Best Baked Salmon with Dill
A showstopping salmon dish with a crispy skin, herb-infused butter, and a lemony glaze that melts into the flesh. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs (6 oz each) salmon fillets, softened unsalted butter, chopped fresh dill for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 (6 oz each) salmon fillets
- 4 oz, softened unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh dill
- 1, zested and juiced (2 tbsp) lemon
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pat 4 salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: In a bowl, mix 4 oz softened butter, 2 tbsp chopped dill, 2 tbsp lemon zest, 2 tbsp lemon juice, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Spread the mixture evenly over each salmon fillet.
- Step 3: Drizzle 2 tbsp olive oil over the top of the salmon. Place on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes until the skin is crispy and the flesh is flaky and just cooked through.
- Step 4: Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional dill and lemon wedges.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Best Baked Salmon with Dill take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Best Baked Salmon with Dill?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (6 oz each) salmon fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Best Baked Salmon with Dill?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Best Baked Salmon with Dill for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Best Baked Salmon with Dill?
American seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
