Marry Me Salmon with Garlic (Printable Version)

Vibrant salmon with garlic, lemon, and fresh dill—ready in just 30 minutes for a memorable dinner.

# The Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Salmon Base

01 - 2 salmon fillets, wild-caught
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
05 - 1 teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt
06 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

→ Topping

07 - 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped

→ Optional

08 - Asparagus or bell peppers, cut into pieces
09 - Lemon slices or tomato slices

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Let the marinade rest for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
03 - Place salmon fillets skin-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Arrange vegetable sides and lemon or tomato slices around or atop the salmon if desired.
04 - Brush each fillet generously with the marinade. Sprinkle chopped fresh dill evenly over the top.
05 - Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Thicker fillets may require the full 20 minutes.
06 - Remove from oven, let rest for 2 to 3 minutes, then serve hot with your choice of side vegetables and an extra squeeze of lemon juice.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It comes together in 30 minutes flat, leaving you time to set a nice table or just breathe before guests arrive.
  • The garlic and lemon create this golden, aromatic magic that makes your whole kitchen smell like something special is happening.
  • Wild-caught salmon deserves simple treatment, and this dish lets the fish shine without drowning it in unnecessary complexity.
02 -
  • Overcooking salmon is the quickest way to turn something beautiful into something dry and disappointing—watch carefully in those final minutes and pull it out the moment it flakes easily, not after.
  • The skin-side-down method matters because it acts as a natural shield, keeping the delicate flesh from drying out while the heat does its work from above.
03 -
  • Pat your salmon fillets completely dry before cooking—moisture is the enemy of that beautiful, delicate texture, so a paper towel makes all the difference.
  • If you're cooking for more than two people, this recipe doubles easily; just arrange everything on a larger sheet and add a few extra minutes to the cooking time if needed.
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