Pan-Seared Salmon with Lime Cilantro Butter Sauce
Salmon fillets pan-seared to a golden finish, topped with a zesty lime and cilantro butter sauce that brightens the rich fish flavor. This Mediterranean-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 17 minutes, pairs 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 380 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 pieces (6 oz each) salmon fillets, skin on
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp lime zest
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
Nonstick skillets worth buying → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place salmon fillets skin side down and cook undisturbed for 5-6 minutes until skin is crisp and golden.
- Step 3: Flip the fillets carefully and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until salmon is just opaque and flakes easily.
- Step 4: In a small saucepan, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter over low heat. Stir in 1 minced garlic clove and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and whisk in 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp lime zest, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro.
- Step 6: Spoon the lime cilantro butter sauce over the cooked salmon immediately before serving.








