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

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A quick and easy recipe for perfectly crispy salmon skin paired with a smooth, tangy creamy lemon dill sauce. Ideal for busy weeknights or impressing guests with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each), skin-on, preferably wild-caught
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • ½ cup cottage cheese (small-curd)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about half a lemon)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried dill)
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt (or dairy-free coconut yogurt for vegan)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup

Instructions

  1. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika if using. Let rest at room temperature for about 10 minutes.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, lemon zest, chopped dill, minced garlic, honey, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy. Chill until ready to serve.
  3. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add olive or avocado oil. Heat until shimmering but not smoking, about 2 minutes.
  4. Place salmon fillets skin-side down in the hot pan. Press gently with a spatula for 10 seconds to prevent curling. Cook without moving for 4-5 minutes until skin is golden and crispy.
  5. Flip the salmon carefully and cook for another 2-3 minutes until fish flakes easily but remains moist.
  6. Remove salmon from pan and let rest for 2 minutes. Serve topped with a generous spoonful of creamy lemon dill sauce.

Notes

Pat salmon dry before cooking to ensure crispy skin. Use a hot pan and do not move the fish until the skin naturally releases. Avocado oil preferred for higher smoke point. Sauce can be made ahead and chilled. For dairy-free, substitute cottage cheese and Greek yogurt with coconut yogurt or silken tofu.

Nutrition

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

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