Description
Garlic butter baked salmon is the kind of easy dinner that tastes like a restaurant meal but comes together fast enough for busy weeknights. Juicy salmon fillets bake in a simple garlic butter and lemon sauce, giving you a versatile main dish that works for quick breakfast protein, easy dinner, or healthy snack-style meal prep. If you’re searching for weeknight dinner ideas, easy recipe inspiration, or reliable food ideas that feel special without a lot of work, this flavorful baked salmon deserves a spot in your regular rotation.
Ingredients
4 salmon fillets (about 6 ounces each), skin-on
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or dried mixed herbs)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and lightly grease it with cooking spray or a little olive oil.
2. Place the salmon fillets skin-side down on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart. Pat the tops dry with paper towels, then season evenly with about half of the kosher salt and black pepper.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, Italian seasoning, remaining salt, remaining pepper, and 1 tablespoon of the chopped fresh parsley until well combined.
4. Spoon the garlic butter mixture evenly over the salmon fillets, making sure each fillet is well coated and some of the sauce pools around the sides.
5. Let the salmon sit for 2–3 minutes while the oven finishes preheating so the flavors start to soak in.
6. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the salmon is just opaque in the center and flakes easily with a fork. Thicker fillets may need an extra minute or two.
7. Remove the salmon from the oven and spoon some of the hot garlic butter from the pan back over the tops of the fillets. Sprinkle with the remaining chopped parsley.
8. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the salmon, along with your favorite sides such as roasted vegetables, rice, potatoes, or salad.
Notes
For the juiciest result, avoid overbaking the salmon; pull it from the oven when the center still looks slightly translucent, as it will continue to cook from residual heat.
If using salted butter, reduce the added kosher salt and taste the garlic butter before pouring it over the salmon so the dish doesn’t become too salty.
To make this a full sheet-pan meal, add quick-cooking vegetables like asparagus or green beans to the pan during the last 10–12 minutes of baking, tossing them lightly in some of the garlic butter.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salmon fillet with sauce (about 6 oz cooked)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 540
- Fat: 33
- Saturated Fat: 14
- Unsaturated Fat: 17
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 37
- Cholesterol: 135
Keywords: easy salmon recipe, garlic butter baked salmon, baked salmon, quick dinner, healthy dinner, dinner ideas, easy recipe, food ideas