Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Dill Butter
Crisp-skinned salmon pan-seared to perfection, topped with a bright and herbaceous lemon dill butter sauce. This comfort food-inspired comfort food ready in about 22 minutes pairs (6 oz each), skin on salmon fillets, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces (6 oz each), skin on salmon fillets
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
- 2 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 clove minced garlic cloves
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 4 salmon fillets dry and season both sides with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Step 2: Place salmon fillets skin-side down in the hot pan and cook for 5-6 minutes without moving until skin is crisp and golden. Flip and cook 2-3 minutes until salmon is just cooked through.
- Step 3: Remove salmon from pan and set aside. Reduce heat to medium, add 4 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 clove minced garlic, 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, and 1 tsp lemon zest to the pan. Stir butter until melted and fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Step 4: Spoon the lemon dill butter over the salmon fillets and serve immediately for a fresh and comforting seafood dish.
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 salt 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 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 Lemon Dill Butter?
Comfort Food comfort food 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
- ★★★★★
Loved it! So simple but felt like a restaurant meal. The dill really tied it all together.
- ★★★★★
My kids actually asked for seconds. The butter sauce was the secret weapon—no more dry salmon nightmares.
- ★★★★★
This recipe saved my Tuesday dinner rush! Salmon cooked to perfection with that bright lemon-dill butter that made it feel fancy.
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