Garlic Butter Baked Salmon (Printer-friendly)
Succulent salmon fillets baked in rich garlic butter with fresh lemon and herbs for an elegant yet effortless dinner.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Fish
01 - 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each), skin-on or skinless
→ Garlic Butter Sauce
02 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
03 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
05 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Garnish
09 - Lemon slices
10 - Extra chopped parsley
# How-To Guide:
01 - Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray.
02 - Place the salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet, arranging them skin-side down for even cooking.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
04 - Spoon the garlic butter mixture evenly over each salmon fillet, ensuring the tops are well coated.
05 - Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the salmon is opaque throughout and flakes easily with a fork. The internal temperature should reach 145°F.
06 - Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh lemon slices and additional chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The garlic butter transforms simple salmon into something that feels like a treat from your favorite seafood spot
- You can have this on the table in under 30 minutes with ingredients you probably already have
02 -
- Overcooking salmon is the number one mistake, so start checking at the 12-minute mark and remove from the oven when there's still a tiny bit of translucency in the center
- Room temperature salmon cooks more evenly, so try to let it sit out for 15 minutes before baking
03 -
- Pat your salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels before applying the butter mixture for better adhesion
- For extra crispy skin, start the salmon skin-side up for the first 3 minutes, then flip and continue baking