Description
Succulent salmon meets zesty dill and creamy sauce in this quick weeknight dinner that’ll have your family asking for seconds. Fresh ingredients and simple techniques make this Lemon Dill Salmon a total game-changer for seafood lovers.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 salmon fillets
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic
Seasonings:
- 1 lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Set your oven to roast at 400°F and cover a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Use paper towels to thoroughly dry each 6-oz salmon fillet, ensuring no excess moisture remains.
- Brush 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil across both sides of the salmon, coating evenly.
- Season each salmon fillet with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance natural flavors.
- Arrange salmon fillets skin-side down on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart.
- Pour 1 cup heavy cream into a saucepan and add 2 tablespoons fresh dill, 2 minced garlic cloves, lemon zest, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, ½ teaspoon onion powder, and ½ teaspoon smoked paprika.
- Simmer the cream sauce over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring consistently until it slightly thickens.
- Carefully drizzle the entire cream sauce evenly across the prepared salmon fillets.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated 400°F oven and bake for 12-15 minutes until salmon flakes easily with a fork.
- After removing from oven, allow salmon to rest for 3-4 minutes to redistribute internal juices.
- Transfer salmon to a serving platter and spoon any remaining sauce over the top.
- Optional: Garnish with additional fresh dill sprigs for a beautiful presentation.
Notes
- Pat salmon fillets completely dry to ensure a crispy exterior and prevent steaming during baking.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half or whole milk for heavy cream and use Greek yogurt to maintain creaminess.
- Select fresh dill for the brightest flavor, and chop it just before adding to the sauce to preserve its delicate herbal notes.
- When checking salmon’s doneness, look for opaque flesh that flakes easily and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F for perfect texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Category: Salmon
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 580 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 28 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg