The 3-Ingredient Salmon Dinner My Family Has on Repeat (2024)

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Ready in less than 15 minutes. No wonder it's our go-to weeknight dinner.

By

Coco Morante

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Coco Morante

Coco began developing recipes for Simply Recipes in 2016 and is the author of five cookbooks. She is an industry expert on Instant Pot cooking.

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Published March 21, 2024

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Salmon is my preschooler’s favorite protein, so you can bet we have it for dinner at least once a week. Because of this, I’ve come up with a three-ingredient recipe guaranteed to be a hit: I sprinkle some lemon pepper and dried dill, drizzle a little oil, then bake or air fry the fish. Just like that, dinner is done.

I really hope nobody around here gets tired of eating salmon since it’s so quick to prepare—just 15 minutes total. And unlike other fast-cooking proteins, salmon is so forgiving. With its high-fat content, salmon stays moist and tender even if you overcook it a bit.

What’s the Difference Between Atlantic and Pacific Salmon? READ MORE:

It’s delicious anywhere on the spectrum of medium to well done, whether it’s barely translucent in the middle, or opaque and easily flaked apart with a fork.You can't go wrong.

I serve this three-ingredient salmon with a couple of side dishes for a fuss-free dinner. Boxed rice pilaf, steamed frozen veggies with butter and garlic salt—this is an easy dinner meant to be paired with easy sides. A little store-bought tartar sauce is great to have, too.

The 3-Ingredient Salmon Dinner My Family Has on Repeat (4)

You Can Air Fry or Oven Bake the Salmon

For the easiest, fastest route from fridge to table, I season the salmon and bake it at high heat in my air fryer toaster oven. The air fryer preheats in about three minutes, and the four-ounce filets bake in just 12 minutes.It's my go-to way to cook salmon.

Of course, you can use a basket air fryer (slightly more involved in cleanup) or an oven (a bit longer preheating and cooking time). Your fish will turn out delicious in any case.

Choosing Your Seasoning

Lemon pepper and dried dill are flavors that pair so well with salmon, and I always have them in my spice cabinet. I recently stumbled on a delicious spice blend from Trader Joe’s called Seasoning in a Pickle. It's tangy and full of dill and garlic flavor—a lot like kosher pickles. I’ve been using it instead of plain dried dill for an extra flavor boost. Either works well, so use what you have on hand.

The 3-Ingredient Salmon Dinner My Family Has on Repeat (5)

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3-Ingredient Salmon

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time10 mins

Total Time15 mins

Servings4 servings

Ingredients

  • 4 (4-ounce) salmon filets (skin-on or skinless), thawed if frozen

  • 2 teaspoons avocado oil or other neutraloil

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon pepper

  • 1/2 teaspoon dried dill or dill pickle seasoning

Method

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF or oven to 425ºF.

    Line a baking sheet with parchment or foil for easy cleanup, or just cook right on a baking sheet. (For a basket-style air fryer, you’ll place the salmon directly in the air frying basket.)

    An air fryer will only take a few minutes to preheat, while the oven will take longer.

  2. Season the salmon filets:

    Rinse the salmon filets under cool running water, pat them dry with a paper towel, then place them on the baking sheet or in the air fryer basket.

    Drizzle the oil on the filets, then use a pastry brush or your fingers to spread it evenly on the fish. Sprinkle the lemon pepper and dill onto the oiled fish.

  3. Cook the salmon:

    Bake or air fry the salmon. Start checking it with an instant-read thermometer after about 9 minutes—the internal temperature should be 130ºF to 135ºF.

    A basket air fryer will cook the fish the most quickly—9 to 10 minutes—and, in my experience, an air fryer toaster oven takes a couple of minutes longer. An oven takes a couple of minutes longer than that. You can also check the fish by forking into a filet—if it flakes and is either opaque or a touch darker pink and translucent in the middle, it’s done.

    Did you love the recipe? Leave us stars below and a comment below.

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
197Calories
13g Fat
0g Carbs
19g Protein

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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories197
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 13g16%
Saturated Fat 2g12%
Cholesterol 54mg18%
Sodium 389mg17%
Total Carbohydrate 0g0%
Dietary Fiber 0g1%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 19g
Vitamin C 3mg16%
Calcium 18mg1%
Iron 0mg2%
Potassium 339mg7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

The 3-Ingredient Salmon Dinner My Family Has on Repeat (2024)

FAQs

The 3-Ingredient Salmon Dinner My Family Has on Repeat? ›

Because of this, I've come up with a three-ingredient recipe guaranteed to be a hit: I sprinkle some lemon pepper and dried dill, drizzle a little oil, then bake or air fry the fish. Just like that, dinner is done.

What is the healthiest way to eat salmon? ›

Poached Salmon is the healthiest way to cook salmon and will be ready in just 10 minutes! Although it seems fancy, this poached salmon recipe is crazy simple and rewards a tender, delicate, flaky piece of salmon that is light and refreshing.

How do you plate a salmon dinner? ›

Put a spoon full of sauce onto a clean empty plate on one side. Then lightly place your spoon over a dollop of sauce. Lightly pressing down, glide the spoon in a “swoosh” motion to cover the plate. Place your cooked salmon on top of the base “swoosh” and lightly garnish the plate with your seasonings.

What is in salmon meal? ›

What Is Salmon Meal Made Of? Salmon meal comprises whole salmon that has gone through a process called rendering. This can be likened to making salmon broth, which is overcooked until there is no water left, just the solids from the salmon.

Are eggs or salmon healthier? ›

Both fish and eggs are high in protein. However, you'd have to eat about three eggs to receive the same amount of protein as in a 3-ounce serving of salmon. In addition, some types of fish are higher in omega-3 fatty acids, than others. For example, salmon, mackerel and sardines have more omega-3s than shellfish.

Can you eat salmon every day and be healthy? ›

So, just how much salmon can you eat in a day or week? While there's no strict daily limit per se, two to three servings of fish per week is generally recommended by the FDA, according to Hill. On the flip side, if you're eating salmon every day, she says that you could also be at risk for a lack of nutrient variety.

What to put on salmon before cooking? ›

Seasoning salmon with salt and pepper for baking is exactly like seasoning it for any other cooking process: Pat it dry, sprinkle all sides with salt and pepper (including skin if your fish has it) and use a lighter touch if you're adding salty or peppery ingredients later.

Is it better to bake or pan fry salmon? ›

For smaller, crispy, skin-on Salmon; a crispy pan sear is recommended. For bigger fillets, and succulent, skin-off King Salmon; the best method would be cooking in an oven.

What is a dinner portion of salmon? ›

What Does a Serving Size for Salmon Look Like? Key takeaways: A typical serving size for salmon is between 3 oz to 4 oz for adults. The FDA and Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend eating at least 8 oz of fish per week, which is around two or more servings of salmon or other fish.

What makes salmon taste better? ›

I'm talking about brining! Soaking salmon in a simple, quick brine for as little as 10 minutes (up to overnight, if you like planning ahead) is all it takes. To make it happen you need two very basic ingredients: water and salt. Combine 1 tablespoon of salt for every cup of water.

Is salmon healthier baked or fried? ›

Baking salmon in parchment paper is one of the healthiest cooking methods. It's also easy to prep and clean up. However, some people may prefer the texture of pan-fried or grilled salmon over steamed salmon en papillote.

Is there a downside to eating salmon? ›

Eating large amounts of salmon and other fish could expose you to cancer-causing chemicals, or carcinogens. Fish get these chemicals by swimming in polluted water. Although both wild and farmed salmon carry this risk, the benefit-risk ratio for wild salmon is significantly greater. Nervous system damage.

Which part of salmon is the healthiest? ›

The skin of the salmon has the highest concentration of omega-3s, besides being a great vitamin D and vitamin B supplement,” says Steven Wong, fishmonger and salmon expert at Seafood from Norway. Many people find the skin to even be their favorite part of the salmon, for its flavor, texture, and nutrients.

What is the tastiest way to cook salmon? ›

Salmon tastes great when baked, broiled, or tossed on the grill; smoked, poached, or cast into stews; fashioned into fish cakes and burgers, added to salads or whipped up into dips and spreads. This fish does it all.

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