Zesty Baked Salmon with Lemon and Dill Recipe: Fresh & Flavorful

Tender, flaky salmon meets a zesty culinary adventure in this mouthwatering baked salmon with lemon and dill that promises to delight your taste buds.

Fresh ingredients dance together, creating a symphony of flavors that elevate a simple fish dish to restaurant-quality perfection.

The bright citrus notes complement the rich, buttery salmon, while delicate dill adds an herbaceous complexity.

Each bite brings a burst of Mediterranean-inspired goodness that feels both sophisticated and comfortingly familiar.

Light, healthy, and incredibly easy to prepare, this recipe turns an ordinary dinner into something special.

You’ll love how quickly this dish comes together with minimal effort and maximum flavor impact.

Dive into this culinary experience and savor every delectable moment.

Baking Instructions for Lemon and Dill Salmon

• Ocean-Fresh Fish Selection

Choose a premium salmon fillet with vibrant color and minimal visible bones. Look for pieces that appear moist and have a clean, fresh scent without any strong fishy aroma.

• Flavor Infusion

Combine olive oil, tangy balsamic, bright lemon juice, and your favorite seasonings in a wide baking dish. Gently coat the salmon, ensuring every inch absorbs the delicious marinade. Let the fish rest and soak up those incredible flavors for about 30 minutes.

• Herbal Companion Sauce

Whip together creamy ingredients for a luscious dill sauce. Season with salt and pepper until the taste feels perfectly balanced. Chill the sauce to let the flavors meld and intensify.

• Bright Salsa Topping

Mix colorful, fresh ingredients to create a zesty salsa that will complement the salmon’s richness. Refrigerate to allow the ingredients to blend harmoniously.

• Oven Magic

Preheat the oven to a toasty 400°F. Slide the marinated salmon into the hot oven and bake for 12-15 minutes. Watch for the fish to become flaky and easily separate with a gentle fork touch.

• Delightful Presentation

Plate the golden salmon and generously drizzle with the herbal sauce. Crown the dish with the vibrant salsa. Squeeze fresh lemon for an extra burst of sunshine.

Tips to Brighten Baked Salmon with Herbs

• Smart Cooking Tips
• Select wild-caught salmon for richer flavor and more omega-3 nutrients, ensuring a healthier and more delicious meal.
• Check salmon's doneness by gently pressing center – it should flake easily and appear opaque, preventing overcooking and maintaining tender texture.
• Let salmon absorb marinade at room temperature for maximum flavor penetration, allowing seasonings to infuse deeply into fish before baking.
• Swap fresh dill with parsley, cilantro, or tarragon to create unique flavor profiles that complement the salmon's natural richness.
• Pat salmon skin dry before seasoning and place skin-side down while baking to achieve a beautifully crisp and golden surface without drying out the fish.

Serving Baked Salmon with Complementary Sides

• Plate with Panache: Arrange the baked salmon on a white ceramic plate, drizzle the dill sauce in an artistic zigzag pattern, and sprinkle fresh dill sprigs around the edges for a restaurant-quality presentation.
• Pair with Perfection: Serve alongside a crisp quinoa salad or roasted asparagus to complement the salmon's rich flavor and add a nutritious green element to the meal.
• Fresh Finishing Touch: Garnish with extra lemon wedges and a sprinkle of fresh chopped dill right before serving to enhance the bright, zesty flavors and add a pop of color.
• Wine Companion: Match this dish with a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to balance the salmon's richness and elevate the dining experience.

How to Store Baked Salmon with Lemon and Dill

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cool the fish completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup and maintain optimal texture.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap individual salmon portions tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen salmon stays delicious for 2-3 months when properly sealed, ensuring a quick meal option for busy days.
• Reheat with Care: Gently warm refrigerated salmon in the oven at 275°F for 10-15 minutes to prevent drying. Avoid microwave reheating, which can make the fish tough and lose its delicate flavor.
• Meal Prep Strategy: Prepare salmon, dill sauce, and salsa in advance. Keep components separate in sealed containers. This approach saves time and allows for flexible meal planning throughout the week, making dinner preparation a breeze.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 5

What You Need for Baked Salmon with Lemon and Dill

• Olive Oil: Helps distribute flavors and creates a silky coating for even cooking.
• Balsamic Vinegar: Adds depth and tangy richness to enhance salmon's natural taste.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens flavors and tenderizes the fish with its citrusy acidity.
• Salt: Amplifies the overall seasoning and brings out salmon's delicate flavor.
• Black Pepper: Provides warm, subtle heat and complements the fish's richness.

• Greek Yogurt: Creates a creamy, smooth base with a light tanginess.
• Fresh Dill: Adds bright, herbaceous notes that perfectly complement seafood.
• Lemon Juice: Introduces a zesty freshness to cut through the yogurt's richness.
• Garlic: Delivers a punchy, aromatic undertone to elevate the sauce's complexity.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Balances and enhances the sauce's overall flavor profile.

• Cherry Tomatoes: Bring vibrant color and juicy, sweet-tart burst of freshness.
• Red Onion: Provides sharp, crisp texture and a mild pungent flavor.
• Fresh Dill: Echoes the herb in the sauce and adds a delicate, aromatic touch.
• Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and helps meld the salsa's flavors together.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Seasons and heightens the salsa's natural ingredients.

Tools to Bake Lemon-Dill Salmon Flawlessly

• 9×13 baking dish: Perfect for evenly cooking and coating the salmon with marinade.
• Whisk: Essential for mixing olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, and seasonings smoothly.
• Medium bowls (2): One for preparing dill sauce, another for making fresh salsa.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise tool for accurately measuring ingredients.
• Fork: Helps check salmon's doneness by flaking the fish.
• Baking sheet: Optional alternative if using a large salmon fillet.
• Brush: Useful for spreading remaining marinade onto salmon.
• Sharp knife: Helpful for preparing salsa ingredients and garnishing.

Succulent Salmon With Lemon And Dill Recipe

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• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Succulent baked salmon with lemon and dill emerges as a Mediterranean-inspired dish packed with fresh herbal notes. Delicate fish fillets combine zesty citrus and aromatic herbs for a quick, elegant dinner that welcomes you to savor coastal flavors.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 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 cup Greek yogurt (nonfat)
• 2 tbsps mayonnaise (nonfat)
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp lemon pepper
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp sugar
• 1 tbsp chopped dill
• 1 minced garlic clove OR ¼ tsp garlic powder
• 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 OR pinch of red pepper flakes
• ½ tbsp chopped dill

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Instructions

1. Marinade Creation: Craft a zesty fusion by blending extra virgin olive oil, aged balsamic vinegar, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and selected seasonings in a spacious baking dish.
2. Salmon Preparation: Immerse salmon fillets into the marinade, ensuring complete coating by thoroughly dragging each piece through the liquid mixture. Let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes to maximize flavor absorption.
3. Oven Preparation: Ignite the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius), positioning the rack in the central position for even heat distribution.
4. Sauce Development: Whisk together dill sauce ingredients in a mixing bowl, calibrating seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Simultaneously, construct the fresh salsa in a separate bowl, allowing both condiments to chill and meld flavors.
5. Salmon Roasting: Arrange marinated salmon in a single layer within the baking dish, ensuring fillets are not overcrowded. Roast for 12-15 minutes until fish flakes delicately with a fork and achieves desired doneness.
6. Plating and Garnishing: Transfer salmon to serving plates, lavishly adorning with prepared dill sauce and salsa. Elevate the dish’s vibrancy by drizzling additional freshly squeezed lemon juice as a final flourish.

Notes

• Optimize Marination Time: Let salmon sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to absorb maximum flavor and ensure even cooking throughout the fillet.
• Temperature Control Matters: Use precise 400°F oven temperature to achieve perfectly flaked salmon without overcooking or drying out the delicate fish.
• Check Doneness Carefully: Test salmon’s readiness by gently prodding with a fork – it should easily separate and appear opaque in the center, indicating ideal cooking.
• Sauce Preparation Tip: Refrigerate dill sauce and salsa beforehand to allow ingredients to meld, creating more complex and harmonious flavor profiles.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg