Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon-Dill Rice and Garlic Green Beans
A quick and balanced dinner featuring crispy-skinned salmon paired with fluffy lemon-dill rice and garlicky sautéed green beans. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 35 minutes pairs (6 oz each) 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 520 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
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 12 oz green beans, trimmed
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup long grain white rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add the rice, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, and stir in 1 tsp lemon zest and 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill.
- Step 2: While rice cooks, season 4 salmon fillets with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Place salmon skin-side down and cook for 5-6 minutes until skin is crisp and edges turn opaque.
- Step 3: Flip the salmon and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until fish is just cooked through. Remove salmon from skillet and keep warm.
- Step 4: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp unsalted butter. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 12 oz trimmed green beans. Sauté over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until beans are tender-crisp and garlic is fragrant.
- Step 5: Serve salmon over lemon-dill rice with garlic green beans on the side.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon-Dill Rice and Garlic Green Beans take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 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 Rice and Garlic Green Beans?
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 Rice 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 Rice 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.
What goes well with Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon-Dill Rice and Garlic Green Beans?
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.
