Pan-Seared Dill Salmon
Salmon fillets seared until crisp and served with a vibrant dill sauce, a quick and elegant dinner for Whole30. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs (5 ounces each), skin-on salmon fillets, tablespoons olive oil, tablespoons, 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 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 (5 ounces each), skin-on salmon fillets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons, chopped fresh dill
- 1, thinly sliced into rounds lemon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place salmon skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes until skin is crisp and golden.
- Step 3: Flip salmon and cook for 3-4 minutes more until fish is opaque and flakes easily. Transfer salmon to a plate, skin-side up.
- Step 4: Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet, then stir in 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill and 1 lemon slice. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then spoon over salmon before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Dill Salmon take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Pan-Seared Dill Salmon?
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 tablespoons olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Dill 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 Pan-Seared Dill Salmon 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 Pan-Seared Dill Salmon?
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
- ★★★★★
Brought this to a potluck and it was the first dish to disappear.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
