Pan-Seared Salmon with Garlic-Herb Butter
Perfectly seared salmon fillets topped with a fragrant garlic-herb butter sauce, ready in under 20 minutes. This mediterranean-inspired whole30 ready in about 22 minutes pairs (5 oz each) Salmon fillets, Butter, minced Garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 (5 oz each) Salmon fillets
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 3 cloves, minced Garlic
- 2 tbsp, chopped Fresh dill
- 1, thinly sliced Lemon
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 1/2 tsp Sea salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat salmon fillets (5 oz each) dry with paper towels. Season both sides with 1/2 tsp sea salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add salmon skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Step 3: Flip salmon and cook for 3-4 minutes until opaque and easily flaky. Remove salmon and set aside.
- Step 4: Add 2 tbsp butter and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet over medium heat. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, then stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill. Pour over salmon and top with 1 lemon, thinly sliced.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Salmon with Garlic-Herb Butter 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 Garlic-Herb 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 (5 oz each) salmon fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Salmon with Garlic-Herb 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 Garlic-Herb 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 Garlic-Herb Butter?
Mediterranean whole30 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.
- ★★★★★
The step-by-step instructions were super clear. Turned out perfect on my first try.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
