Transform your ordinary dinner into an extraordinary feast by trying out our Garlic Butter Salmon recipe. By using a simple sheet pan method, this dish perfectly showcases the natural flavors of a salmon fillet. The end result is a perfectly cooked, flaky, and buttery piece of fish that will melt in your mouth every time you take a bite. The dish is filled with a garlicky flavor and topped with a creamy sauce made of lemon and dill. This easy recipe is sophisticated enough to impress your guests.
If you like simple dishes that are tasty enough to wow your family and friends, you are going to love this Garlic Butter Salmon with Lemon Dill Sauce. It comes together in about 20 minutes and is quite possibly the most delicious salmon recipe I've ever had.
Paired with a vegetable side, this Garlic Salmon makes a simple and elegant meal.
Recipe Highlights
EFFORTLESS, STRESS-FREE: This Garlic Butter Salmon is as simple as it gets, and absolutely foolproof. With detailed step-by-step instructions, you're in for a smooth sailing journey to a delicious meal. 🐟
SALMON LOVERS UNITE: To all my seafood enthusiasts out there, this one's especially for you! If the internet had a term for us like they do for pumpkin fans, we'd probably be 'seafood savants', right? Regardless, if you fancy the rich flavors of salmon, you'll love this dish.
THE ULTIMATE FEEL GOOD COMFORT FOOD: Whether you're cooking for a quiet dinner at home, preparing a show-stopping centerpiece for a gathering, or want to impress someone with your culinary skills, this Garlic Butter Salmon hits the spot. It's the epitome of comfort food, but the kind that will leave you feeling great!
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Salmon: The star of our show! We're using salmon fillets with the skin on for that extra flavor and crispiness. If you're not a fan of salmon, feel free to swap it out with your favorite fish like cod or halibut.
- Minced Garlic: This adds a punch of flavor that pairs so well with the salmon. If you're in a pinch, garlic powder can be used instead.
- Sea Salt & Fresh Ground Black Pepper: These classic seasonings enhance the natural flavors of the salmon. You can adjust the amounts to your liking.
- Butter: We're using melted butter to give our salmon a rich, savory note. If you're dairy-free, you could use a plant-based butter alternative or olive oil.
- Lemon Juice: This gives a bright, citrusy contrast to the rich salmon. Freshly squeezed is best, but bottled will do in a pinch!
- Sour Cream & Mayonnaise: The base for our tangy sauce. If you're not a fan of mayo, you can use all sour cream or substitute with Greek yogurt for a wholesome twist.
- Fresh Dill: Adds a fresh, herby touch to our sauce. If you don't have fresh dill, dried dill will work too.
- Lemon Zest: Provides an extra zing in our sauce. If you don't have fresh lemons, a dash of extra lemon juice can be used instead.
How to Make Garlic Butter Salmon
1 First, rub the salmon fillets with garlic. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
2 Next, preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place the salmon on a baking sheet. Combine the butter and lemon juice and drizzle over the salmon.
3 Bake for about 8 minutes, or until the center of the flesh is 120 degrees for medium-rare.
4 While the salmon is cooking, make the sauce by combining sour cream, mayonnaise, dill, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Stir until combined.
5 Finally, serve the salmon with Lemon Dill Sauce and garnish with additional dill.
Tips & Tricks
- Choose Quality Salmon: Like with any dish, quality ingredients make a big difference. I usually opt for fresh, wild-caught salmon from my favorite local fishmonger. The rich flavor and firm texture are unbeatable!
- Don't Skip the Skin: Cooking salmon with the skin on helps keep it moist and adds a deliciously crispy element. If you're not a fan of the skin, no worries - it's easy to remove after cooking.
- Master Your Garlic: For this recipe, I mince the garlic finely to distribute its flavor evenly. But if you're a serious garlic lover like me, feel free to add an extra clove or two.
- Butter Makes It Better: Using real butter in this recipe provides a richness that complements the salmon beautifully.
- Lemon Love: Fresh lemon juice adds a bright, citrusy note that cuts through the richness of the salmon and butter. I always make sure to zest the lemon first (that's where a lot of the flavor is!) before squeezing out the juice.
- Sauce It Up: The sour cream and mayo-based sauce is a game-changer. It's tangy, creamy, and packed with flavor thanks to the fresh dill and lemon. Make sure to prepare it ahead so the flavors can meld together.
- Family-Friendly Serving Suggestion: I love serving this Garlic Butter Salmon with a side of cooked quinoa and air fryer Brussels sprouts. It's a hit with both the adults and kids at my family dinners.
Storage
Leftover salmon can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
More Salmon Recipes to Try
- Ninja Foodi Grill Salmon: Bring out the grilling master in you with this super easy and delicious Ninja Foodi Grill Salmon recipe - perfect for those family BBQ nights!
- Blackstone Salmon: Get ready to impress your family with the Blackstone Salmon recipe, a delightful combination of smoky flavor and tender salmon that's just irresistible.
- Sheet Pan Salmon: Make dinner time a breeze with this one-pan wonder! Our Sheet Pan Salmon recipe is a healthy and flavorful dish that the whole family will love.
- Cast Iron Salmon: Nothing beats the classic, and our Cast Iron Salmon recipe proves it! Perfectly seared with a crispy skin, it's a surefire hit at any family meal.
20-Minute Garlic Butter Salmon with Lemon Dill Sauce
Ingredients
Salmon
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 16 ounces salmon fillets skin on
- ⅓ cup butter melted
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Sauce
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rub the salmon fillets with garlic and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Return to the refrigerator and let sit for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Place the salmon on a baking sheet. Combine the butter and lemon juice and drizzle over the salmon.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the center of the flesh is about 120 degree. (If you insert a cake tester, it should slide in and out without resistance. The meat should be relatively opaque.)
- While the salmon is cooking, make the sauce by combining sour cream, mayonnaise, dill, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Stir until combined and refrigerate until serving.
- Serve the fish with the Lemon Dill Sauce and garnish with additional dill.
Paula @ I'm Busy Being Awesome
This looks perfect! Actually perfect, I'll have to give it a go
Marta
I don't eat as much salmon as I truly want to. This recipe has just inspired me to cook some for dinner. Thanks!
annie
This sounds amazing!
Dorothy Reinhold
Salmon is always a winner at my house. I am always looking for new ways to make it. Love the lemon dill sauce!
Shayla Marie
This looks amazing! I am saving this to make for my son's birthday dinner in a few weeks, he loves salmon and always wants it for his birthday dinner! He's going to love this.
Vikki
Decided to give this a whirl and was not disappointed! So easy and delicious, my family loved it!
Monica
This looks divine. I love dill, lemon and salmon together!
Monica
This looks divine. I love dill, lemon and salmon together! That sauce looks perfect.
Helen Little
Oh how delicious, I love salmon. This is a gorgeous recipe and so healthy.
Catalina
Oh my goodness! This is my kind of weeknight dinner!
Sara Welch
This is everything a gourmet meal should be, and then some! Looking forward to making this over the weekend!