Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon-Dill Butter Sauce and Garlic Green Beans
Pan-seared salmon fillets topped with a bright lemon-dill butter sauce, paired with garlic-infused sautéed green beans for a fresh, quick seafood dinner. This american-inspired seafood (low carb) ready in about 25 minutes blends (6 oz each) salmon fillets, skin on, unsalted butter, fresh lemon juice into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 390 calories and feeds 4, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. 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 pieces (6 oz each) salmon fillets, skin on
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 12 oz fresh green beans, trimmed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 4 salmon fillets with paper towels and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Place salmon fillets skin-side down in the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes without moving until skin is crispy. Flip and cook for 3 more minutes until salmon is just cooked through. Remove salmon to a plate.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add 4 tbsp unsalted butter and 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté garlic for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 4: Add 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill to the butter. Stir and cook for 30 seconds until sauce emulsifies.
- Step 5: Meanwhile, in a separate pan, blanch 12 oz trimmed green beans in boiling salted water for 3 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp, then drain.
- Step 6: Add green beans to the skillet with lemon-dill butter sauce and toss to coat and heat through for 2 minutes.
- Step 7: Serve salmon fillets topped generously with lemon-dill butter sauce alongside the garlic green beans.
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 Sauce and Garlic Green Beans take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). A small batch typically covers several meals in the week — store as the recipe directs.
How do I store leftover Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon-Dill Butter Sauce and Garlic Green Beans?
Transfer to an airtight jar and refrigerate for up to 5–7 days. Most sauces freeze well for up to 2 months — portion into small containers or freezer bags so you can thaw only what you need. Stir before serving; cream- or yogurt-based sauces may separate on standing.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon-Dill Butter Sauce and Garlic Green Beans?
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 Sauce and Garlic Green Beans 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 Lemon-Dill Butter Sauce and Garlic Green Beans low carb?
Yes — this recipe is tagged low carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
