Description
A quick, healthy, and flavorful weeknight dinner that takes only 20 minutes to prepare. This baked salmon features a bright lemon-garlic-dill topping, requiring minimal cleanup and delivering restaurant-quality taste.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 to 2 pounds salmon fillets (about 1-inch thick)
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 lemons (one for juice/zest, one for slicing)
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Sea salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Rinse salmon fillets and pat them completely dry with paper towels. Place on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine minced garlic, lemon zest, chopped fresh dill, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir in the olive oil to form a paste.
- Sprinkle salmon fillets lightly with salt and pepper. Spoon the lemon-dill-garlic paste generously over the top of each fillet, spreading it evenly.
- Lay 2-3 thin lemon slices on top of each fillet.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon turns from translucent orange to opaque pink and flakes easily with a fork.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 2 minutes before serving.
Notes
Pat the fish dry before seasoning to ensure proper baking texture. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary. Fresh dill and lemon zest are essential for flavor. Salmon continues to cook slightly after removal from the oven, so pull it when just barely done. For storage, keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet per serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 0.5
- Sodium: 280
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 2.5
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 34
Keywords: baked salmon, healthy dinner, weeknight meals, lemon garlic salmon, dill salmon, gluten-free, dairy-free, keto, low-carb, easy recipes