Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon-Dill Butter
Perfectly crispy-skinned salmon fillets topped with a vibrant herb-infused butter sauce. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 22 minutes pairs (6 oz each, skin-on) salmon fillets, olive oil, lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 340 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 2 (6 oz each, skin-on) salmon fillets
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh dill
- 1 clove, minced garlic
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels, then season skin side with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Place skin-side down in a cold non-stick skillet, add 1 tbsp olive oil, and set over medium heat.
- Step 2: Cook skin-side down for 8 minutes without moving until skin is golden and crispy. Flip salmon, add 1 tbsp lemon juice, and cook for 4-5 more minutes until fish flakes easily with a fork and internal temperature reaches 125°F (52°C).
- Step 3: Remove salmon from skillet to a plate, leaving drippings. Add 2 tbsp butter, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1 tbsp chopped dill to the skillet, stirring constantly until butter melts and sizzles, about 1 minute.
- Step 4: Pour lemon-dill butter sauce over salmon fillets immediately, ensuring it coats the top. Serve with extra lemon wedges for squeezing.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon-Dill 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 Lemon-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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon-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 Lemon-Dill Butter for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Lemon-Dill Butter?
American seafood 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
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
