Pan-Seared Garlic Butter Salmon with Lemon and Dill
A quick pan-seared salmon recipe finished with a garlic butter sauce and fresh lemon dill for a bright, flavorful dinner. This american-inspired seafood (gluten free) ready in about 15 minutes pairs (6 oz each) salmon fillets, salt, black pepper 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 (6 oz each) salmon fillets
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 4 salmon fillets and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper evenly.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the salmon fillets skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes without moving until the skin is crispy.
- Step 3: Flip the salmon and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 3 minced garlic cloves to the pan. Spoon the melting butter and garlic over the salmon continuously for 3 minutes until cooked through and fragrant.
- Step 4: Remove the pan from heat and drizzle 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice over the salmon, then sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill on top before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Garlic Butter Salmon with Lemon and Dill take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (5 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 Pan-Seared Garlic Butter Salmon with Lemon and Dill?
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 (6 oz each) salmon fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Garlic Butter Salmon with Lemon and Dill?
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 Garlic Butter Salmon with Lemon and Dill 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.
Is Pan-Seared Garlic Butter Salmon with Lemon and Dill gluten free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
