Pan-Fried Salmon with Lemon and Dill Butter

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-22 · Updated 2026-05-22

Tender salmon fillets pan-fried to a crisp golden crust, finished with a bright lemon and dill butter sauce. This Mediterranean-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 22 minutes, pairs salmon fillets, skin on, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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) salmon fillets, skin on
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp lemon zest

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place salmon fillets skin-side down and cook for 5-6 minutes without moving until the skin is crisp and golden.
3. Step 3: Flip the fillets carefully and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily.
4. Step 4: Reduce heat to low and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tsp lemon zest to the pan. Spoon the melted butter mixture over the salmon for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and well coated.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and serve immediately, spooning any extra butter sauce from the pan over the fillets.