Easy Baked Lemon Dijon Salmon
Dinners don’t get easier than this Baked Lemon Dijon Salmon! It’s tender and juicy, with a flavorful sauce that includes fresh lemon, olive oil, dijon mustard and fresh thyme. It takes just minutes to prep and it’s ready in 20 minutes!
My family loves salmon, so I never have enough salmon recipes. That said, we have several go-to’s including my broiled salmon with sweet and spicy rub and garlic butter salmon.
This easy lemon Dijon salmon recipe is the recipe that I make the most. It takes just 20 minutes to prepare, and it’s so fresh and satisfying.
The bright and tangy Dijon mustard sauce is a simple combination of lemon juice, thyme, garlic, Dijon, and olive oil. The sauce takes mere minutes to prep, then I slather it over my salmon fillets and bake them up.
The savory flavor of the mustard paired with the brightness of the lemon and pungent garlic work so well together. This dish pairs beautifully with almost anything too.
No wonder I make it all the time. 🙂
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Lemon Dijon salmon is a quick and easy recipe that’s done in 20 minutes.
- It’s made with just 6 basic ingredients, plus salt and pepper.
- The salmon can be meal prepped and reheated throughout the week to enjoy for lunch or dinner.
- The lemony Dijon mustard sauce adds so much flavor without masking the fresh flavor of the salmon.
Recipe ingredients
You shouldn’t need to run to the grocery store for any of the ingredients in this recipe. The Dijon sauce is easy to customize, and I’ve noted possible ingredient substitutions below.
- Salmon. I always look for fresh, wild-caught salmon. It’s a sustainable choice and it has the best flavor as well. If using frozen salmon, be sure to thaw it in the fridge overnight before using and blot dry well.
- Olive oil. May be replaced with your favorite cooking oil.
- Dijon mustard. Has a sharp, tangy, slightly spicy flavor that’s complemented by the lemon.
- Garlic. You’ll need just 1 clove of garlic for this recipe.
- Lemon. You’ll be using lemon juice as well as lemon slices for placing on top of the salmon. For extra lemon flavor, you can add lemon zest to the mustard sauce.
- Thyme. Fresh thyme is preferred, but half the amount of dried thyme may be substituted. Sub with your favorite herbs.
See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and quantities.
How to make this recipe
This lemon dijon salmon takes only 5 minutes of hands-on prep, which I love.
Pro tip: The cooking time will vary based on the thickness of your salmon. A good rule of thumb is about 10 minutes of cook time per inch.
See the recipe card below for full instructions.
- Make the Dijon sauce. Combine the olive oil, dijon, lemon juice, garlic, and thyme together in a small bowl.
- Spoon the sauce over the salmon. Use just half of the sauce for now.
- Assemble and bake. Place lemon slices over the salmon and bake for about 10 minutes.
- Add the rest of the sauce. Remove the salmon from the oven, spoon the remaining dijon mixture over the fillets, and finish cooking.
Recipe FAQs
First, the thickness of the fish will determine how long you need to cook it. A good rule of thumb is about 10 minutes of cook time per inch, so purchasing salmon fillets that are the same thickness is ideal.
Next, the doneness of your fish will also be a factor. If you’d like your fish to be cooked to medium or still pink in the center, 10-12 minutes for a fillet that’s 1″ thick should be just right.
If you like your salmon cooked all the way through, 15 minutes or so of cooking time should be adequate. I prefer my salmon cooked medium in order to get a nice moist fillet. When you cook it through, the salmon can dry out easily.
The salmon is done when a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 145 degrees F.
Yes, you may use any type of mustard you like.
Dijon is slightly spicy and sharp, with a nuanced mustard flavor. Good substitutes include stone ground or coarse ground mustard, honey mustard, or whatever you have on hand.
You’re welcome to use frozen salmon. You’ll need to thaw it overnight in the fridge first, then pat with clean paper towels to remove any excess moisture.
Serving suggestions
Serve this simple baked salmon slathered in Dijon mustard sauce with your favorite salads, veggies, or grains.
- Serve it with a side of coconut rice, Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, or creamy mashed cauliflower.
- Prep a batch of roasted green beans or roasted artichokes to pair with the salmon.
- It’s a great spring or summer meal when paired with tomato corn salad or Greek orzo salad.
- Add the salmon to this strawberry feta salad or asparagus salad.
Recipe notes
- Pro tip: I often serve the Dijon salmon as a sheet pan supper as well with potatoes and vegetables like I did with my sheet pan chicken thighs. If you’d like to do that, simply follow the instructions for this recipe and add the fish during the last 15 minutes or so of cooking time.
- The Dijon sauce is also wonderful as a marinade for chicken!
- You can also cook this entire dish in advance and portion it into dishes with your favorite grains, rice, vegetables and salad for lunch or weeknight dinners.
More easy salmon dinners you’ll love
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Did you try this recipe? If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram
Baked Lemon Dijon Salmon
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb. wild salmon fillets
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice plus lemon slices for topping
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the salmon fillets on a foil or a silpat lined rimmed baking sheet and blot dry with a paper towel. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.1 1/2 lb. wild salmon fillets, salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Place the olive oil, garlic, dijon, lemon juice and thyme in a small bowl and stir to combine.1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon dijon mustard, 1 clove garlic, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
- Spoon half of the lemon dijon mixture over the salmon fillets, top with the lemon slices, and bake for 8-10 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and top with the remaining sauce and cook for another 3-5 minutes or until the fat has rendered and the fish flakes easily with a fork. Serve and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Pro tip: Cooking time will vary based on the thickness of your salmon. A good rule of thumb is about 10 minutes of cook time per inch.
- The sauce may be made in advance or the entire dish may be cooked ahead. Portion into dishes with your favorite grains, salad or potatoes for a great meal prep option!
- This meal can easily be made into a sheet pan dinner. Simply follow the instructions for this Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs and add the salmon during the last 15 minutes of cook time.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
36 Comments on “Easy Baked Lemon Dijon Salmon”
I’ve made this recipe 3 times now and should have left a review last time. My family loves this and even picky 11 year old twins who ask for seconds. I too add lemon zest to the olive oil and lemon juice mixture. Making it again tonight with wild rice and roasted cauliflower. Yum 😋
I’m glad this recipe is a hit with your family Debbie and I truly appreciate you taking the time to leave a review! 🙂
Iv’e made this recipe a few times now and my family loves it; even 10 year-olds who ask for seconds. The only thing I add is some lemon zest to the mix to bring out the lemony flavor.
Lemon zest is never a bad idea! I’m glad you’re enjoying the recipe!
Love(adore)salmon and this hit the spot.Now in my favourites book
I’m very happy to hear that! 🙂
Absolutely loved it! Making it again tonight! Very easy, quick and delicious. Highly recommend!!
Thanks so much for the feedback Angela and I’m glad you love this as much as we do! 🙂