Pan-Seared Salmon with Fresh Dill and Garlic-Infused Butter

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Restaurant-quality salmon with a vibrant dill butter sauce, ready in 15 minutes with minimal cleanup. This american-inspired keto ready in about 20 minutes pairs 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 420 calories and feeds 1, 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 1 American cuisine 420 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 8 oz salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 clove minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Place salmon skin-side down in the skillet. Cook undisturbed for 6 minutes until skin is crisp and golden, then flip and cook 3 more minutes until fish flakes easily with a fork.
  4. Step 4: Remove salmon from skillet. Add 2 tbsp unsalted butter and 1 tbsp fresh dill to the pan, swirling until butter melts and bubbles, then stir in 1 tsp lemon juice. Pour sauce over salmon immediately.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Salmon with Fresh Dill and Garlic-Infused 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 Fresh Dill and Garlic-Infused 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 salmon fillets from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Salmon with Fresh Dill and Garlic-Infused 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 Fresh Dill and Garlic-Infused Butter for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). 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 Fresh Dill and Garlic-Infused Butter?

American keto 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

Related recipes