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Garlic Butter Baked Salmon

Rachel GibsonBy CommentsPinPublished
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This baked salmon uses a handful of pantry staples to create a fast and flavorful main dish. The fish cooks in a pool of melted butter, fresh garlic, and lemon juice right in the oven. It takes very little hands-on time and cleans up quickly.

Salmon fillets are baked in a rich garlic, butter, and lemon sauce until flaky and tender.

Baked salmon fillets covered in butter sauce and chopped parsley.
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You can have dinner on the table in under 20 minutes from start to finish. The butter keeps the fish moist while it bakes, and the lemon adds a bright finish. Serve it with your favorite roasted vegetables or a green salad.

Why this works

  • Baking the salmon ensures even cooking without the need to stand over a hot stove.
  • Mixing the garlic and butter before pouring it over the fish distributes the flavor across every bite.
  • Checking the internal temperature guarantees the fish is cooked safely and remains tender.

Ingredients you'll need

Raw salmon fillets, butter, garlic, lemon, and parsley on a counter.
Gather your salmon fillets, butter, garlic, lemon, and seasonings.
  • Salmon: Look for fillets that are uniform in thickness so they finish baking at the same time. Skinless fillets work well for this method.
  • Butter: Salted butter adds a good base flavor. If you use unsalted butter, add an extra pinch of salt to the sauce.
  • Garlic: Mince fresh garlic cloves by hand rather than using a garlic press for a milder flavor that does not burn.
  • Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice provides a brighter taste than bottled versions.

Exact quantities are in the recipe card below.

How to make it

Step 1: Prepare the salmon

Pat the fish dry with paper towels to help the oil and seasonings stick. Arrange the fillets in a baking dish and coat them with olive oil, salt, and black pepper.

Step 2: Make the garlic butter

Melt the butter and stir in the minced garlic and lemon juice. Pour this mixture generously over each salmon fillet.

Garlic butter sauce being poured over raw salmon in a baking dish.
Pour the melted garlic butter mixture evenly over the seasoned salmon fillets.

Step 3: Bake and serve

Bake the salmon in a hot oven until it flakes easily with a fork. Spoon the melted garlic butter from the bottom of the pan over the fish before serving.

Baked salmon fillets covered in butter sauce and chopped parsley.
Serve the baked salmon warm with extra pan juices spooned on top.

Serve it with

Serve this salmon with roasted asparagus, steamed green beans, or a side of rice to soak up the extra garlic butter sauce.

Storage and reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave on 50 percent power or in a 275°F (135°C) oven until warmed through. Freezing cooked salmon is not recommended as it changes the texture.

FAQ

Can I use frozen salmon?

Yes, but you need to thaw it completely before baking. Thaw the fillets overnight in the refrigerator for the best texture.

How do I know when the salmon is done?

The flesh will turn opaque and flake easily when pressed with a fork. A meat thermometer should read 145°F (63°C).

Can I add other herbs?

Fresh dill or thyme work well with the butter and lemon flavors. Add them at the end as a garnish.

Baked salmon fillets covered in butter sauce and chopped parsley.

Garlic Butter Baked Salmon

Salmon fillets are baked in a rich garlic, butter, and lemon sauce until flaky and tender.

By Rachel Gibson

PinComment
Prep
5 min
Cook
12 min
Total
17 min
Servings
4
Course: Main CourseCuisine: AmericanMethod: BakingDifficulty: Easy

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet or baking dish with parchment paper.
  2. Pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel. Place them in the prepared baking dish.
  3. Drizzle the olive oil over the salmon. Sprinkle evenly with the kosher salt and black pepper.
  4. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, and lemon juice.
  5. Pour the garlic butter mixture evenly over the salmon fillets.
  6. Bake for 10 to 14 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets. The salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork and reaches a safe internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
  7. Remove the dish from the oven. Spoon the butter sauce from the bottom of the pan over the salmon.
  8. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve warm.

Notes

  • The FDA recommends cooking fish to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) for food safety. Use a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the fillet to check.
  • If your salmon fillets have the skin on, place them skin-side down in the baking dish. The meat will easily flake off the skin when you serve it.
  • Store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

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