Baked Lemon Dill Salmon

This Lemon Dill Salmon is one of the best and easiest recipes for baking fish in the oven! Salmon fillets are placed in a baking dish, coated with a butter sauce full of garlic and fresh dill, topped with lemon slices, and then baked until perfectly flaky. This low-carb, keto, Whole30 and Paleo-friendly recipe can be ready and on your dinner table in under 20 minutes!

Lemon Dill Salmon Recipe

How could something so simple be so LOADED with flavor?!

This is a question I often ask myself whenever I make salmon of any kind. (Like these great recipes—Lemon Basil Salmon, Salmon Curry, Blackened Salmon…)

Now this Lemon Dill Salmon has absolutely stolen my heart.  And I have a feeling it’s going to win you over, too.

With its super flaky flesh, fresh dill flavor, hints of garlic and butter, and then JUST enough lemon juice to balance it all out.

Even those loved ones of yours who didn’t think they liked salmon before will soon be humming a different tune.

And you, my dear one, will be over the moon excited to learn how EASY this recipe is to make!

Yup, I’m talking slice up some fillets, plop them in a baking dish, coat them in a 5-ingredient butter sauce, and then bake it in the oven.

The entire process, from start to finish, will be done in less than 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights!

Not to mention, this easy meal is also low-carb, keto, Whole30, and Paleo-approved – so just about everyone at the table can enjoy this delicious dinner.

Ingredients

The simple ingredients needed for this lemon dill salmon recipe are easy to find at grocery stores and include:

• Salmon. You will need one pound of salmon.  It’s preferable if you can find a center cut in order to make all of the fillets similar in size.  (The tail end tends to taper out and become less thick.). Also, wild salmon is the healthiest option for you. Fresh instead of frozen salmon will taste the best and have a better texture.  However, farm-raised and previously frozen salmon can both be used.
• Dill. Fresh dill is finely chopped and then whisked together into a butter garlic sauce. The dill is a wonderful complement to the savory butter and the pungent garlic. Dried dill can also be used, but only use 1 teaspoon of it. Other fresh herbs may also be substituted such as rosemary, thyme, or even basil.
• Garlic. Minced garlic cloves are a key component to the garlic butter sauce. When you’re drizzling the sauce over the salmon, make sure the garlic is spread out over all of the fillets. If not, someone may end up getting a big ole’ bite of too much garlic!
• Butter. Just a few tablespoons of butter are needed to create the simple sauce. Salted butter was used when testing this recipe, but unsalted can be used if you’d like to adjust the sodium to your preference.  Feel free to substitute with a dairy-free butter alternative, olive oil, avocado oil, or even ghee.
• Lemons. One lemon is cut into 4 slices and then baked in the oven. It’s best if you keep the lemon in slices so the juices slowly release while baking. Mixing lemon juice into the sauce will give the finished dish a more pungent flavor.

How to Bake Lemon Dill Salmon

Below you’ll find the steps to make this easy salmon recipe:

Cut the Salmon Fillets into Pieces

While you can bake the whole fillet of salmon, it cooks up faster if it is cut into pieces before baking.

Also, do not remove the skin!  It’s actually much easier to remove salmon skin after it is cooked.  It will literally peel right off with very little effort!

Cut the salmon into four 4-ounce portions. It gets a little challenging to cut once you get to the skin, so it’s best if you use a relatively sharp knife.

Make the Garlic Butter Dill Sauce

The sauce for this baked salmon recipe is incredibly easy to make and only takes five ingredients.

Simply whisk together the melted butter, garlic, dill, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.

Pro Tip:  Make sure the butter is melted so the sauce mixes together easily.

Season the Salmon

Once you have the salmon and the sauce prepared, it’s time to bake it in the oven.  

Place salmon pieces, skin-side down, into a 9″x13″ baking dish or sheet pan that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Make sure they each have a little space in-between them so they cook up evenly. 

Drizzle equal amounts of the creamy dill sauce over all of the salmon.  Spread the sauce so the garlic and herbs are evenly dispersed. 

Bake in the Oven

Place one lemon slice on top of each piece of salmon. Try to use a lemon that is about the same diameter as the portions are wide. 

Cover the baking dish with a piece of aluminum foil and bake in the preheated 425°F oven for 13-15 minutes. The cooking time varies; you’ll need less time for pieces less than 1-inch thick and slightly more time for those that are more than 1-inch thick. 

Remove the aluminum foil during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking and return it to the oven. Doing this allows the edges to crisp up slightly. You’ll know the salmon is done when it reaches 145°F. (Learn more about measuring the internal temperature of salmon).

Sprinkle salmon with some fresh lemon juice, additional dill, and fresh lemons as garnish if desired.

Meal Prep and Storage

• To Prep Ahead:  Whisk together the sauce and prep the salmon in the baking dish.  Leave off the lemon slices until just before baking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking.
• To Store: Leftover salmon can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or frozen for up to 3-4 months.
• How to freeze: Place in a freezer-safe airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
• To Reheat:  The best way to reheat this baked lemon salmon is to pop it back into a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes. You can also heat it up in a covered skillet over medium-low heat for 4-5 minutes.

Dietary Modifications

The recipe you’ll find below is already keto, low-carb, soy-free, nut-free, gluten-free, and Paleo as written.  Here are some adjustments you can make to help it fit your other dietary requirements:

• Dairy-Free: Use olive oil or a dairy-free butter alternative in place of the butter.
• Whole30: You can use one of the alternatives above for the butter or you can also use ghee.

How long to bake lemon dill salmon?

This lemon dill salmon only needs to bake for 15 to 18 minutes. Be sure to remove the foil the last few minutes so the edges get that perfect crispiness. Salmon is cooked through when the thickest portion reaches an internal temperature of 145°F and the fish flakes easily with a fork. Learn more about reaching the ideal internal temperature for salmon.

Is salmon good for you?

Yes! Salmon is super healthy and an excellent choice for protein. It is full of healthy fats and nutrients that benefit your eyes, heart, skin, and brain. Salmon is great if you’re on a low-calorie diet.

Can you freeze salmon?

You can freeze salmon. It will safely last in the freezer for up to 3 months if it is properly stored.

How long is salmon good for?

Once salmon has been cooked, it will last for up to 3 to 4 days in your fridge. Be sure to refrigerate the salmon within two hours of cooking.

Expert Tips and Tricks

• Be picky.  Wild salmon is healthier than farm-raised while fresh has more flavor and a better texture than previously frozen.
• Leave the skin.  This part of the salmon becomes much easier to peel after the fish is done baking.
• Cut into filets.  Smaller portions of salmon cook much faster and more evenly than cooking a whole pound of salmon at one time.
• Add some zest. A little lemon zest in the butter sauce will add an even bigger punch of citrus flavor to the sauce, making it good to the last bite!
• Change it up.  Dill is the best herb to use with salmon, but fresh basil, rosemary, and thyme will all work great.

What to Serve with Lemon Dill Salmon?

This lemon dill salmon is the star of the show, but any good main attraction needs a few accompaniments.  So here are a few side dishes that go well with this flaky salmon.

Air Fryer Broccoli with Parmesan, Roasted Cauliflower, Chinese Green Beans with Garlic, and Broccoli Slaw are healthy and delicious side options.

You can’t go wrong with a Massaged Kale Salad with Avocado.

If you’re craving something heartier, try these Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries or Instant Pot Mashed Red Potatoes.

More Salmon Recipes

Salmon is one of my favorite protein sources, and there are SO many ways to enjoy it. Try one of these healthy recipes next.

Miso Glazed Salmon, Teriyaki Glazed Salmon, Honey Sriracha Salmon, and Salmon Curry with Coconut Milk are full of ethnic flavors.

For a quick meal, try this Air Fryer Salmon, Blackened Salmon, Baked Pesto Salmon, or Smoked Salmon Dip.

Panko Crusted Salmon and Salmon Piccata are crowd pleasers.

And don’t miss out on these Salmon Burgers!

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