Recipe

A simple, comforting pan-seared salmon with lemon butter and sautéed spinach is a perfect quick dinner.

Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter

Name: Pan-Seared Salmon With Lemon Butter
Ingredients: 2 salmon fillets (6 oz each, skin-on); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 lemon (half sliced, half juiced); 4 cups fresh baby spinach; Salt and black pepper (to taste)

Global

2 servings, 20 minutes

Sources: Cross-checked against Bon Appétit and Serious Eats

Watch it made

How to Pan Sear Salmon

2 servings

You’ll need

6 items · tap to check off

Make it step by step

8 steps · 9 min of timed cooking

Pat the salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until it begins to shimmer.
Place salmon in the pan, skin-side down, and press gently with a spatula for 10 seconds to keep the skin flat.
Cook undisturbed for 4–5 minutes until the skin is crispy and releases easily from the pan.⏱ 5 min
Flip the fillets carefully and cook for another 2–3 minutes until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.⏱ 3 min
Remove the salmon from the pan and set it aside on a plate.
Add the butter to the same pan and let it melt until it foams, then toss in the spinach and cook for 1 minute until wilted.⏱ 1 min
Stir in the lemon juice, season with salt, and serve the spinach alongside the salmon with the lemon slices on top.

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Chef’s tip · For the crispiest skin, make sure the skillet is fully hot before adding the fish and don't rush the initial sear.

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