Pan-Seared Salmon with Herb Oil
Perfectly seared salmon fillets with a golden crust, finished with a bright herb oil and lemon. This seafood-inspired seafood (gluten-free) ready in about 20 minutes pairs (6 oz each) salmon fillets, olive oil, fresh dill 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.
Ingredients
- 4 (6 oz each) salmon fillets
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh dill
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1, sliced into wedges lemon
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides evenly with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering (about 1 minute). Place salmon skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes until golden brown and crisp.
- Step 3: Flip the salmon and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork, reaching an internal temperature of 125°F.
- Step 4: Drizzle the cooked salmon with the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil and top with 2 tbsp fresh dill. Serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Salmon with Herb Oil 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 Herb Oil?
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 (6 oz each) salmon fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Salmon with Herb Oil?
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 Herb Oil 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.
Is Pan-Seared Salmon with Herb Oil gluten-free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Best salmon recipe ever! The herb oil made it so aromatic and fresh. Served with quinoa for a healthy dinner.
- ★★★★☆
The salmon was perfect, but it took longer to sear than expected. Still a keeper for weeknights!
- ★★★★☆
My family loved the herb oil variation. Only note: salmon was slightly overcooked on the edges.
