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Hairy Bikers Salmon Tray Bake

Hairy Bikers Salmon Tray Bake recipe
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A vibrant, one-pan meal featuring tender salmon fillets roasted alongside colorful vegetables and new potatoes, all infused with lemon, garlic, and fresh dill. The high-heat roasting caramelizes the vegetables and crisps the salmon skin, creating a harmonious blend of textures and bright, herbaceous flavors perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (16 oz) baby new potatoes, halved if larger than 1 inch
  • 2 medium red bell peppers, cored and cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 1 medium red onion, cut into 1-inch wedges
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 tsp fine sea salt, divided
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, divided
  • 4 (6 oz each) skin-on salmon fillets, pin bones removed
  • 1 large lemon, half thinly sliced, half juiced (about 2 tbsp juice)
  • 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped, plus extra sprigs for garnish
  • 1 tbsp capers, drained and rinsed

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F / 200°C. On a large, rimmed baking sheet, toss the halved new potatoes, bell pepper chunks, and red onion wedges with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of the black pepper. Arrange them in a single layer to ensure even roasting and crisp edges. Pre-roasting the vegetables for 10 minutes allows the denser potatoes to begin softening before the salmon is added.
  2. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast the vegetables for 10 minutes. You should hear a gentle sizzle and see the edges of the onions and peppers just beginning to soften and blister. This initial roast kickstarts the cooking process for the harder vegetables so everything finishes at the same time.
  3. While the vegetables roast, prepare the salmon. Pat the salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels; this is crucial for getting crisp skin. Place them skin-side down on a plate and drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, rubbing it over the flesh. Season the flesh side generously with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
  4. After the vegetables have roasted for 10 minutes, carefully remove the hot tray from the oven. Use a spatula to push the vegetables to the sides, creating space in the center for the salmon fillets. Place the salmon fillets skin-side down in the center of the tray, nestling them slightly. The hot tray will immediately start cooking the bottom of the salmon, helping to crisp the skin.
  5. Scatter the thinly sliced garlic and capers evenly over the vegetables and salmon. Arrange the thin lemon slices over the top of the salmon fillets. The lemon slices will steam and infuse their citrus oil into the fish as it cooks, while the garlic and capers will roast and mellow, adding savory, briny notes to the entire dish.
  6. Return the tray to the oven and roast for 12-14 minutes. The exact time depends on the thickness of your fillets. Roast until the salmon is just opaque throughout and flakes easily with a fork, or reaches an internal temperature of 145°F / 63°C at the thickest part. The vegetables should be tender and lightly charred at the edges.
  7. While the tray bake finishes cooking, combine the fresh lemon juice and chopped dill in a small bowl. This simple sauce brightens the finished dish. Letting it sit for a few minutes allows the dill flavor to infuse into the lemon juice.
  8. Once cooked, immediately remove the tray from the oven. Drizzle the lemon-dill mixture evenly over the salmon and vegetables. Garnish with extra dill sprigs. Allowing the dish to rest for 2-3 minutes off the heat lets the juices redistribute in the salmon, ensuring it stays moist and flavorful when served directly from the tray.

Notes

Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. The salmon is best enjoyed fresh, as reheating can dry it out. For best results, reheat gently in a 300°F / 150°C oven for 8-10 minutes until just warmed through, or enjoy cold in salads. This dish is not recommended for freezing, as the texture of the cooked salmon and vegetables will become mushy upon thawing.

Nutrition

Keywords: hairy bikers salmon tray bake, salmon tray bake recipe, one pan salmon dinner, roasted salmon and vegetables, British tray bake, weeknight salmon, easy salmon recipe, lemon dill salmon, healthy fish dinner, sheet pan salmon

Find it online: https://britishrecipes.uk/hairy-bikers-salmon-tray-bake/