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Perfect Baked Salmon with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

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Tender, flaky salmon baked with a glossy lemon garlic butter sauce. This simple, one-pan recipe is ready in 25 minutes and delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 salmon fillets (6 ounces each), about 1 inch thick
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large lemon (juice of half, thin slices from the other half)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Line a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray.
  3. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels on both sides.
  4. Place the fillets skin-side down in the prepared dish. Season generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder (if using).
  5. In a small bowl, combine the cubed butter, minced garlic, and juice of half the lemon. Mash together with a fork to distribute.
  6. Divide the butter mixture evenly among the fillets, placing it on top. Arrange thin lemon slices from the remaining half lemon over each fillet.
  7. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
  8. Let the salmon rest in the dish for 2-3 minutes.
  9. Garnish with chopped parsley and red pepper flakes (if using). Spoon the buttery sauce from the pan over each fillet before serving.

Notes

Bring salmon to room temperature 15 minutes before cooking for even results. Don’t overcrowd the pan; leave at least an inch between fillets. Use fresh garlic, not pre-minced, to avoid bitterness. The butter sauce is liquid gold—spoon it over vegetables or crusty bread. For thinner fillets, start checking at 10 minutes; for thicker, up to 18 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked salmon, lemon garlic butter sauce, easy salmon recipe, one-pan salmon, healthy dinner, weeknight dinner, gluten-free, low-carb

Find it online: https://lenatable.com/perfect-baked-salmon-with-lemon-garlic-butter-sauce/