Herb-Crusted Baked Salmon with Lemon Butter

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Salmon fillets baked with a fragrant herb crust and finished with a tangy lemon butter sauce for a delicate, flavorful dish. This general-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs (6 oz each), skin on salmon fillets, finely chopped fresh parsley, finely chopped fresh dill for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp finely chopped parsley, 2 tbsp finely chopped dill, 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Pat dry 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each) and brush the flesh side with 2 tbsp olive oil. Press the herb and breadcrumb mixture evenly onto the flesh side of each fillet.
  3. Step 3: Place salmon fillets skin-side down on a lined baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes until the crust is golden and the salmon flakes easily with a fork.
  4. Step 4: While salmon bakes, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add 1 minced garlic clove and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp lemon juice.
  5. Step 5: Remove salmon from oven and drizzle the lemon butter sauce over each fillet before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Herb-Crusted Baked Salmon with Lemon Butter take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 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 Herb-Crusted Baked Salmon with Lemon Butter?

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 finely chopped fresh parsley from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Herb-Crusted Baked Salmon with Lemon Butter?

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 Herb-Crusted Baked Salmon with Lemon Butter 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 Herb-Crusted Baked Salmon with Lemon Butter?

General 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.

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