Baked Salmon with Lemon, Garlic, and Fresh Dill

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Table of contents:

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How to Make Baked Lemon and Garlic Salmon with Fresh Dill

Ingredients

For Salmon:

• 2 lb (1kg) salmon fillets (around 1-inch/2.5cm thick)
• A splash of extra virgin olive oil
• ½ lemon, sliced into rounds
• 6 garlic cloves, skin on, cracked
• Fresh dill (for garnish)

For Lemon-Garlic Sauce:

• Zest of 1 lemon
• Juice of 1 lemon
• A good splash of extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon white pepper
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

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Equipment Needed

• Small bowl and whisk (or fork)
• Large casserole dish
• Spatula

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Instructions

Step 1 – Prepare the sauce. 

• Preheat oven to 190°C/375°F.
• In a small bowl, mix the sauce ingredients: lemon juice, lemon zest, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, dill, paprika, garlic powder, and white pepper. 
• Whisk for 1 minute or until ingredients combine. 

Step 2 – Prepare Salmon

• Add a splash of olive oil to the bottom of the casserole dish. 
• Add the salmon fillets skin side down and cover with the sauce.
• Add a few lemon rounds on top of the sauce (around ½ lemon cut into rounds is plenty).
• Crack the garlic cloves and scatter them around the dish. Drizzle with a splash of olive oil. 
• Bake for 20 minutes on the middle shelf of the oven until the salmon is cooked through (check it at the thickest part of the fillet, it should easily break apart with a fork).

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Cooking notes:

Salmon cooking time will vary based on the thickness of your fish. 

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Guide to Buying Fresh Salmon Fillets

The best place to source your salmon fillets is at a local fishmonger. Look for salmon fillets that are a vibrant pink color and smell fresh. Ask your fishmonger for the freshest catch available, and avoid fillets that have been left out if they smell too ‘fishy’. Wild salmon will be more flavorsome and will have a deeper hue compared to farmed salmon. 

Large supermarket chains with fish counters will also sell good quality salmon. Just be sure to ask that the fillets are as fresh as possible. Don’t be put off if you only see salmon (whole or halves), many fishmongers will fillet the salmon for you and remove any bones from the fillets. 

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How to Bake Salmon Perfectly in the Oven

Salmon is very easy to bake in the oven and does not require too much effort or attention. You want to ensure the salmon is cooked through, and when it is, the salmon will be tender and flake easily with a fork or knife. Remember, the salmon fillet will continue to cook for a few minutes after removing it from the oven so be cautious not to overcook it. 

For salmon fillets around 1-inch thick (2.5cm), it will take around 20 minutes when cooked on the middle shelf of the oven at 190°C/375°F. Be sure to preheat your oven before putting the salmon in. If your salmon fillets are thicker than an inch, allow a little extra time. 

Undercooked salmon will be pale in color and slightly translucent. Perfectly cooked salmon fillets will be opaque and a pink or orange color. Overcooked salmon will tend to dry out on top and form a crust..

When plating your salmon, use an spatula. It will allow you to get a good-sized fillet piece without it flaking to pieces. 

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Serving Suggestions

Depending on the time of year, choose one or more of your favorite side dishes:

• Serve this delicious salmon recipe alongside your favorite steamed greens or side salad like tabbouleh. 
• Roasted veg also go well with this recipe. 

If you’re looking to add some carbs, serve alongside some baked potatoes (like batata harra – spicy roasted potatoes) or steamed brown rice.

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Why this Dish is Healthy

The ingredients in this dish are popular in the Mediterranean diet:

• Olive oil is healthy and nutritious, so a staple in the Mediterranean diet. It can prevent and help treat many illnesses. 
• Fish and seafood are beneficial to your health and play a large role in Mediterranean cooking. Salmon is a great source of protein and is also rich in Omega-3 fatty acids (an essential fat that our bodies can’t produce).
• Dill is one of the herbs and spices used in Mediterranean cuisine. It has many vitamins and minerals and contributes to a healthy immune system. 
• Garlic offers multiple health benefits from reducing inflammation to lowering cholesterol. 
• Lemons are a good source of vitamin C and antioxidants which can contribute to better heart health.

Nutrition Facts

Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories	279
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 12g	15%
Saturated Fat 1.8g	9%
Cholesterol 65mg	22%
Sodium 75mg	3%
Total Carbohydrate 14.3g	5%
Dietary Fiber 3.5g	13%
Total Sugars 2.5g
Protein 31.7g
Vitamin D 0mcg	0%
Calcium 111mg	9%
Iron 4mg	21%
Potassium 821mg	17%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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More Healthy Mediterranean Recipes

• Melitzanosalata (Greek Eggplant Dip)
• Turkish Beetroot Yogurt Dip with Seasonal Roasted Veg
• Baked Mediterranean Rice with Dates, Apricots, and Chickpeas
• Za’atar With Roasted Eggplant and Artichoke Hearts

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