Baked Salmon with Dill Butter (Printable)
Succulent salmon fillets, baked with fragrant dill butter. A simple yet elegant dish perfect for a quick dinner or special occasion.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Fish
01 - 4 salmon fillets, about 6 ounces (170 grams) each, skin-on or skinless
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - Salt, to taste
04 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Dill Butter
05 - 4 tablespoons (60 grams) unsalted butter, softened
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
07 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
08 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
09 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
→ Garnish (optional)
10 - Lemon wedges
11 - Extra fresh dill sprigs
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
02 - Gently pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Place them skin-side down on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are spaced evenly.
03 - Brush the tops of the salmon fillets with olive oil. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper according to your preference.
04 - In a small mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, finely chopped fresh dill, lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, and minced garlic. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well blended and creamy.
05 - Evenly spread a thin layer of the prepared dill butter over the top of each salmon fillet. Reserve approximately half of the dill butter mixture for serving.
06 - Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven and bake for 14 to 18 minutes, or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and is just opaque in the center. Avoid overcooking to maintain moisture.
07 - Once baked, remove the salmon from the oven and allow it to rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes. This helps the juices redistribute, resulting in a more tender fish.
08 - Top each cooked salmon fillet with a dollop of the reserved dill butter. Garnish with additional fresh dill sprigs and lemon wedges if desired for presentation and flavor. Serve immediately while warm.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It's one of those dishes that looks incredibly fancy, but honestly, it practically cooks itself.
- The dill butter is a game changer, transforming simple salmon into something utterly memorable every time.
02 -
- Never, ever overcook your salmon it goes from flaky to dry in a heartbeat, and that's a mistake I only made once.
- Using fresh dill makes all the difference here dried just won't give you that vibrant, aromatic punch this dish deserves.
03 -
- Always let your butter come to room temperature before mixing in the dill and lemon; it makes for a much smoother, more uniform spread.
- When using fresh lemon, zest it first before cutting and juicing; it's a small trick that saves a lot of hassle.