Baked Salmon with Creamy Lemon Dill Sauce
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This 20-minute salmon with lemon dill sauce recipe feels elevated without all the effort. It’s a tasty meal your family will love!
This tried-and-true salmon recipe is quick without sacrificing flavor. The salmon is simply seasoned and baked until tender, then paired with a super fresh, herb-filled creamy yogurt sauce that complements the fish without overpowering it.
It’s ready in just 20 minutes, cleanup is minimal, and it’s one of those reliable dinners that always delivers. Any leftovers store well and are perfect for next-day lunches, tucked into sandwiches or flaked over a salad.
Key ingredients
Salmon fillets: I like to use individual fillets for easy serving, but you can use a side of salmon and bake it for a few extra minutes.
Lemon dill sauce: this simple yet flavorful sauce is made from yogurt, mayo, lemon juice, dill, capers, and garlic.
The salmon is deliciously simple so it’s the bright and fresh tasting sauce that really shines. To get a jump start on the recipe, you can make the sauce up to 4 days ahead.
Tips for the perfect salmon
Baking salmon is so easy as the oven does all the work. Here are a few tips that can help make the most flavorful, moist, and flaky salmon:
- When buying it at the grocery store or fish market, you want it to appear moist rather than dried out. This may seem obvious but moisture is a sign of freshness.
- It’s best used within a day or two of purchasing so plan to use it soon after your grocery run.
- Bake until slightly opaque. Salmon is done when it reaches 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Be careful not to overcook it or it will become dry.
Check out our 8-minute baked salmon recipe, which has lots of seasoning ideas!
Serving suggestions
While this salmon with lemon dill sauce pairs well with the traditional potatoes or rice and vegetables, here are a few other ways to enjoy it:
- In a wrap or sandwich with sliced tomato and lettuce.
- Flaked into chunks on a salad or bed of your favorite greens.
- In tacos with shredded lettuce or green cabbage.
- Served atop or mixed into noodle dishes.
- In a grain bowl with roasted vegetables over a bed of quinoa, rice or other grain.
Salmon with Lemon Dill Sauce
Ingredients
Lemon Dill Sauce
- ⅓ cup plain, Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh dill (see notes)
- 1 tablespoon capers (minced)
- 1 small garlic clove (finely minced)
- 1 pinch sea salt
Baked Salmon
- 4 5-ounce filets of salmon
- ½ teaspoon EACH: sea salt and pepper
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 8 thin lemon slices
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix the lemon dill sauce ingredients in a medium-sized bowl then place the bowl into your fridge.⅓ cup plain, Greek yogurt, 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon minced fresh dill, 1 tablespoon capers, 1 small garlic clove, 1 pinch sea salt
- Lay the salmon pieces on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Season the salmon with salt and pepper then drizzle them with olive oil and top with 2 thin slices of lemon on top of each piece.4 5-ounce filets of salmon, ½ teaspoon EACH: sea salt and pepper, 2 teaspoons olive oil, 8 thin lemon slices
- Bake the salmon for 8-10 minutes, or until it is slightly opaque. Salmon is cooked when it reaches 140 degrees Fahrenheit – do not overcook it or it will become dry. Serve the salmon with the lemon dill sauce over the top.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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This is absolutely our favorite salmon recipe and what we serve for company! So delicious!
That makes me so happy to hear! 😊 Serving it to company is such a compliment — I’m so glad it’s become your go-to. Thanks so much for sharing! 💛
This is my go to recipe for salmon! Simple and delicious!!!
That makes me so happy to hear! I’m thrilled this has become your go-to salmon recipe — thank you for coming back to make it again!