Seafood

Feb 9, 2021

Baked Salmon with Lemon Dill Sauce

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 20

BY: Kylie Mazon-Chambers

5 from 7 votes

Creamy lemon dill sauce is served ladled over baked Atlantic salmon.

baked salmon with lemon dill cream sauce.

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This baked salmon with lemon dill cream sauce is a family favorite and a recipe that’s been passed down for years. My uncle, a chef, first taught me how to make this simple yet elegant sauce, and it has been a staple ever since. The rich, creamy dill sauce perfectly complements the tender, flaky salmon, while fresh lemon juice adds just the right amount of brightness. Served with rice and seasonal vegetables like asparagus, green beans, or sautéed spinach, it makes for a quick and impressive weeknight dinner. If you’re in the mood to keep cooking, maple roasted salmon and crispy salmon with soy tamarind sauce are great next steps

fillet of salmon with sprigs of fresh dill.

Atlantic salmon fillets topped with olive oil salt and pepper on baking sheet.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Flavorful sauce. The rich, tangy lemon dill sauce is elegant, flavorful, and ideal for pairing with tender baked salmon.
Weeknight recipe. The sauce and salmon pairing come together quickly for an easy weeknight dinner.

Key Ingredients in This Recipe

Salmon – While the most common type of salmon sold in stores is Atlantic salmon, there are many other varieties. Atlantic salmon is much fattier and thicker than sockeye salmon. The salmon is seasoned simply with salt and pepper before it’s roasted in the oven at a high heat until it’s just cooked through.
Dill – While I love fresh dill, I feel using dried dill in the sauce is best because the bits of herb don’t stick together though I love garnishing with bits of fresh dill.
Cream – I add heavy cream, the thick part of the milk that rises to the top due to its high fat content to create a rich, creamy sauce.

A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

pro tip

Don’t substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream, the lemon juice will cause it to curdle.

Best Temperature to Bake Salmon

This method of cooking salmon is extremely simple. Salmon doesn’t take long to cook, even when the fillets are thicker. Cooking salmon at 425ºF (220ºC) ensures the salmon cooks quickly giving it a buttery texture without drying it out. A good rule of thumb is to plan for about 6 minutes per half inch of thickness. Keep in mind it will continue to cook as the salmon cools. To check if the salmon is done, use a fork to flake a piece off the side.

Cooking tips

I like baking sheets that offer nonstick qualities like these Williams Sonoma Goldtouch pans. If your baking sheets are not non-stick I recommend lining the baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil to prevent sticking and easier cleanup.
While I use a baking sheet the salmon can also be cooked in a baking dish.

baked salmon with lemon dill cream sauce over white rice with green beans topped with lemon wedge.

How to Make Lemon Dill Salmon

Make the lemon dill sauce. Add the wine, lemon juice, shallot and garlic to a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Lower the heat to medium-low then add the dried dill and simmer until the wine has reduced by just over half, about 10 minutes.
Finish the sauce. Whisk in the cream and continue to simmer over medium-low heat until the sauce has thickened, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the butter, one cube at a time until emulsified into the sauce. Season with salt, to taste.
Add salmon to baking sheet. Heat oven to 425ºF (220ºC). Add the salmon fillets to a baking sheet, skin-side down.
Bake the salmon. Drizzle the salmon fillets with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast until just cooked through, about 12 to 15 minutes.
Serve. Add the salmon to plates and ladle the sauce over the top. Serve with rice and vegetables.

how to make lemon dill sauce for salmon in this easy dinner.

Serving suggestions

I like serving this creamy lemon dill sauce recipe over rice and blanched and sautéed green beans though it also pairs well with the following:

Roasted potatoes
Grilled asparagus
Sautéed spinach

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Can I substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream in the lemon dill sauce?

No! Don’t substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream, the lemon juice will cause it to curdle.

What is the best oven temperature for cooking salmon?

Salmon doesn’t take long to cook, even when the fillets are thicker. Cooking salmon at 425ºF (220ºC) ensures the salmon cooks quickly giving it a buttery texture without drying it out. A good rule of thumb is to plan for about 6 minutes per half inch of thickness.

What should I serve with baked salmon with lemon dill sauce?

This dish pairs wonderfully with rice and blanched and sautéed green beans though I recommend serving it with roasted potatoes, grilled asparagus or sautéed spinach.

How can I store leftovers?

Store salmon with sauce in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat gently to avoid drying out.

Other Recipes to Try

If you enjoy this baked salmon recipe, I recommend checking out some of these:

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