Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon (Printable View)
Tender salmon baked in a bright lemon garlic butter sauce, ideal for easy weeknight meals.
# Ingredient List:
→ Fish
01 - 4 (6 oz) skinless salmon fillets, pin bones removed
→ Sauce
02 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
05 - 1 tsp lemon zest
06 - 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
07 - 1/2 tsp salt
08 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
09 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
→ Garnish
10 - Lemon wedges, for serving
11 - Extra chopped parsley
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease with oil.
02 - Place the salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet, spaced evenly apart.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, parsley, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
04 - Spoon or brush the lemon-garlic butter mixture generously over each salmon fillet.
05 - Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and is opaque in the center.
06 - Remove from the oven. Garnish with additional parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The lemon butter sauce creates this incredible bright richness that feels restaurant fancy but takes zero actual skill
- Everything happens in one pan and dinner is ready in under 30 minutes
02 -
- Overcooked salmon is tragic and dry so pull it out when it still looks slightly underdone in the very center
- Letting the fish sit in the sauce for 15 minutes before baking transforms the flavor completely
03 -
- Room temperature salmon cooks more evenly so take it out 20 minutes before you start
- Fresh dill works beautifully instead of parsley if you want to switch up the flavor profile