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Lemon Dill Salmon

Lemon Dill Salmon is a seared fish dish featuring a crispy exterior and flaky interior, flavored with fresh lemon juice and aromatic dill. The recipe involves pan-searing the salmon fillets to develop a golden crust while maintaining tender, moist flesh with bright, herbaceous notes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 2
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 fillets salmon fillets skin-on or skinless
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for searing
  • 1 lemon lemon juiced, plus wedges for serving
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill chopped
  • to taste salt roughly 1/2 teaspoon
  • to taste black pepper freshly ground

Equipment

  • Skillet or frying pan
  • Tongs or spatula
  • Knife
  • Cutting Board
  • Lemon juicer or reamer

Method
 

  1. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels to ensure proper searing and seasoning adherence.
  2. Sprinkle salt and black pepper evenly over both sides of each fillet, setting aside to let the spices slightly penetrate.
  3. Heat the skillet over medium-high heat and add a tablespoon of olive oil, letting it shimmer and ripple as it heats up.
  4. Place the salmon fillets in the hot skillet, skin-side down first if skinned, and press gently with a spatula to ensure contact.
  5. Sear the salmon for about 4-5 minutes, until the edges turn golden brown and the fish releases easily from the pan.
  6. Flip the fillets carefully using tongs, then cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until the interior is flaky and opaque.
  7. While the fish finishes cooking, halve the lemon and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the fillets, allowing the bright citrus aroma to infuse the fish.
  8. Sprinkle chopped dill evenly across the top of each fillet, adding a fresh, grassy aroma and flavor.
  9. Remove the skillet from heat, and transfer the salmon to a serving plate, spooning any extra pan juices over the top.
  10. Garnish with lemon wedges for an extra citrus burst and serve immediately, enjoying the crispy exterior contrasted with the tender, flaky interior.

Notes

For an even more flavorful dish, marinate the salmon with lemon zest and dill for 15 minutes before cooking.