Sautéed Salmon with Capers and Dill

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

Pan-seared salmon fillets with a bright, briny caper-dill sauce that complements the rich fish perfectly. This scandinavian-inspired keto ready in about 18 minutes pairs salmon fillets, butter, drained capers for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 390 calories and feeds 1, 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: 10 min Cook: 8 min Serves 1 Scandinavian cuisine 390 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat salmon dry with paper towels and season with 1/8 tsp salt. Heat 1 tsp olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Step 2: Place salmon skin-side down in skillet and cook for 4 minutes without moving until skin is crisp. Flip and cook 3 minutes more until fish flakes easily with a fork.
  3. Step 3: Remove salmon to a plate, leaving oil in skillet. Add butter, minced garlic, and capers to skillet, stirring constantly until butter melts and garlic is fragrant (about 45 seconds).
  4. Step 4: Stir in lemon juice and chopped dill, then spoon the sauce over salmon immediately while hot.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Salmon with Capers and Dill take to make?

Total time is about 18 minutes (10 min prep + 8 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 Sautéed Salmon with Capers and Dill?

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 salmon fillets from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Salmon with Capers and Dill?

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 Sautéed Salmon with Capers and Dill for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). 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 Sautéed Salmon with Capers and Dill keto?

Yes — this recipe is tagged keto based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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