Tender Baked Salmon Fillet (Printable)

Salmon fillet baked to perfection with lemon, herbs, and garlic for a healthy, flavorful meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fish

01 - 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each), skin-on or skinless

→ Marinade

02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
04 - 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
05 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried)
07 - 1 teaspoon fresh dill, chopped (or ½ teaspoon dried)
08 - ½ teaspoon salt
09 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish

10 - 1 lemon, sliced into rounds
11 - Fresh dill or parsley, chopped (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, thyme, dill, salt, and black pepper.
03 - Place the salmon fillets on the prepared baking tray, skin-side down if applicable. Brush the marinade evenly over each fillet.
04 - Top each salmon fillet with a lemon slice.
05 - Bake the fillets for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and is opaque in the center.
06 - Sprinkle fresh dill or parsley over the salmon before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The entire dish comes together in under 30 minutes, no fussy techniques required.
  • Salmon practically cooks itself, leaving you free to set the table or pour a drink.
  • The herb and lemon marinade tastes elegant enough for guests but easy enough for a weeknight.
02 -
  • Don't walk away from the kitchen during those last few minutes—salmon cooks faster than you expect, and dry fish is nearly impossible to rescue.
  • If your fillets are thicker than average, they need a couple extra minutes, so check the center rather than watching the clock.
03 -
  • If you have time, brush the marinade onto the salmon and let it sit in the refrigerator for 15 to 30 minutes before baking—the flavors deepen and the fish absorbs more of the herb essence.
  • Buy salmon from a fishmonger you trust; quality fish needs less adornment and tastes noticeably better.

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