Pan-Seared Salmon with Dill-Lemon Butter
Perfectly seared salmon fillets with a vibrant herb-infused butter sauce that elevates this 15-minute dinner. This scandinavian-inspired seafood ready in about 20 minutes pairs (6 oz each), skin-on salmon fillets, sliced into thin rounds lemon, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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), skin-on salmon fillets
- 1, sliced into thin rounds lemon
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh dill
- 1 clove, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat salmon dry with paper towels; season both sides with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering (about 2 minutes).
- Step 2: Place salmon skin-side down in skillet and cook for 6 minutes until skin is crispy and golden; flip and cook for 3 more minutes until opaque and easily flakes.
- Step 3: Remove salmon from skillet and set aside. Add butter, minced garlic, and lemon slices to the same skillet; cook for 2 minutes until butter foams and garlic is fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in chopped dill and cook for 30 seconds until aromatic. Pour sauce over salmon fillets, ensuring each piece is generously coated.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Salmon with Dill-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-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 sliced into thin rounds lemon from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Salmon with Dill-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-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-Lemon Butter?
Scandinavian 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
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better seafood dishes though.
