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Crispy Pan-Seared Salmon Recipe with Easy Zesty Lemon Dill Sauce

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A quick and easy pan-seared salmon recipe featuring crispy skin and a bright, creamy lemon dill sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 skin-on salmon fillets (about 6 ounces / 170 grams each)
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to season
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried dill)
  • ½ cup plain full-fat Greek yogurt (or dairy-free coconut yogurt)
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • Optional: pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper

Instructions

  1. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides. Let rest at room temperature for 10 minutes.
  2. In a small bowl, combine Greek yogurt, lemon juice and zest, minced garlic, chopped dill, and honey or maple syrup. Whisk until smooth and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  3. Heat a non-stick or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Heat until oil shimmers but does not smoke, about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Place salmon fillets skin-side down in the hot skillet. Press down lightly with a spatula for 10-15 seconds to prevent curling. Cook without moving for 5-6 minutes until skin is crispy and releases easily.
  5. Flip the fillets gently and add butter to the pan. Tilt the skillet and spoon melted butter over the salmon as it cooks for another 2-3 minutes until just opaque and flakes easily.
  6. Transfer salmon to plates and spoon the lemon dill sauce over the top or serve on the side. Garnish with extra dill or lemon slices if desired. Let salmon rest briefly before serving.

Notes

Pat salmon dry before cooking to ensure crispy skin. Avoid crowding the pan to prevent steaming. Press salmon down early in cooking to keep skin flat. Adjust heat to avoid burning garlic. Rest salmon after cooking for tender results. Sauce can be made ahead and chilled.

Nutrition

Keywords: salmon, pan-seared salmon, lemon dill sauce, quick dinner, healthy seafood, crispy salmon skin, easy salmon recipe

Find it online: https://goldensimmer.com/crispy-pan-seared-salmon-recipe-with-easy-zesty-lemon-dill-sauce/