Pan-Seared Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon
Succulent salmon fillets seared to perfection and topped with a zesty lemon-garlic butter sauce, ready in under 20 minutes for a gourmet dinner. This american-inspired seafood (keto) ready in about 25 minutes pairs (6 oz each) salmon fillets, olive oil, unsalted butter 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 (6 oz each) salmon fillets
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh dill
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each) dry with paper towels and season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add salmon skin-side down (if skin-on) and cook for 4-5 minutes until skin is crispy and golden, then flip and cook for 3-4 minutes until internal temperature reaches 145°F.
- Step 2: Remove salmon from skillet and set aside. Add 2 tbsp unsalted butter and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, sautéing over medium heat for 1 minute until fragrant and butter melts, being careful not to brown garlic.
- Step 3: Stir in 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill. Return salmon to skillet, spooning sauce over top, and cook for 1 minute to heat through and coat salmon evenly.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Lemon Garlic Butter 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 Lemon Garlic Butter 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 (6 oz each) salmon fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Lemon Garlic Butter 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 Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon 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 Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon keto?
Yes — this recipe is tagged keto based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Best recipe I've made this month.
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 15-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
