Pan-Seared Salmon with Fresh Dill and Lemon Zest
Salmon fillets with crispy skin, finished with a bright dill-lemon sauce that complements the rich fish. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 22 minutes pairs (6 ounces each), skin-on salmon fillets, tablespoon olive oil, teaspoon salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 2 (6 ounces each), skin-on salmon fillets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- 1, zested lemon
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat salmon dry with paper towels and season both sides with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Place salmon skin-side down and cook 6-7 minutes without moving until skin is golden and crispy.
- Step 3: Flip salmon and cook 3-4 minutes more until cooked through. Remove salmon to a plate. Add butter to skillet, then stir in lemon zest and 1 tablespoon fresh dill. Cook 1 minute until fragrant, then pour sauce over salmon immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Salmon with Fresh Dill and Lemon Zest take to make?
Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 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 Lemon Zest?
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 tablespoon olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Salmon with Fresh Dill and Lemon Zest?
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 Lemon Zest for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Lemon Zest?
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
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★☆☆☆
Didn't come together the way I expected. Flavors were flat.
- ★☆☆☆☆
Followed exactly and it was underwhelming. Maybe my expectations were too high.
