Lemon-Dill Salmon with Maple-Glazed Carrots
A simple yet elegant dinner featuring pan-seared salmon with a bright lemon-dill sauce and tender maple-glazed carrots. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs (6 oz each), skin-on salmon fillets, olive oil, maple syrup for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 390 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
- 8 medium, peeled and cut into 2-inch sticks carrots
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1, zested and juiced lemon
- 1 tbsp, fresh, chopped dill
- 1 clove, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Season salmon with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place salmon skin-side down and cook for 5 minutes until skin is crispy and golden.
- Step 2: Flip salmon and cook for 3-4 minutes until fish is opaque in the center. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil.
- Step 3: Add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil to the same skillet over medium heat. Add carrots and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add maple syrup, 2 tbsp water, and 1/4 tsp salt, then cover and cook for 8-10 minutes until carrots are tender.
- Step 4: While carrots cook, whisk lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, dill, butter, and 1 tbsp water in a small bowl. Pour over salmon and serve immediately with carrots.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Dill Salmon with Maple-Glazed Carrots take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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-Dill Salmon with Maple-Glazed Carrots?
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 Lemon-Dill Salmon with Maple-Glazed Carrots?
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-Dill Salmon with Maple-Glazed Carrots 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 Lemon-Dill Salmon with Maple-Glazed Carrots?
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 with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
