Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon-Dill Butter

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-06 · Updated 2026-07-06

A bright and flavorful salmon filet seared to a golden crust and topped with a zesty lemon-dill butter sauce. This American-inspired Fourth of July recipe, ready in about 22 minutes, pairs salmon fillets, skin on, 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.

Ingredients

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

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each, skin on) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place salmon fillets skin-side down and cook without moving for 5-6 minutes until the skin is crisp and golden.
3. Step 3: Flip the fillets carefully and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
4. Step 4: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter with 2 minced garlic cloves, stirring until fragrant, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill.
5. Step 5: Spoon the lemon-dill butter over the cooked salmon fillets and serve immediately with your favorite sides.