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Easy Lemon Dill Butter Salmon: Best Light & Flaky Recipe

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This Easy Lemon Dill Butter Salmon is a quick, 20-minute recipe featuring tender, flaky salmon with crispy golden edges, all coated in a bright, garlicky lemon dill butter sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, it uses simple ingredients and delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz / 170g each)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (56g)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (30ml)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (15ml)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Take salmon fillets out of the fridge 10 minutes before cooking. Pat dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
  2. Zest one lemon using a microplane, then cut in half and juice to get 2 tablespoons of juice. Set zest and juice aside. Chop fresh dill and mince garlic.
  3. Place a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and heat until shimmering, almost smoking.
  4. Gently lay salmon fillets in the pan, skin-side down (or presentation-side down). Cook without moving for 4 minutes until a golden crust forms.
  5. Carefully flip the salmon. Add 4 tablespoons unsalted butter to the pan. Tilt the pan slightly and use a spoon to baste the salmon with the melted butter.
  6. Add minced garlic and lemon zest to the butter. Stir for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add fresh lemon juice and half of the chopped dill. Let bubble for 30 seconds, continuing to baste.
  7. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until salmon is opaque and flakes easily (125°F/52°C for medium, 135°F/57°C for well-done).
  8. Remove pan from heat. Spoon lemon dill butter over each fillet. Sprinkle remaining fresh dill on top. Let rest 2 minutes. Serve immediately with extra lemon wedges.

Notes

Pat the salmon very dry for the best sear. Don’t overcrowd the pan—cook in batches if needed. Watch the garlic carefully to avoid burning. Use an instant-read thermometer for perfect doneness. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days; reheat gently in a low oven or skillet.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon dill butter salmon, easy salmon recipe, quick salmon dinner, pan-seared salmon, healthy salmon, weeknight dinner, gluten-free, low-carb

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/easy-lemon-dill-butter-salmon-best-light-and-flaky-recipe/