Pan-Seared Garlic Butter Salmon with Lemon Dill Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-27 · Updated 2026-06-27

Tender salmon fillets seared in garlic butter and topped with a bright, creamy lemon dill sauce perfect for a quick dinner. This American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 17 minutes, pairs salmon fillets, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 salmon fillets
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
• 1/4 cup heavy cream

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Pans + 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 unsalted butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until melted and hot. Add salmon fillets skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes until edges are crispy and golden.
3. Step 3: Flip the salmon and add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp butter to the pan. Spoon the melted garlic butter over salmon as it cooks for another 3-4 minutes until cooked through.
4. Step 4: Remove salmon from pan and set aside. Lower heat to medium and add 1/4 cup heavy cream, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill to the pan. Stir gently and simmer for 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
5. Step 5: Spoon lemon dill sauce over the salmon fillets and serve immediately.