Rubbed with a mixture of fresh dill, minced garlic, salt and pepper, this arctic char recipe is a quick and easy way to enjoy this fish.
My dear friend Cate has always told me to “work smarter, not harder,” and I usually heed that advice — except when I don’t. But I am a work in progress, as we all are.
Last year, I decided to launch a spinoff website called Sarah’s Seafood Shack that covered only seafood. And for a little while it was great. But as things progressed, I found that I didn’t have enough time to maintain yet another site. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be reposting the content from that site here on Sarah’s Cucina Bella as I merge these two sites.
I hope you will love the new influx of seafood recipes and articles.
First up? A fabulous Baked Garlic Dill Arctic Char recipe that my kids and I love. With a flavorful, fresh rub, this is a quick and easy fish recipe perfect for any night. Enjoy!
As far as sustainability is concerned, arctic char is a great choice for fish dinners. Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch named it a Best Choice. A farmed fish, arctic char can be used similarly to salmon and trout in recipes — think bold but nuanced.
Not familiar with arctic char? Honestly, I don’t remember ever having it as a little girl, but I am so glad I can have it now. It might just be my new favorite fish.
I first created this arctic char recipe when my children — who are 5 and 8 — and I happened on some great fresh ingredients at our local farmers’ market and fishmonger.
Vibrant dill grown on a nearby farm is a perfect accompaniment with bold local garlic that coats this fresh arctic char. (Don’t worry — dill and garlic from the grocery store are good in this recipe too. I am just a big believe in local food.)
It’s so palate-pleasing that my kids practically lick the plate when I make it.
Making it is simple — you take a big arctic char fillet and coat it with a mixture of garlic, dill, salt and pepper. Then you bake it until it’s absolutely fork tender. Serve it with lemon wedges (it’s amazing what that drizzle of lemon does for the fish) … and enjoy every bite.
Who says a simple recipe for arctic char can’t be big on flavor?
Looking for more ideas? Check out this collection of lobster and crab recipes.
Baked Garlic Dill Arctic Char
Ingredients
- 1 lb arctic char fillet
- 3 tbsp minced fresh dill
- 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2-1 tsp kosher salt (to taste)
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 lemon, quartered
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with nonstick aluminum foil. Place the arctic char on the baking sheet, with the skin facing down.
- In a small bowl, stir together the dill, garlic, salt and pepper. Rub on the top of the arctic char (the flesh, only). You want to distribute it as evenly as you can.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until it flakes easily with a fork. Cut into four pieces and serve with a lemon wedge.
- Enjoy.
Notes
If you are not using coarse kosher salt, use less salt on the fish — 1/2 teaspoon will do.
Note: This recipe originally appeared on my now-defunct site Sarah’s Seafood Shack.
Barbara Priscus
Friday 7th of October 2022
Superb and I can’t believe how easy it was to make! It was a bit too salty as I didn’t read your comments on the differences between Kosher salt and other salts. I used sea salt, which I always use. The fault is mine and I do not blame you at all. A great addition to my fish recipes.
Sarah Walker Caron
Saturday 8th of October 2022
So glad you liked it! Sorry to hear it ended up a bit salty though — next time, using a bit less of sea salt will do the trick!
Gina
Wednesday 24th of March 2021
This was delicious! It was salty, though, so I would cut the salt down to 1/2 - 3/4 tsp. Thank you for this recipe---it was my first time cooking arctic char and everyone loved it!
Sarah Walker Caron
Thursday 25th of March 2021
Glad to hear it! And good idea to cut down the salt if it was too salty for you. Were you using coarse kosher salt?
Nicole
Sunday 11th of October 2020
I made this for my husband and I last week and it was amazing! It was our first time having Arctic char and my first time making fish.
Thank you for this recipe! My husband can’t stop talking about how good it was!
Carla
Sunday 7th of June 2020
In the hopes of saving some hapless foodie the pain of eating this recipe so laden with salt that you may want to check your blood pressure after eating, I cannot say anything good about preparing this recipe. In fact, I'd suggest choosing a different one. I am not in the habit of taking time to write recipe reviews, but in this case I must. I'm no stranger to cooking and know my way around a kitchen but my well intentioned boyfriend picked this one out because of the bumper crop of dill we have in our garden and because he wanted to make something nice for dinner. The results? So incredibly salty and inedible. Bake your lovely char with some butter, wine and a pinch of salt, throw some fresh dill over it when you serve it and you'll have a lovely meal.
Sarah Walker Caron
Monday 8th of June 2020
Sorry to hear you didn't like it, Carla.
Kate
Saturday 16th of August 2014
The green really makes it pop.
Sarah Walker Caron
Sunday 17th of August 2014
Thanks, Kate!