Baked Salmon with Dill Butter (Printable)
Tender salmon topped with dill butter, oven-baked for a flavorful and quick main dish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Fish
01 - 4 skinless or skin-on salmon fillets, 6 oz each
→ Dill Butter
02 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
03 - 2 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
04 - 1 garlic clove, minced
05 - 1 tsp lemon zest
06 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
07 - 1/4 tsp salt
08 - 1/8 tsp black pepper
→ Garnish (Optional)
09 - Lemon wedges
10 - Fresh dill sprigs
# How-To Steps:
01 - Heat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
02 - Combine softened butter, chopped dill, minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Mix thoroughly.
03 - Place salmon fillets skin-side down if applicable on the prepared baking sheet.
04 - Evenly spread the dill butter over the top of each salmon fillet.
05 - Bake salmon for 15 to 18 minutes, until it flakes easily and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
06 - Remove from oven and let the fillets rest for 2 minutes.
07 - Garnish with lemon wedges and fresh dill sprigs if desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Dinner is ready in under 30 minutes, but tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
- The dill butter melts into the salmon, making every bite buttery and herbaceous without any fuss.
- It's naturally gluten-free and works for pescatarian meals, so there's no guilt about feeding everyone at the table.
02 -
- Don't skip the resting step; those 2 minutes let the salmon finish cooking gently and stay moist instead of becoming flaky and dry.
- Check the salmon's doneness by look and fork, not timer; every oven runs differently, and you'll know it's perfect when it flakes with just a little pressure.
03 -
- Use a zester instead of a grater for lemon zest so you get the bright oils without the bitter white pith underneath.
- Bring your salmon to room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes before baking; it cooks more evenly and stays juicier in the center.