Want to know an easy recipe for dinner that’s easy and delicious? This is a recipe from online chef Alison Roman that is so easy and satisfying to make that you will have restaurant-quality food at home!
You and I both love good food and will travel to go and get it!
But sometimes we do this because we have no idea what to eat at home that’s simple to make or cooking is not our forte. It would be nice to be able to bring the experience we have outside into our own homes in a way that’s not complicated.
This recipe will do just that. Whether you are a beginner at cooking, need a staple family dinner recipe, or have something to bring to a dinner party, you will always keep this simple salmon dish in rotation.
You’re going to know exactly what you’ll need to prepare this dinner idea so you can make this simple butter-roasted salmon dish at home.
This post is about an easy recipe for dinner so you can have a restaurant-quality meal at home.
Insanely Delicious Easy Recipe for Dinner
Why You’ll Love This Dish
I won’t bore you with my love for Alison Roman, but it’s worth mentioning that I do in fact love her. She shows how you can make well-balanced meals using fresh ingredients, that taste great. Your food should have flavor but not lack nutrition!
I Alison on the NY Times cooking an easy one-pot chicken dish and went down a rabbit hole of her content. I even purchased one of her cookbooks that I swear by and tell EVERYONE to buy.
To me, her recipes know how to balance flavors really well so you get good depth in your cooking. The food tastes better than when I go out sometimes.
Most likely a lot of the recipes I will recommend will come from her because she is just that good.
This simple butter-roasted salmon recipe has become a staple in my food rotation. I plan meals out weekly and this dish finds its way in at least once a month.
I’ve made it for my mother’s birthday when friends are coming over for dinner, and mostly when I need something good that will last and that I won’t get tired of!
Ingredients
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1 lemon
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2 pounds (907 g) skin-on salmon fillet (if you can only find skinless, that’s okay)
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Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
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6 tablespoons (90 ml) unsalted butter
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¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
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½ small red onion, sliced into very thin rings, divided
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2-3 tablespoons(30 ml) brined capers, drained
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1 cup (250 ml) fresh dill (you can use parsley if you absolutely refuse to use dill)
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2 tablespoons (30 ml) toasted sesame seeds (optional)
Step 1: Prep Your Salmon
To really make this deep in flavor, season your salmon ahead of time. The recipe calls for seasoning with salt and pepper only. I personally season with salt (Lawrys), pepper, onion, and garlic powder for more flavor. I then drizzle olive oil on top and let the fish sit in a container for 30 minutes or overnight. If you need to make this quick, it will still taste great!
Step 2: Preheat Oven to 325 ° F / Airfryer 315° F
Once your fish has had time to marinate, set your oven to 325 ° F (163° C) while you prep. I used an air fryer to make this easy recipe and set mine to 315 ° F. Make sure you’re using an air fryer to set temps less than the recipe requires and cook for less time. I use a Ninja 4qt air fryer and try to keep temperatures low so I don’t overcook my fish.
Step 3: Prep Your Ingredients
Begin to thinly slice half of your lemon and a whole onion. The other half of your lemon will be used to juice the fish once it’s done. Make sure to remove the seeds, they taste disgusting if they are in the fish.
The onions transcend this dish to a higher level. The more the better!
Step 4: Create Butter Sauce
Now you’re going to add the butter to your pan. Heat your butter until it begins to brown. Then add your onions and lemon to the pan. Stir occasionally
You will want to season your onions and lemons well. I again use Lawry’s salt, pepper, onion, and garlic powder to season them. Season it till you like the taste.
Add olive oil
Let the sauce simmer until golden brown. You want your onions to be super soft and a dark purple and your lemons to be a bit browned
You can now add in some capers. Allow them to cook with your sauce for a minute or two.
Step 5: Cook the Salmon
If you are using an oven, you can take your butter mixture and pour it over your salmon. Make sure to use an oven-safe pan. I like using cast irons to cook the whole dish. Place into the oven for 20-25 mins at 325 ° F.
If you’re using the air fryer like myself, at this stage you will put your seasoned fish inside. I have the ninja air fryer which is powerful and if you’re not careful can burn your fish. Set your air fryer to 315 ° F for 12-15 minutes. This makes a soft and tender fish.
As your fish cooks, remove the dill from the stems and cut some fresh red onions to pour on top.
I have not used toasted sesame seeds before, but give it a try if you like!
Step 6: Finish Salmon
Take your salmon out of the air fryer and put it in the pan with your butter-lemon mixture. Pour butter over your fish frequently, and make sure sauce get’s into all of the fish. Do this for 1-2 minutes. Try not to overcook your fish.
Remove fish from the pan and put it on a serving dish.
Pour the butter sauce over the fish. Add your fresh dill (the more the better, trust me), sliced onions, and squeeze some lemon juice on top. For a finishing touch, add some fresh capers. They will give your salmon bursts of saltiness that adds more flavor.
What to Pair With Salmon
I would pair this salmon with rice and a veggie of your choice. In this case, I paired it with wild rice and green beans. You could put the green beans into the same pan you used to cook your butter mixture then put them in your air fryer at 300 ° F for 6-8 minutes.
I’ve also eaten it with a salad. In my salad I add:
- Mixed greens
- Hummus (love the Mediterranean hummus from trader joes)
- Red Onions
- Cucumber
- Dressing of your choice-
This makes for great lunch the next day or a quick and easy dinner option if you made the fish night before.
Ways to Enjoy
Family Dinner Idea
This easy recipe for dinner is so good your family will never get tired. It’s an easy weeknight dinner idea that will find its way to your dinner table often. If you plan your meals ahead, you can put this as a staple so whenever you are short on time or not sure what to make, this can be a simple option.
Let me know if you want me to show you how I plan my menus weekly. Feeding our ourselves can be really hard sometimes, but having a menu can help reduce the stress.
Easy Dinner Recipe For One
I cook just for myself currently. I find cooking can be a way of self-care and a form of love when I take the time to cook a meal with intention.
You are adventurous with foods or looking to try new things so take the time to try this and indulge yourself when you do.
The beauty of this dish is you can cook a lot of it and eat the salmon throughout the week. It’s like meal prep but of food, you actually want to eat.
Easy Recipe For a Dinner Party
Show the people what you’re working with! You know good food, so show them what you got. Your friends probably already go to you for food recommendations so cook them something they will always come back for.
You could easily prepare this dish with rice and veggies, pair it with a nice white wine and dessert, and voila! Dinner for your party is served. No need to get complicated, you just need it to taste good.
Also, the presentation is lovely whenever you make it. People will literally think you’re a chef!
This is your new go-to easy recipe for dinner that you’ll come back to time and time again. This salmon dish uses minimal ingredients but leaves you breathless every time. Be warned.. your friends and family will demand this from you often!
Shoutout to Alison Roman for being such an awesome chef. You can find the original recipe here.
I hope this blog makes feeding yourself just a little easier!
Let’s eat around the world, together:)