Baked Salmon Dill Butter (Print Version)

Tender salmon fillets topped with aromatic dill butter, baked for a flavorful and easy meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fish

01 - 4 skinless salmon fillets, 6 oz each
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
05 - 1 lemon, sliced

→ Dill Butter

06 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
08 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
09 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
10 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
02 - Pat salmon fillets dry and place skin-side down on the baking sheet.
03 - Drizzle olive oil over fillets and season evenly with kosher salt and black pepper. Top each with a lemon slice.
04 - Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes until just cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
05 - While baking, combine softened butter, fresh dill, lemon zest, minced garlic, and salt in a small bowl. Mash until blended.
06 - Remove salmon from oven and immediately top each fillet with a generous dollop of dill butter, allowing it to melt over the hot fish.
07 - Serve immediately, garnished with additional dill or lemon wedges as desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The whole thing comes together faster than ordering takeout, yet tastes like you've been cooking all afternoon.
  • That herby, lemony butter melting into the hot salmon is the kind of moment that makes you feel like a real cook.
  • It's elegant enough for guests but easy enough that you won't stress in the kitchen.
02 -
  • Salmon continues to cook after you pull it from the oven, so take it out when it still looks just barely done—it'll be perfect by the time you plate it.
  • The dill butter is the whole point; don't skimp on it or try to use margarine instead of real butter, or the dish loses its soul.
03 -
  • Room-temperature salmon cooks more evenly than cold-from-the-fridge salmon, so pull it out about ten minutes before you start prepping everything.
  • The absolute secret is using fresh dill and real butter—these two things are what separate a forgettable dinner from a moment people remember.

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