Baked Salmon with Panko-Dill Crust

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Whip up this restaurant-quality baked salmon with a crunchy dill-specked crust in just 25 minutes, turning any weeknight dinner into a special occasion!

baked salmon on platter served with asparagus and rice

Here’s a new gem for your recipe collection: my baked salmon, perfect for busy weeknights or elegant brunches. It’s topped with a delicious mix of crunchy panko, lemon zest, and fresh dill. What really sets it apart, though, is the garlicky, lemony mayo spread that not only complements the salmon’s richness but also ensures the panko-dill crust adheres perfectly.

This recipe proves that restaurant-quality meals don’t require hours in the kitchen—just a few well-chosen ingredients and 25 minutes of your time. Pair the dish with roasted asparagus and a wild rice blend (go ahead and use one of the microwaveable rice packets to make life easy!) or roasted potatoes.

“This was easy to prepare and so delicious. The dill, lemon, and Dijon added wonderful flavor. Bake time was perfect – the salmon was juicy and so good!”

Mary

What You’ll Need To Make Baked Salmon With Panko-Dill Crust

baked salmon with panko dill crust ingredients
  • Panko Breadcrumbs: Provide a crunchy texture and golden brown crust to the salmon, adding a delightful contrast to the tender fish.
  • Lemon Zest and Juice: Infuses both the panko topping and the mayonnaise mixture with a bright citrus flavor that complements the richness of the salmon.
  • Fresh Dill: Adds a fragrant herbaceousness that pairs perfectly with salmon.
  • Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Helps bind the topping ingredients together and promotes even browning.
  • Mayonnaise: Creates a creamy coating on the salmon, ensuring it remains moist and flavorful throughout the baking process.
  • Dijon Mustard: Adds a tangy kick and depth of flavor to the salmon, and provides a nice balance to the other ingredients.
  • Garlic Powder: Imparts a subtle savory note and enhances the overall seasoning of the salmon.
  • Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements

Step-By-Step-Instructions

Preheat the oven to 450°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup and spray it with nonstick cooking spray.

For the Topping

In a medium bowl, add the panko, lemon zest, salt, pepper, dill, and olive oil.

panko, lemon zest, salt, pepper, dill, and olive oil in a medium bowl

Stir until the mixture is evenly blended.

panko, lemon zest, salt, pepper, dill, and olive oil combined in medium bowl

For the Fish

In another medium bowl, add the mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in medium bowl

Stir until blended and smooth.

mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and garlic powder combined in medium bowl

Place the fish fillets on the prepared baking sheet and spread the mayonnaise mixture evenly over each piece. 

salmon fillets on foil-lined baking sheet topped with mayo mixture

Next, evenly sprinkle the panko-dill topping over the fish.

salmon fillets on foil-lined baking sheet topped with mayo mixture and panko dill topping

Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and the topping is slightly golden. (If you find that the topping is browning more than you’d like before the fish is cooked through, loosely cover the salmon with foil.) 

fully cooked baked salmon on foil-lined baking sheet

Note: If your fish fillets have skin, they may stick to the foil. To serve, slide a thin spatula between the skin and flesh, leaving the skin behind on the foil. Serve with lemon wedges.

baked salmon on dinner plate with rice, asparagus, and lemon wedges

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I prepare the panko-dill topping ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can combine the ingredients for the panko-dill topping in advance. Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to use it. Sprinkle it over the salmon just before baking.

Can I freeze the baked salmon?

I don’t recommend freezing this dish, as the the breadcrumbs may get soggy upon thawing. Enjoy it fresh out of the oven for the best taste and texture.

Can I replace the salmon with another type of fish?

Sure! If you’re not a fan of salmon or interested in trying something new, arctic char is an excellent alternative. Cod or halibut can also be good choices, though keep in mind that the richness of salmon pairs particularly well with the topping.

Video Tutorial

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Baked Salmon with Panko-Dill Crust

Whip up this restaurant-quality baked salmon with a crunchy dill-specked crust in just 25 minutes, turning any weeknight dinner into a special occasion!

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes
Total Time: 25 Minutes

Ingredients

For the Panko-Dill Crust

  • ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest, from 1 lemon
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped dill
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

For the Salmon

  • ⅓ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice, from 1 lemon
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Four 6-oz salmon fillets
  • Lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 450°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup and spray it with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. For the topping: In a medium bowl, add the panko, lemon zest, salt, pepper, dill, and olive oil and stir until the mixture is evenly blended.
  3. For the fish: In another medium bowl, add the mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and garlic powder and stir until blended and smooth. Place the fish fillets on the prepared baking sheet and spread the mayonnaise mixture evenly over each piece. Next, evenly sprinkle the panko-dill topping over the fish. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and the topping is slightly golden. (If you find that the topping is browning more than you’d like before the fish is cooked through, loosely cover the salmon with foil.) Note: If your fish fillets have skin, they may stick to the foil. To serve, slide a thin spatula between the skin and flesh, leaving the skin behind on the foil. Serve with lemon wedges.

Pair with

Nutrition Information

Powered by Edamam

  • Per serving (4 servings)
  • Calories: 539
  • Fat: 41 g
  • Saturated fat: 8 g
  • Carbohydrates: 4 g
  • Sugar: 0 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 35 g
  • Sodium: 478 mg
  • Cholesterol: 101 mg

This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.

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Comments

  • Thanks Jenn for another great, easy way to prepare salmon! I made this over the weekend and all 4 of us enjoyed it — even my picky eater who typically turns up his nose at salmon. This will definitely go into our rotation!

    • — Kim on March 25, 2024
    • Reply
  • Another fabulous recipe. Absolutely delicious.

    • — Carol S O'Neill on March 24, 2024
    • Reply
  • Hi I served this for shabbos dinner and it was a hit! As are all your recipes.
    It was a breeze to make and tasted restaurant style
    Thank you
    Happy Purim!

    • — Chaya Kurz on March 24, 2024
    • Reply
  • Can you use dried dill (or other dried herbs) instead of fresh?

    • — Adeline on March 23, 2024
    • Reply
    • Sure, I’d use 2 teaspoons dried dill. Enjoy!

      • — Jenn on March 26, 2024
      • Reply
  • I think this is very good, but too salty. Cut back on the salt and it’s perfect.
    Love the lemony taste.

    • — Jennifer on March 23, 2024
    • Reply
  • My family absolutely LOVED this recipe. It was so easy to make on a busy weeknight, too!

    • — Lynne on March 22, 2024
    • Reply
  • I brown panko in a dry non-stick pan and then use it on fish. If you wait for the panko to look browned, it will take too long and the fish will be over-cooked.

    • — susan on March 22, 2024
    • Reply
  • This recipe was delicious

    • — Amy Prywes on March 21, 2024
    • Reply
  • This was really delicious! I made it using Arctic Char because we had just had salmon, but otherwise followed the recipe and served it with small roasted potatoes. It truly was as quick to make as the recipe states and is good enough for company!

    • — TMS on March 21, 2024
    • Reply
  • So delicious!! I absolutely loved this recipe – I baked it for 27 minutes as I love my salmon well done. Every recipe you share is always stellar! Thank you 😁

    • — Susan on March 21, 2024
    • Reply

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