Pan-Seared Salmon with Citrus and Herb Salad

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-28 · Updated 2026-04-28

A bright, fresh salmon dish featuring a zesty citrus-herb salad that complements the rich, pan-seared fish perfectly. This Mediterranean-inspired Father’s Day recipe (high protein), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs salmon fillets, olive oil, salt 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 pieces, 6 oz each salmon fillets
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup, chopped mixed fresh herbs (parsley, dill, cilantro)
• 1 large, segmented orange
• 1 large, segmented lemon
• 1/4 cup, thinly sliced red onion
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp honey
• 1/4 tsp salt for salad
• 1/8 tsp black pepper for salad

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat 4 salmon fillets dry and season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper evenly on both sides. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
2. Step 2: Place salmon fillets skin-side down in the skillet and sear for 4-5 minutes without moving until the skin is crisp and edges are golden brown. Flip and cook for an additional 3 minutes until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily.
3. Step 3: While salmon cooks, combine 1/2 cup chopped mixed fresh herbs, 1 large segmented orange, 1 large segmented lemon, and 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion in a bowl. Whisk together 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tsp honey, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper, then drizzle over the salad and toss gently.
4. Step 4: Serve the pan-seared salmon topped with the citrus-herb salad immediately, allowing the bright salad to balance the rich fish.