Easy Pan Seared Salmon with Dill Yogurt Sauce

Juicy pan seared salmon is the easiest, healthy dinner recipe, taking less than 10 minutes from prep to plate. Serving the salmon with a no-cook yogurt sauce takes it up a few good notches. 

Ingredients

Full recipe and amounts can be found in the recipe card below. 

• Salmon. I used skin-on fillets.
• Olive oil. 
• Salt and pepper. 
• Plain yogurt. I used Greek yogurt but use any plain yogurt you have.
• Fresh garlic. 
• Dill. Fresh or dried will work.
• Lemon juice. 
• Salt and pepper. 

How to pan sear salmon

1. Season: Drizzle a little olive oil over the salmon then season generously on both sides with salt and pepper.
2. Sear: Heat a pan over high heat until very hot. Add the salmon, skin-side down, into the pan. Pan sear for 2-3 minutes on the skin side before carefully flipping over onto the flesh side. Cook for another 1-3 minutes, depending on your preferred doneness.
3. Serve: Remove the salmon from the pan and allow to rest for 2-3 minutes before serving with fresh lemon and dill yogurt sauce.

How long to cook salmon

Depending on the thickness of the filets, salmon should cook within 5-7 minutes in a hot pan. The fish will be opaque around the edges and feel firm (but not hard) when pressed. I prefer removing my salmon juicy so I only cook if for around 5 minutes. If you’re using a meat thermometer, removing your salmon from the heat when its at around 57-60ºC (135ºF) and allowing it to rest for a few minutes will result in seriously juicy, delicious salmon.

What to serve with pan seared salmon

• Smashed baby potatoes
• Cucumber, tomato and red onion salad
• 10-minute lemon garlic sautéed broccolini

Salmon recipes

1. Easy sweet chilli oven baked salmon
2. Creamy salmon pasta
3. Grilled salmon with lemon caper sauce