Pan-seared with lemon and butter

Pan-seared with lemon and butter recipe videos

Pan-seared with lemon and butter is a classic cooking technique, often applied to proteins like chicken, fish, or steak, where the food is seared in a hot pan and finished with a sauce made from butter, lemon juice, and often pan drippings. It is a staple of French bistro and American home cooking, prized for its rich, tangy flavor and quick preparation.

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dish is high in protein and fat, with minimal carbohydrates. It provides a good source of B vitamins and selenium from the protein, and the lemon adds vitamin C, while the butter contributes fat-soluble vitamins like A. A typical serving ranges from 300 to 500 calories, depending on the protein and amount of butter used.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	380 kcal
Protein	34 g
Carbs	1 g
Fat	26 g
Fiber	0 g
Sugar	0 g
Sodium	320 mg
Vitamin D	14.2 mcg
Vitamin B12	4.9 mcg
Selenium	41 mcg
Potassium	534 mg
Vitamin A	267 IU
Vitamin C	6 mg
Phosphorus	340 mg
Niacin (B3)	8.6 mg

Per 1 fillet (150 g) of pan-seared salmon with lemon-butter sauce · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

The technique is a cornerstone of French 'maître d'hôtel' butter, a compound butter that became a restaurant standard. Nutritionally, the lemon juice helps cut through the richness of the fat, and the vitamin C can aid in the absorption of iron from certain meats.