Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon-Pepper Crust

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-14 · Updated 2026-04-14

Salmon fillets with a golden, herby crust seared to perfection and finished with a zesty lemon butter sauce. This American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs salmon fillets, black pepper, lemon zest for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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), skin-on salmon fillets
• 1.5 tsp, freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 2 tbsp, chopped dill
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp olive oil

The instant-read thermometer we’d check this salmon with → Best Instant-Read Thermometers for 2026: Fast, Accurate Picks Under $100

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each) dry with paper towels; season both sides evenly with 1.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper, 1 tsp lemon zest, and 2 tbsp chopped dill.
2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering; place salmon skin-side down and cook for 7 minutes until skin is crisp and golden.
3. Step 3: Flip salmon and cook for 3-4 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 125°F (52°C) for medium-rare.
4. Step 4: Remove salmon from skillet; add 2 tbsp unsalted butter and 1 tbsp lemon juice to the pan, swirling to create a sauce for 1 minute until butter melts and emulsifies.
5. Step 5: Drizzle sauce over salmon and serve immediately with extra lemon wedges.