Baked Salmon with Dill Butter Recipe

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This salmon with dill recipe is elegant enough for entertaining, but easy enough for weeknight dinners! Prep this salmon with dill butter in just 5 minutes. Simply make the compound butter, roast the salmon, and serve. The compound butter elevates this salmon dill recipe in a delicious way. A pat of cold butter goes on top of the salmon when it comes out of the oven and it melts delicious lemon dill butter flavor into the fish. YUM. You’ll love this salmon with fresh dill. Keep the sides simple, all this salmon with dill sauce recipe needs is a veggie or salad and some good bread.

Compound butter might sound slightly fancy, but all it is is a combination of butter and herbs. This compound butter is made with lemon zest and fresh dill and gives the salmon amazing flavor.

This baked salmon with dill butter recipe was originally posted in December 2018 and updated in January 2020.

How to Cook Salmon with Dill Butter:

This salmon with dill sauce recipe takes just 5 minutes to prep! Here’s how we make it:

• Preheat oven. We’re cooking this baked salmon with fresh dill at a high temperature, so give your oven time to heat up.
• Make compound butter. Mix together softened butter, lemon zest, and chopped dill together. Roll into a log shape and refrigerate.

• Bake salmon. Place a pat of butter onto half sheet pan and add salmon to pan. Season with salt and pepper and bake for about 8-12 minutes, until it flakes easily.

PRO TIP: If you have individual salmon fillets, the cook time will be about 8 minutes, but a larger fillet will take closer to 12. It will vary slightly depending on thickness of fish.

• Serve. Top hot salmon with a pat of compound butter and serve immediately.

Salmon with Dill Recipe FAQs:

Do I have to use a whole salmon filet? 

Definitely not! Using a whole filet can be a beautiful way to showcase a stunning piece of fish if you’re serving it to guests, but this recipe will work on individual filets or a whole salmon filet. If you are using individual filets (about 6 oz.) the cooking time will just be shortened, but the other steps are the same.

What seasonings pair well with salmon? 

Salmon is incredible for so many reasons (nutrition, flavor, etc.) but it’s versatility is a big one. Salmon can be seasoned very simply with salt and pepper, or given some more flavor with fresh dill butter sauce like this recipe, or Asian flavors like soy.

What is dill sauce made of?

This salmon in dill butter sauce is sort of a cross between a sauce and a compound butter. You could make a pan sauce with lemon and dill, but I think making a compound butter is much easier, and definitely a fool-proof way to make a “dill sauce” for salmon.

The fresh dill butter is rich, but you just need a small pat for each portion of salmon. Compound butter is also a little unexpected for fish, so I think it’s fun and totally worthy of entertaining.

What temperature should salmon be cooked at?

Salmon can be cooked at many different temperatures. The cooking time will vary based on cooking temperature and salmon size.

Cook salmon to 145 degrees F. It should flake easily when done cooking.

How to Store Leftover Salmon Dill Recipe:

Store any leftover salmon with dill and lemon sauce in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

For best results, store salmon separately from lemon dill butter and reheat salmon in a 350 degree F oven, just until heated through. Top with a pat of the dill butter and serve.

How to Serve Salmon with Fresh Dill to the Whole Family:

Most of us want our kids and families to eat more salmon! If you’re kids are weary of it, my panko baked salmon is a hit with young kids so you may want to start there.

But it comes down to using the one family meal method and following the guidelines of you choosing the meal, and letting the child decide what to eat.

Remember, it can take MANY exposures to a food before children will accept it. So continue to serve it and make sure you to serve a few sides that you know they will eat.

Baked Salmon with Dill Nutrition + Substitutes:

The full nutrition stats for salmon with dill and butter can be found below the recipe card, but each 5 oz. serving has about 320 calories, 21 grams of fat, 1 gram carbohydrate, and 34 grams protein.

• Dairy-free – To easily make this dairy-free, make the dill butter with your favorite vegan butter alternative.

What to Serve with Salmon with Fresh Dill Recipe:

It’s easy to pick out simple side dishes that pair well with this salmon with dill and lemon:

• Haricots Verts – Ready in less than 10 minutes, these French green beans are an excellent side dish to salmon with dill butter.
• Broiled Asparagus – Asparagus and salmon are a great pair, and this easy recipe takes just 10 minutes.
• Simple Green Salad – This simple salad is a great side dish and pairs well with just about anything.
• Bread – Grab a loaf of high-quality bread and serve with olive oil or butter.

More Easy Salmon Recipes:

• Caesar Salmon Pasta Salad – Grilled salmon tops a pasta salad dressed with an easy homemade Caesar dressing and romaine lettuce.
• Salmon Cakes – These are best made with fresh baked salmon, but it’s easy to prep ahead for a quick meal on a busy night.
• Baked Panko Salmon – A favorite among families and young kids.
• Healthy Salmon Tacos –  These healthy tacos feature a flavorful dry rub and insane fresh dill slaw!
• Apricot Glazed Salmon – Just 3 ingredients to make this easy dinner that’s sweet and savory at the same time.

Helpful Tools to Make Salmon with Dill Sauce Recipe:

• Half Sheet Pan – This sheet pan is rimmed, making it perfect for everything from sheet pan sausage and peppers to salmon with dill and lemon.
• Microplane Zester – Easiest way to get all of the citrus zest, but also great for mincing garlic. A kitchen tool must!

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