Description
A quick and easy one-pan weeknight dinner featuring wild-caught salmon fillets seared in a skillet with a rich, bright sauce made from butter, garlic, fresh lemon, and herbs.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 salmon fillets (about 6oz each / 170g)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon capers (optional)
- Lemon zest from 1 lemon
Instructions
- Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers.
- Place salmon fillets in the pan, skin-side down if applicable. Cook undisturbed for 5-6 minutes until the color changes halfway up the side.
- Flip the salmon gently and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Remove salmon from the pan and set aside on a plate, covering loosely with foil.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Add butter to the same skillet and let it melt and foam.
- Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 30-60 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant but not brown.
- Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, oregano, and dill. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Place the salmon back in the pan and spoon the sauce over the top. Serve immediately.
Notes
Pat the salmon dry before cooking to ensure a good sear. Do not crowd the pan; cook in batches if making more than two fillets. Remove the pan from heat before adding lemon juice to prevent the sauce from breaking. Salmon continues to cook after removal from heat, so remove when slightly translucent in the center for medium-rare.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet with sauce
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Protein: 25
Keywords: salmon, one-pan dinner, quick meals, weeknight dinner, healthy seafood, garlic lemon sauce, keto friendly, gluten-free