Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Dill Sauce and Green Beans
Flaky salmon fillets topped with a bright lemon-dill sauce and perfectly steamed green beans, a protein-rich meal that requires minimal effort. This mediterranean-inspired seafood (low-carb, keto) ready in about 30 minutes pairs (6 oz each) salmon fillets, olive oil, lemon 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.
Ingredients
- 4 (6 oz each) salmon fillets
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp fresh dill
- 12 oz green beans
- 1 clove, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each) dry with paper towels. Season with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add salmon skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes until skin is golden. Flip and cook for 3-4 minutes more until cooked through.
- Step 3: Remove salmon and set aside. Add 1 minced garlic clove to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 12 oz trimmed green beans and 1 tbsp water, then cover and steam for 5 minutes until tender.
- Step 4: Stir 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp fresh dill, and 1 tbsp butter into the green beans. Cook for 1 minute until butter melts and sauce thickens. Serve sauce over salmon.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Dill Sauce and Green Beans take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Sauce and 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 (6 oz each) salmon fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Dill Sauce and 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 Sauce and 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 Sauce and Green Beans low-carb?
Yes — this recipe is tagged low-carb, keto based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Quick weeknight meal that felt special. The sauce balanced the salmon beautifully without overpowering it. Green beans stayed crisp!
- ★★★★★
The salmon was cooked to perfection and the lemon dill sauce made it feel luxurious. My kids even asked for seconds on the green beans!
- ★★★★☆
Loved the dish overall, but the sauce was slightly bland—next time I'll add extra dill. Salmon was perfect though!
