A salmon foil bake is the perfect dinner that looks fancy, is easy to make in half an hour. Pair with a creamy dill sauce for an easy weeknight dinner.
This foil bake recipe only takes about five minutes to prepare and salmon takes about 20 minutes to bake. Salmon will cook much more quickly than other proteins, so be prepared to check it periodically during the baking process.
I made this salmon recipe with lemon and dill, but you can get creative with your salmon toppings. Add in your favorite herbs such as rosemary, cilantro or thyme if dill isn’t the herb for you.
How to Cook Salmon in Foil
Making a foil bake is actually quite simple, and it makes clean up a breeze.
Generously line a regular baking sheet with foil. Add in your salmon and top with melted butter, chopped dill, lemon juice, zest and slices of lemon.
Wrap the salmon in the foil and seal the foil like a small package on the baking sheet.
Bake the salmon in the oven at 375 degrees for about 15 minutes or until desired doneness. When the salmon comes out of the oven, allow it to rest for about 10 minutes.
When is Salmon Done?
A common question with finish is, “How can I tell it’s done baking?” One of the worst sins you can commit against fish is to overcook it. Use the general guideline of cooking each pound of salmon for 12 minutes at 375.
Like any protein, you want to cook it to its perfect level of doneness. But that “perfect” doneness is different to different people.
While salmon is a fish you can actually eat raw, (look for “sushi-grade) unlike chicken or pork, you might want to cook it like you would a steak. Depending on who you are cooking for, some like their fish, or streak, medium-rare, medium, or well-done.
Salmon is considered safe to eat by the U.S. Department of Agriculture when the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees. Use a thermometer to check the internal temp of the salmon before serving.
The salmon will be done when it can be easily flaked.
What to Serve with Salmon
There are many good choices when deciding what to serve with your salmon foil bake. While you can serve this salmon by itself, there are many ways to dress it up. My favorite is serving it with a simple dill sauce. On the side, you can serve a truffled mac n’ cheese and maybe some zucchini fries.
Fresh citrus, like a lemon wedge, goes exceptionally well with fish, especially salmon. Something I like about the foil bake is that the lemons on the salmon will become a bit caramelized, which make them very yummy when squeezed on salmon.
Lemon Dill Salmon Foil Bake
Course: Dinner, LunchCuisine: American, FrenchDifficulty: Easy8
servings15
minutes15
minutes120
kcalIngredients
2 lbs salmon
juice and zest of one lemon, plus another lemon for lemon slices
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup chopped dill
Directions
- Prep. Preheat the oven to 375.
- Mix. Mix the lemon juice, zest, dill, and butter together.
- Bake. Make a “foil packet” for your salmon and drizzle your butter mixture over your salmon. Use your lemon slices and place them over the fish. Tie the foil packet together. Bake for 15 minutes.
- Rest. Let rest for 10 minutes, then serve.
