Quick & Easy Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon Recipe

This Quick & Easy Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon is my weeknight kitchen superhero—minimal prep, unbelievably juicy, and just bursting with zesty, buttery flavor! With every bite, you get lush salmon cooked to tender perfection, kissed with lemon and aromatic herbs, and ready in under 30 minutes. If you’ve ever wanted a stunning, restaurant-quality dinner in a flash, you’re absolutely going to fall in love with this one.

Ingredients You’ll Need

What I adore about this recipe is its straightforward ingredient list—each item does a lot of heavy lifting for both flavor and presentation! Here’s how these staples come together to deliver salmon that’s buttery, fresh, and totally irresistible.

• Salmon fillets: Opt for skinless, center-cut fillets for even cooking; fresh or fully thawed frozen salmon both work wonderfully.
• Unsalted butter: This gives your salmon a rich glaze and melds beautifully with olive oil for the perfect moist texture.
• Olive oil: Balances the butter and keeps the fish from sticking; choose extra virgin for extra flavor.
• Garlic cloves: Freshly minced garlic infuses every bite with bold, savory notes, making the flavor shine.
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice: The juice brightens the whole dish with vibrant citrus, cutting gently through the richness.
• Chopped fresh parsley and fresh dill: These herbs bring color, fragrance, and a garden-fresh finish—swap for dried in a pinch!
• Flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper: Never underestimate what good seasoning does to highlight the salmon’s natural sweetness.
• Optional: Lemon slices & extra herbs: These make your salmon look extra special and add a burst of fresh aroma as they roast.

Variations

The beauty of this Quick & Easy Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon is how effortlessly you can make it your own. You can play with different herbs, swap in your favorite fish, or even add veggies right to the pan—let’s make it fit your tastes and what’s in your fridge!

• Try Different Fresh Herbs: Switch out parsley and dill for basil, cilantro, chives, or thyme—each brings a slightly different personality to your salmon.
• Use Other Fish: Cod or halibut fillets work perfectly with the same lemon-garlic topping if you’re out of salmon.
• Roast Veggies on the Same Pan: Toss in chopped asparagus, broccoli, green beans, or zucchini around the salmon for a complete one-pan meal.
• Make it Dairy-Free: Use all olive oil instead of butter and olive oil for a lighter, dairy-free version that’s still full of flavor.

How to Make Quick & Easy Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheet

Start by heating your oven to 400°F (204°C)—that’s the sweet spot for tender, flaky salmon with a slightly caramelized finish. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, a silicone baking mat, or aluminum foil (just brush the foil lightly with olive oil if you go that route) to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.

Step 2: Arrange the Salmon

Place the salmon fillets in the center of your prepped baking sheet. Space them out so they have room to cook evenly. If you want to add vegetables, arrange them all around the fish so everything roasts together—just chop your veggies small so they’ll be ready when the salmon is.

Step 3: Make the Lemon Garlic Butter

In a small saucepan or skillet, melt the butter with the olive oil over medium heat. Toss in the minced garlic and let it sizzle for about a minute until it smells fragrant (trust me, your kitchen will smell amazing!). Remove from the heat, then stir in the lemon juice, chopped herbs, salt, and black pepper. This simple step creates a gorgeously aromatic sauce.

Step 4: Spoon and Top

Spoon your warm, zesty lemon garlic mixture generously over the salmon fillets (and veggies, if you’re using them). If you love an extra pop of fresh lemon flavor, tuck a lemon slice right on top of each piece of salmon before baking—it’s beautiful and adds concentrated citrus flavor!

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into your already-hot oven and bake for 15–20 minutes (about 10 minutes per inch of thickness, measured at the thickest part of the fillet). Your Quick & Easy Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon is ready when it’s opaque and flakes easily with a fork. If you like to be precise, the internal temp should reach 145°F (63°C). Serve warm and get ready for rave reviews!

How to Serve Quick & Easy Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon

Garnishes

For a fresh, vibrant finish, shower your salmon with extra chopped parsley or dill right before serving. A quick squeeze of lemon over the top brings vivid color and even more pizzazz, while thin lemon slices or a scattering of microgreens make your plate look instantly elegant with zero effort.

Side Dishes

Truly, this salmon goes with almost everything! I love pairing it with garlicky roasted potatoes, fluffy jasmine rice, or a crisp green salad tossed with a simple vinaigrette. Steamed asparagus, sautéed spinach, or some buttery green beans also make brilliant, fresh sides that complement the zippy, garlicky main.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party spin, plate the salmon over a swirl of herbed mashed potatoes, or serve atop a grain bowl with roasted veggies and extra drizzle of that lemony pan sauce. For weekday lunches, flake leftover salmon onto toast with avocado and fresh tomato—or over greens for an ultra-simple, elegant salad!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Pop any leftover Quick & Easy Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon into an airtight container and keep in the fridge; it’ll stay moist and flavorful for up to 3 days. The flavors develop even more as it sits, making next-day lunches a total treat!

Freezing

This salmon freezes like a dream! Let it cool completely, wrap each fillet tightly, and store in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. To preserve maximum flavor and texture, I recommend thawing overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat gently in a 300°F (150°C) oven, loosely covered with foil, for about 10 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also microwave in 30-second bursts, but keep in mind that low-and-slow is best for maintaining the salmon’s succulent texture!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving a meal that’s effortless, nourishing, and guaranteed to impress, look no further than this Quick & Easy Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon. It’s one of those rare dishes that’s as cozy for weeknights as it is elegant enough for company—so gather your ingredients and get ready to fall in love with a classic that fits right into your real-life routine!

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