Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon-Dill Greek Yogurt Sauce
Crisp-skinned salmon fillets pan-seared to perfection and served with a tangy Greek yogurt sauce infused with fresh lemon and dill. This mediterranean-inspired holiday (mediterranean) ready in about 22 minutes pairs olive oil, 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.
Ingredients
- 4 fillets (6 oz each), skin-on salmon fillets
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 clove minced garlic
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 4 salmon fillets and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Place salmon fillets skin-side down and cook for 5-6 minutes until the skin is crisp and golden.
- Step 3: Flip the fillets and cook for another 3-4 minutes until salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Step 4: While salmon cooks, combine 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 minced garlic clove in a small bowl. Mix until smooth.
- Step 5: Serve each salmon fillet topped with a dollop of the lemon-dill yogurt sauce.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon-Dill Greek Yogurt Sauce 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 Greek Yogurt Sauce?
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 Greek Yogurt Sauce?
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 Greek Yogurt Sauce 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 Greek Yogurt Sauce?
Mediterranean holiday 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
- ★★★★★
The dill in the yogurt sauce was the perfect touch. Made it for Eid and it was a hit with my whole family.
- ★★★★★
Simple but impressive. Served it to my in-laws and they couldn’t believe how restaurant-quality it was.
- ★★★★★
This recipe transformed my holiday meal. The yogurt sauce cut through the richness of the salmon beautifully—will make it every year!
