Pan-Seared Salmon with San Francisco Bay Herb Butter and Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pan-seared salmon topped with a fragrant herb butter inspired by San Francisco Bay region herbs, accompanied by crispy roasted fingerling potatoes. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 50 minutes pairs (6 oz each) salmon fillets, fingerling potatoes, halved, unsalted butter, softened for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 American cuisine 480 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss 1.5 lbs halved fingerling potatoes with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Spread on a baking sheet in a single layer and roast for 25-30 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and crispy.
  2. Step 2: Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine 6 tbsp softened unsalted butter with 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill, 1 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon, 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives, 1 tsp lemon zest, and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Stir until well blended and refrigerate until ready to use.
  3. Step 3: Heat remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Season 4 salmon fillets with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Place salmon skin-side down and cook for 5-6 minutes until edges are crispy and fish is cooked about three-quarters through.
  4. Step 4: Flip salmon and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
  5. Step 5: Serve salmon topped with a generous dollop (about 1 1/2 tbsp) of the herb butter alongside the roasted fingerling potatoes.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Salmon with San Francisco Bay Herb Butter and Roasted Fingerling Potatoes take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 San Francisco Bay Herb Butter and Roasted Fingerling Potatoes?

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 San Francisco Bay Herb Butter and Roasted Fingerling Potatoes?

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 San Francisco Bay Herb Butter and Roasted Fingerling Potatoes 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 San Francisco Bay Herb Butter and Roasted Fingerling Potatoes?

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.

Related recipes