Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Dill Butter Sauce
Restaurant-worthy crispy seared salmon with a luscious garlic, white wine, and fresh dill pan sauce.
In a nutshell: This authentic french-american pan-seared salmon with lemon dill butter sauce comes together in just 22 mins using simple whole ingredients. The chef's secret is to Surface moisture creates steam and ruins searing. Blot the salmon thoroughly on both sides. Perfect for home cooks seeking a dependable, restaurant-quality finish with minimal effort.
Elevate your dinner routine with this 22-minute gourmet seafood masterpiece! Fresh salmon fillets are pan-seared in a smoking hot skillet until the exterior forms a crackling golden crust while the interior stays tender, buttery, and flaky. The pan is deglazed with white wine, garlic, fresh lemon juice, and chopped dill for an irresistible pan sauce.
Key Equipment
- Heavy Stainless Steel or Cast-Iron Skillet
- Thin Metal Fish Spatula
- Paper Towels
- Instant-Read Meat Thermometer
Chef's Pro-Tips
- Pat the Fillets Bone-Dry: Surface moisture creates steam and ruins searing. Blot the salmon thoroughly on both sides with paper towels immediately before adding to the pan.
- Don't Move the Fish: When you lay the salmon into the hot oil, leave it undisturbed for the first 4 minutes. As the golden crust forms, it will naturally release cleanly from the pan without sticking.
- Cold Butter Pan Sauce: Whisk the remaining cold butter into the sauce off the heat. Cold butter creates a thick, glossy French emulsion (beurre blanc) instead of melting into oily separation.
Ingredients
4
servings
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4 fillets (6 oz each) fresh salmon fillets, skin-on or skinless
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1 tbsp olive oil, with high smoke point
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3 tbsp unsalted butter, cold, divided into 1 tbsp and 2 tbsp
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3 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced
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¼ cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc (or chicken broth)
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2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice, about 1 juicy lemon
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1 tsp fresh lemon zest, finely grated
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2 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
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¾ tsp kosher salt
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½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
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1 whole lemon, sliced into wheels for garnish
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Step-by-Step Instructions
Dry & Season the Salmon
Blot both sides of each salmon fillet completely dry with paper towels. Season generously all over with kosher salt and cracked black pepper.
Pan-Sear to a Golden Crust
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large heavy skillet (preferably stainless steel or cast iron) over medium-high heat until shimmering. Carefully lay the salmon fillets flesh-side down (or skin-side down if you prefer crispy skin). Gently press down with a fish spatula for 10 seconds. Sear undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until deeply golden.
Flip & Gently Finish Cooking
Carefully slide your fish spatula underneath each fillet and flip over. Reduce heat to medium and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the salmon is opaque and just cooked through (internal temperature of 125°F-130°F for tender medium). Transfer salmon to a warm serving platter.
Whisk Lemon Dill Butter Sauce
Lower heat to medium-low. Add minced garlic to the skillet drippings; sauté for 30 seconds until aromatic. Pour in white wine (or broth) and lemon juice, scraping up any caramelized bits from the bottom. Simmer for 1-2 minutes until liquid reduces by half. Remove skillet from heat, whisk in remaining 2 tablespoons cold butter, fresh dill, and lemon zest until silky. Spoon warm sauce generously over the salmon and serve.
Chef Clara's Kitchen Picks
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View on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
You can replace white wine with an equal amount of low-sodium chicken broth, vegetable broth, or seafood stock combined with an extra splash of fresh lemon juice.
An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part should read 125°F-130°F for medium (tender, moist, and flaky). The flesh will gently flake apart along the grain when pressed with a fork.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat with a teaspoon of butter or water, covered with a lid, for 4-5 minutes to prevent drying out.
Pair with roasted asparagus, steamed broccolini, garlic smashed baby potatoes, or a bed of fluffy wild rice pilaf.