Norwegian Butter-Basted Salmon with Dill and Lemon
Pan-seared salmon fillets basted in butter and fresh dill, finished with a bright lemon squeeze for a simple Scandinavian-inspired seafood dish. This norwegian-inspired seafood ready in about 17 minutes pairs (6 oz each), skin on salmon fillets, unsalted butter, chopped fresh dill 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 pieces (6 oz each), skin on salmon fillets
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh dill
- 2 cloves, smashed garlic cloves
- 1, zested and juiced lemon
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place salmon skin-side down and cook for 5-6 minutes until skin is crisp and salmon is cooked halfway through.
- Step 3: Flip salmon and add 4 tbsp unsalted butter, 2 smashed garlic cloves, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill to the pan. Tilt pan and baste salmon repeatedly with melted butter for 2-3 minutes until salmon is cooked through but still moist.
- Step 4: Remove salmon from heat, squeeze juice of 1 lemon over fillets and sprinkle with 1 tsp lemon zest for fresh brightness. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Norwegian Butter-Basted Salmon with Dill and Lemon take to make?
Total time is about 17 minutes (5 min prep + 12 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 Norwegian Butter-Basted Salmon with Dill and Lemon?
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 unsalted butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Norwegian Butter-Basted Salmon with Dill and Lemon?
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 Norwegian Butter-Basted Salmon with Dill and Lemon 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 Norwegian Butter-Basted Salmon with Dill and Lemon?
Norwegian 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.
