Pan-Seared Salmon with Fresh Dill Butter
Flaky salmon fillets topped with a herbaceous butter sauce, cooked to perfection in 15 minutes. This mediterranean-inspired keto ready in about 15 minutes pairs ounces salmon fillets, tablespoon unsalted butter, tablespoon chopped fresh dill for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.
Ingredients
- 6 ounces salmon fillets
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 6 ounces salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with 1/4 teaspoon sea salt and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tablespoon unsalted butter in a skillet over medium-high heat until melted and shimmering (about 1 minute).
- Step 3: Place salmon skin-side down in the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes until skin is crisp and golden, then flip and cook 3-4 minutes more until opaque and flaky.
- Step 4: Remove salmon from pan. Add 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill, 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest, and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder to the pan, stirring until fragrant for 30 seconds. Spoon 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 Butter take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (5 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 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 ounces salmon fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Salmon with Fresh Dill 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 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 Butter?
Mediterranean 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
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★★
My partner, who's usually picky, absolutely loved this.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
