finish. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 29 minutes pairs (6 oz each, skin-on) salmon fillets, olive oil, lemon zest for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 4 (6 oz each, skin-on) salmon fillets
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh dill
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh chives
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp salt; rub evenly over both sides of the salmon.
- Step 2: Heat a grill to medium-high (375°F). Place the salmon skin-side down on the grill and cook for 6-8 minutes until the skin is crispy and golden. Flip and cook for 4-6 minutes more, or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork.
- Step 3: While salmon cooks, mix 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill, 1/4 cup sour cream, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives in a small bowl.
- Step 4: Serve the salmon with the lemon-dill sauce spooned over the top.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Lemon-Dill Salmon with Herb Butter take to make?
Total time is about 29 minutes (15 min prep + 14 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 Grilled Lemon-Dill Salmon with Herb Butter?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Lemon-Dill Salmon with Herb Butter?
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 Grilled Lemon-Dill Salmon with Herb Butter for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Grilled Lemon-Dill Salmon with Herb Butter?
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
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★☆☆☆☆
Didn't come together the way I expected. Flavors were flat.