The Ultimate Juicy Baked Salmon with Garlic Butter and Lemon
Make this easy baked salmon recipe for a quick weeknight dinner. You get tender, flaky salmon coated in a simple garlic butter and lemon sauce using basic ingredients.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Total Time: 20 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 (6 ounce) salmon fillets, skin on or off
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Lemon slices, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for simple cleanup.
- Pat the salmon fillets dry using paper towels. This helps the seasoning stick and promotes better texture.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, parsley, salt, and pepper to create the garlic butter sauce.
- Place the salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet.
- Spoon the garlic butter mixture evenly over the top of each salmon fillet.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets, until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Remove from the oven. Garnish with fresh lemon slices if desired before serving.
Notes
- For a complete meal, roast asparagus or broccoli on the same sheet pan alongside the salmon for the last 15 minutes.
- If you are looking for alternatives to cooking from scratch, consider how best meal planning services can support your weeknight schedule.
- To ensure the salmon stays juicy, avoid overcooking. Check for doneness at the 12-minute mark.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 17
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 12
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 28
- Cholesterol: 85