Description
This elegant baked salmon dish is paired with a quick lemon butter sauce, providing a bright and fresh flavor perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 fillets Salmon fillets, about 1 to 1.5 inches thick (Choose fresh, high-quality salmon)
- 3 tablespoons Butter (Use real butter for the sauce)
- 1 medium Fresh lemon (For juice and zest)
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced (Fresh minced is best)
- to taste Salt (Essential for seasoning)
- to taste Black pepper (Essential for seasoning)
Optional Enhancements
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (For a tangy flavor)
- 1 teaspoon Honey (For balancing lemon flavor)
- to taste Red pepper flakes (For some heat)
- to taste Fresh parsley or dill (For garnish and flavor)
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking pan with parchment or foil.
- Pat the salmon dry with paper towels to help it bake instead of steam.
- Season the salmon with salt and pepper, and add garlic powder if desired.
- Place the salmon onto the prepared pan, skin side down if applicable.
Baking
- Bake for about 10 to 14 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets.
- Start checking for doneness at 10 minutes.
Making the Sauce
- While the salmon bakes, melt butter in a small pan over medium-low heat.
- Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- For a creamier sauce, add a small splash of cream if desired.
Serving
- Spoon the lemon butter sauce over the baked salmon right when it comes out of the oven.
- Let it rest for 2 minutes before serving.
Notes
Serve with sides that can catch extra lemon butter sauce such as roasted potatoes, rice, asparagus, or a simple salad. Store cooked salmon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Cuisine: American, Seafood