Salmon with Lemon Dill Butter
Super Easy Pan Fried Salmon with a Lemon Dill Butter. Serve with rice and a veggie to make it a meal! Ready in less than 20 minutes and only requires 5 ingredients!
Quick Navigation
Easy Pan Fried Salmon with Lemon Dill Butter
I am always looking for quick dinners than I can throw together in minutes. This Pan Seared Salmon is one of them. Buttery, flakey salmon with a hint of lemon and dill. The salmon turns out tender on the inside and super crispy on the outside. All you need for this recipe is 20 minutes and 5 ingredients!
I’ve showed you guys my method for baking salmon and now I am going to walk you through pan frying.
Searing the salmon in a hot pan keeps the salmon crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. The high heat and quick cooking helps to seal in the moisture.
5 ingredients + 20 minutes to make = The perfect weeknight dinner. Serve this salmon with rice and a veggie to make it a meal.
How to make Easy Pan Fried Salmon with Lemon Dill Butter
- Season salmon: On all sides with salt and pepper.
- Pan fry salmon: Add oil to a large skillet over medium high heat. Once hot add in salmon skin side down. (I typically do 2 at a time so I do not overcrowd the pan). Cook salmon for 5-7 minutes on skin side (depending on size).
- Flip: Very carefully flip salmon. If the skin is sticking to the pan give it more time to cook. It should release easily from the pan. Cook for 1-3 minutes on this side until the salmon looks opaque.
- Make the lemon dill butter: Meanwhile in a small saucepan melt butter, dill and lemon juice. Brush the butter mixture onto the cooked salmon.
- Serve: Take off of the heat. When the salmon is cool enough to handle peel off the skin. Serve immediately with lemon and dill for garnish.
A couple tips for cooking perfect salmon every time
- Make sure to pat down the salmon before searing. This is especially important if you are using thawed frozen salmon. This helps to get all of the excess water out of the salmon and helps it to get nice and crispy when you cook it!
- Leave the skin on the salmon during cooking. This helps the salmon stay together and not fall apart when flipping.
- Don’t try to flip the salmon if it is sticking. Give it a minute or two and it should release naturally from the pan on its on.
What to serve with Easy Pan Fried Salmon with Lemon Dill Butter
- Cilantro Lime Brown Rice
- Lemon Parmesan Rice
- Cauliflower Rice or Quinoa
- Steamed vegetables
- Mashed Potatoes
- Risotto
- Side Salad
- Creamy Confetti Corn
Here are more Easy Salmon Recipes to try!
- Sweet and Sour Salmon
- Hoisin Glazed Salmon and Veggies in foil
- Easy Teriyaki Salmon
- Super Easy Thai Salmon
- Blackened Salmon with Lime Butter Sauce
- Sweet and Spicy Honey Sriracha Salmon
Easy Pan Fried Salmon with Lemon Dill Butter
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- salt and pepper
- 4 salmon filets skin on
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh dill
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Add oil to a large skillet over medium high heat.
- Season salmon with salt and pepper.
Once hot add in salmon skin side down. (I typically do 2 at a time so I do not overcrowd the pan). Cook salmon for 5-7 minutes on skin side (depending on size).
- Very carefully flip salmon. If the skin is sticking to the pan give it more time to cook. It should release easily from the pan. Cook for 1-3 minutes on this side until the salmon looks opaque.
Meanwhile in a small saucepan melt butter, dill and lemon juice. Brush the butter mixture onto the cooked salmon.
- Serve immediately with lemon and dill for garnish.
Originally published Jul 18, 2015
