Lemon-Butter Pan-Seared Salmon
Flaky salmon fillets cooked in a vibrant lemon-butter sauce with fresh garlic, perfect for a quick keto dinner. This american-inspired seafood (keto, low-carb) ready in about 20 minutes pairs Salmon fillets, Butter, Lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 1, so it slots cleanly into a low-carb week and pairs well with cauliflower rice or roasted green vegetables. 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
- 6 oz Salmon fillets
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 1 Lemon
- 1 clove Garlic
- 1/4 tsp Dried dill
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/8 tsp Black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 6 oz salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season evenly with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp butter in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 3: Place salmon skin-side down in the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes until skin is crisp and golden.
- Step 4: Flip salmon and cook for 2-3 minutes more until internal temperature reaches 125°F (52°C) for medium doneness.
- Step 5: Reduce heat to medium, add remaining 1 tbsp butter, juice of 1 lemon, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1/4 tsp dried dill. Swirl for 1 minute until sauce is fragrant and glossy.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Butter 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 Lemon-Butter Pan-Seared Salmon?
Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Butter 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 Lemon-Butter Pan-Seared Salmon for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). 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.
Is Lemon-Butter Pan-Seared Salmon keto?
Yes — this recipe is tagged keto, low-carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Quick and elegant for date night. The salmon was perfectly seared and the lemon-butter sauce tied it all together.
- ★★★★★
The lemon-butter sauce was absolutely divine! My husband and I devoured it with some steamed veggies.
- ★★★★☆
Cooked it for my family, and they all enjoyed it, but it took longer to sear than the recipe said.
