Everyone loves oven-baked salmon, right? Quick to make, minimal washing up, and all the flavour! Our Baked Salmon is cooked in lemon butter that infuses the fish with citrusy flavour and keeps the salmon moist during cooking in the oven! Served with Nigella Lawson-inspired Dill Creme Fraiche Sauce, this light and tasty dish has become our firm Fish Friday favourite!
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Why You Will Love Lemon Butter Salmon
- Easy Baked Salmon Recipe: Enjoy a delicious salmon dish without the hassle, with this simple recipe.
- Cooking Salmon Made Effortless: Discover the best way to cook salmon with minimal effort and maximum flavour. Trust us, it’s an easy recipe!
- Rich in Healthy Fatty Acids: Indulge in a nutritious meal packed with omega-3 fatty acids for a healthy boost.
- Simple Ingredients, Extraordinary Taste: Elevate your dinner with just a few basic ingredients that create a sensational flavour.
- Perfect for Busy Weeknights: Save time without compromising on taste by preparing this quick and easy salmon recipe. Quick dinner with all the flavour!
- Healthy Dinner Option: Treat yourself to a wholesome, low carb and healthy salmon dinner that satisfies both your taste buds and your health goals.
- A Must-Try for Salmon Lovers: If you’re a fan of salmon, this recipe will become your go-to choice for a delectable meal.
- Great Way to Impress: Wow your family and friends with this impressive salmon dish that looks and tastes gourmet.
What Ingredients Will You Need?
Only 4 ingredients for the lemon butter baked salmon and another 5 ingredients for the optional dill creme fraiche sauce that we recommend serving it with.
For Lemon Butter Baked Salmon
- salmon fillets: skin-on or skinless. Make sure there are no bones in the salmon fillets.
- lemon: fresh lemon juice will be added to the melted butter, and then the lemon slices will be added on top for extra flavour.
- butter: we prefer unsalted butter in this recipe. If you use salted butter, just skip the salt.
- sea salt and black pepper (or lemon pepper), to taste.
For Dill Creme Fraiche Sauce (Optional)
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 80 g creme fraiche
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1½ tsp light brown sugar (or a touch of honey)
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
How To Choose Salmon?
When it comes to selecting salmon fillets, a few considerations can make a significant difference in the flavour and quality of your dish. Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect salmon for your culinary creation.
- Opt for Wild Salmon: Look for wild-caught salmon, as it tends to have a richer flavour and higher nutritional value compared to farm-raised salmon.
- Consider the Thickness: Choose salmon fillets that have a consistent thickness throughout. This ensures even cooking and prevents overcooking or undercooking certain parts.
- Go for the Whole Side: If possible, select an entire side of salmon rather than pre-cut fillets. This allows you to have more control over the portion size and ensures freshness.
- Inspect the Color: Fresh salmon fillets should have vibrant pink or orange hues, depending on the species. Avoid any fillets with dull or faded colours, as it may indicate a lack of freshness.
- Smell for Freshness: Give the salmon fillets a sniff – they should have a mild, briny aroma. If the fish smells excessively fishy or unpleasant, it’s a sign that it may not be fresh.
- Check for Firmness: Press the flesh of the salmon gently with your finger. Fresh salmon filets should feel firm and bounce back slightly. Avoid fillets that appear soft or mushy.
- Consider the Origin: If you’re looking for specific salmon species, check the packaging or ask the fishmonger about the origin. Different regions produce different varieties, such as Alaskan salmon or Norwegian salmon, each with its unique characteristics.
How To Make Lemon Butter Baked Salmon in Under 20 Minutes?
Preheat the oven to 160°C Fan. Place the salmon fillets skin-side down on a rimmed baking sheet and dab them with a paper towel to remove extra moisture on top.
In a small saucepan, melt butter (we used unsalted). Squeeze ¼ of the lemon juice into the butter, mix and then pour the lemon butter over the salmon fillets. The butter will make sure the salmon stays moist during cooking. Season with salt and pepper.
Slice the squeezed-out lemon and place a single slice of lemon on top of each fillet for extra lemony flavour.
Place the salmon in the oven for 12-15 minutes until cooked through (note that baking time will depend on the thickness of your salmon – use 4 minutes per 1 cm thickness as a guide).
If you wish, make the Dill Creme Fraiche Sauce by mixing the creme fraiche, sugar, mustard, vinegar and dill in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Mix for a while to help the brown sugar dissolve. Head to Dill Creme Fraiche Sauce Recipe to learn more.
Serve lemon butter baked salmon with your favourite side dishes (for suggestions, have a look below). You may also choose to scatter some fresh herbs, like fresh parsley or fresh coriander on top. Enjoy!
How Can I Tell The Salmon Is Fully Cooked?
Determining whether salmon is fully cooked is crucial to achieving the perfect texture and flavour. While there are different ways to gauge its doneness, using an instant-read thermometer is the most reliable method. Here’s how you can tell if your salmon is cooked to perfection.
Firstly, consider the thickness of the salmon fillet. Thicker cuts will require a slightly longer cooking time than thinner ones. Regardless of the thickness, the general rule of thumb is to bake salmon at 375°F (190°C) for about 10 minutes per inch of thickness. However, keep in mind that cooking times may vary depending on your oven and the specific recipe.
To ensure accuracy, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the salmon. The internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C). At this temperature, the salmon will be opaque and flake easily with a fork. If you prefer your salmon slightly more well-done, you can cook it until it reaches an internal temperature of 150°F (65°C).
Alternatively, if you don’t have an instant-read thermometer, you can also check the doneness by observing the texture and colour of the salmon. The flesh should turn from translucent to opaque, and it should easily separate into flakes when gently pressed with a fork. Additionally, the salmon should appear moist and slightly pink in the centre. However, keep in mind that visual cues can be subjective, so relying on an instant-read thermometer is the best way to ensure consistently cooked salmon.
People Also Asked
At 160C Fan, your salmon fillets will cook within 12-15 minutes in the oven, depending on how thick they are (about 4 minutes per 1 cm of thickness).
One way is to wrap the salmon fillets in foil, to ensure none of the moisture escapes. This is a popular way to cook salmon, but note that wrapped in aluminum foil, salmon fillets will cook slightly quicker.
Another method that we chose to use in this recipe, is to simply introduce some moisture. The liquid will heat up and create steam around the salmon, preventing it from becoming dry. The liquid you can use is stock, dry white wine or a mixture! We have used lemon butter in this recipe for extra indulgence!
Another way is to smother it in mayo, to create a protective layer that stops the moisture from escaping – like in our Baked Salmon With Mayo recipe. 
We think Salmon goes well with a range of sauces, from Herby Basil Pistou to tropical mango salsa. Another favourite of ours is mint yoghurt!
Absolutely! Sour Cream is essentially Creme Fraiche with a lesser fat content! Sour cream or thick and creamy Greek yoghurt will work well in this dill creme fraiche sauce recipe!
Best Side Dishes for Baked Salmon:
We love this salmon with either fluffy white long-grain rice or a lovely potato side dish, like:
As no fish dish would be complete without some nutritious veggies on the side, right? Some of our favourites to go with baked salmon are:
- Tenderstem Broccoli with Garlic and Lemon
- Raw Courgette Ribbon Salad with Earl Grey Tea Salad Dressing
- Lemon and Thyme Spring Greens
- Tomato and Green Beans with Balsamic (recipe coming soon)
Other Salmon Recipes
Is salmon your favourite fish? Ours too! Have a look at some of our other main dish recipes that feature salmon as the star of the show:
- Dukkah Salmon, Aubergine & Courgette with Harissa Drizzle and Mint Yoghurt
- Sticky Soy Salmon
- Baked Salmon and Avocado Stuffed Pitta Pockets
- Smoked Salmon & Spinach Pasta
- Blackened Salmon with Mango Salsa
Recipe Card
Lemon Butter Baked Salmon with Dill Creme Fraiche Sauce
Ingredients
For Lemon Baked Salmon:
- 2 salmon fillets
- ¼ lemon
- 30 g butter melted
For Dill Creme Fraiche Sauce:
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 80 g creme fraiche
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1½ teaspoon light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 160°C Fan. Place the salmon fillets skin side down in a rimmed baking tray.
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter. Squeeze ¼ of the lemon juice into the butter, mix and then pour the lemon butter over the salmon fillets.
- Slice the squeezed-out lemon and place a single slice on top of each fillet.
- Place the salmon in the oven for 12-15 minutes until cooked through.
- In the meantime, mix the Dill Creme Fraiche sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Mix for a while to help the brown sugar dissolve.
- Serve baked salmon with dill sauce and your favourite side dishes (for suggestions, have a look in the text above). Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Jessie-Sierra Ross
This was such an easy and delicious supper! I loved the lemon and dill with the soft salmon!
Ieva
Thanks so much! Glad you liked it 🙂
Kim
I really loved the creme fraiche sauce with this dish. I can think of a million other things I’ll be using it on, too!
Ieva
Thanks, Kim! That makes me so happy! Please do let me know if you find a lovely pairing, so I can take advantage of it too 🙂
Tavo
Nothing like a comforting and healthy meal. This was perfect for Sunday night! Definitely making it again!
Ieva
So glad you like a healthier meal! We love this one after a long festive period (a.k.a 2 month long overindulging) 🙂
Louise
Simple but delicious! The dill and lemon butter are perfect with the rich salmon.
Ieva
Thank you! 🙂
Stephanie
Oh wow this looks so good! I love salmon with lemon butter sauce, and the creme fraiche takes it over the top!