Description
Succulent baked salmon with lemon delivers Mediterranean coastal flavors with zesty herbal notes. Delicate fish paired with citrus creates an elegant meal seasoned perfectly for home chefs seeking simple yet sophisticated dinner options.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 (6 oz/170 g) wild salmon fillets or 1 wild Alaskan salmon fillet
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp lemon pepper
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup Greek yogurt (nonfat)
- 2 tbsps mayonnaise (nonfat)
- 1 tbsp chopped dill
- 1 minced garlic clove
- ½ tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp red wine vinegar
- ¼ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp dried parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup chopped cucumber
- 3 tbsps kalamata olives (or regular), halved
- ¼ cup chopped red onion
- 2–3 tbsps crumbled feta
- ½–1 jalapeno, seeded, deveined, minced
- ½ tbsp olive oil
- ½ tbsp red wine vinegar
- ½ tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Marinade Preparation: Blend olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, and seasonings directly in a baking dish or foil-lined baking sheet.
- Salmon Coating: Immerse salmon in the marinade, ensuring complete coverage by thoroughly coating the fillet.
- Flavor Infusion: Brush remaining marinade across the salmon’s surface to maximize taste potential.
- Sauce Creation: Whisk dill sauce ingredients in one bowl, simultaneously combine fresh salsa components in another. Refrigerate both to preserve their vibrant flavors.
- Temperature Calibration: Preheat oven to 400°F, establishing an optimal cooking environment for the salmon.
- Positioning and Roasting: Arrange salmon in a single layer, ensuring even heat distribution. Roast for 12-15 minutes until fish becomes delicately flaky.
- Doneness Check: Gently test with a fork – salmon should effortlessly separate into tender segments.
- Presentation: Plate the salmon, accompanied by chilled dill sauce and fresh salsa. Finish with a bright squeeze of fresh lemon juice for an enhanced flavor profile.
Notes
- Maximize Marinade Absorption: Let salmon sit in marinade for 30 minutes to enhance flavor penetration and tenderize the fish.
- Check Salmon Doneness Carefully: Use fork test to ensure salmon is perfectly cooked without becoming dry – fish should flake easily but remain moist.
- Temperature Precision Matters: Maintain exact 400°F oven temperature for optimal salmon texture and even cooking throughout the fillet.
- Sauce Preparation Tip: Refrigerate dill sauce and salsa beforehand to preserve fresh flavors and create a cool contrast with warm salmon.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg