Pan-Seared Salmon with Dill-Infused Lemon Butter
Flaky salmon fillets cooked to perfection with a bright, herbaceous butter sauce that complements the fish's natural richness. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 20 minutes pairs (6 oz each) salmon fillets, unsalted butter, fresh dill for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 405 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
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp fresh dill
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides with 1/2 tsp sea salt and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Place salmon skin-side down in the skillet and cook undisturbed for 6 minutes until skin is crisp and golden. Flip carefully and cook for 3 more minutes until fish is opaque and flakes easily.
- Step 3: Remove salmon from skillet and keep warm. Add 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 minced garlic clove, and 2 tbsp fresh dill to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute, then stir in 1 tbsp lemon juice. Spoon butter sauce over salmon immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Salmon with Dill-Infused Lemon Butter take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (10 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 Salmon with Dill-Infused Lemon Butter?
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 Salmon with Dill-Infused Lemon Butter?
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 Salmon with Dill-Infused Lemon Butter 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.
What goes well with Pan-Seared Salmon with Dill-Infused Lemon Butter?
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
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 10-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★☆☆☆
The proportions seem off. Way too much of some ingredients.
