Pan-Seared Salmon with Herb Lemon Butter Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-02 · Updated 2026-07-02

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Tender pan-seared salmon fillets finished with a bright, buttery lemon and fresh herb sauce that elevates the natural flavors. This American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 22 minutes, pairs salmon fillets, skin on, kosher salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 American cuisine 350 cal/serving

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Ingredients

4 (6 oz each) salmon fillets, skin on
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp unsalted butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
1 tsp lemon zest

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Instructions

Step 1: Pat dry 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each) with paper towels. Season both sides with 1 tsp kosher salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
Step 3: Place salmon fillets skin-side down in the skillet and cook without moving for 5-6 minutes until the skin is crispy and golden.
Step 4: Carefully flip the fillets and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Remove salmon from skillet and set aside.
Step 5: Reduce heat to medium-low. Add 4 tbsp unsalted butter and 2 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, stirring until butter melts and garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute.
Step 6: Stir in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill, and 1 tsp lemon zest. Cook for 30 seconds until the sauce is warm and aromatic.
Step 7: Spoon the herb lemon butter sauce over the salmon fillets and serve immediately.