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Baked Salmon with Garlic Mayo Recipe

4.7 from 62 reviews

This Baked Salmon with Garlic Mayo is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish featuring fresh salmon fillets marinated overnight in a rich garlic and dill mayonnaise mixture, then baked to tender perfection. The creamy garlic mayo adds moisture and a punch of flavor, while fresh dill brings a bright, herbal note. Perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner or special occasion, this recipe yields moist, flaky salmon that pairs beautifully with a squeeze of lemon.

Ingredients

Scale

Salmon and Marinade

  • 2 lbs fresh salmon fillet, skin on
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise, slightly heaping
  • 8 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 5 oz fresh dill, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare the salmon: Wash the salmon fillet under cold water and gently pat it dry with paper towels to ensure the marinade adheres well.
  2. Arrange in baking dish: Line a 13×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper for easy cleanup, then place the salmon fillet skin side down in the dish.
  3. Make the garlic mayo marinade: In a bowl, combine the mayonnaise, crushed garlic, chopped fresh dill, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to form a uniform mixture.
  4. Apply marinade and marinate overnight: Spoon the garlic mayo mixture evenly over the salmon, spreading it out to completely cover the surface. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate overnight to let the flavors meld and penetrate the fish.
  5. Preheat the oven: The next day, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the correct temperature for baking.
  6. Bake the salmon: Cover the salmon with foil to keep moisture in and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. This gentle cooking method will keep the salmon tender and juicy.
  7. Serve with lemon: Remove the foil, then carefully transfer the salmon to serving plates or serve directly from the baking dish. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top to add brightness and balance the richness of the garlic mayo.

Notes

  • Marinating overnight enhances the flavor and keeps the salmon moist.
  • You can substitute fresh dill with dried dill if fresh is unavailable, but use about 1 tablespoon instead of 5 oz.
  • If you don’t have parchment paper, lightly grease the baking dish to prevent sticking.
  • Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor; bottled lemon juice can be too acidic.
  • Adjust salt and garlic to taste depending on preference.

Keywords: baked salmon, garlic mayo salmon, dill salmon, easy salmon recipe, healthy salmon dinner