Quick-Seared Salmon with Lemon-Dill Sauce

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-22 · Updated 2026-04-22

A light, elegant main course featuring perfectly seared salmon fillets with a bright citrus-dill sauce that comes together in under 20 minutes. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes blends (6 oz each), skin-on salmon fillets, zested and juiced lemon, finely chopped fresh dill into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 385 calories and feeds 2, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. 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

• 2 (6 oz each), skin-on salmon fillets
• 1, zested and juiced lemon
• 2 tbsp, finely chopped fresh dill
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 clove, minced garlic
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides with sea salt and black pepper. Heat olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
2. Step 2: Place salmon skin-side down in skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes until skin is crisp and golden. Flip and cook 3-4 minutes more until fish is opaque at the thickest part.
3. Step 3: Remove salmon from skillet and keep warm. Add minced garlic and lemon zest to skillet, stirring for 30 seconds until fragrant. Whisk in lemon juice, dill, and butter until sauce thickens slightly, about 1 minute.