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Best Garlic Butter Baked Salmon with Lemon – Easy 20-Minute Dinner

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This garlic butter baked salmon is quick, easy, and incredibly delicious. With a rich garlic butter sauce and bright lemon, it’s perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each, about 1-inch thick)
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest (from about 1 large lemon)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • Lemon slices for garnish (optional)
  • Extra fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
  • Flaky sea salt for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. Pat the salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels.
  4. Season both sides of the salmon with salt and pepper. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  5. In a small bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, lemon zest, and chopped parsley. Mash together with a fork until evenly distributed.
  6. Place the salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet, skin-side down, spaced about 2 inches apart.
  7. Divide the garlic butter evenly among the fillets (about 1 tablespoon per fillet), spreading over the top.
  8. Top each fillet with a thin lemon slice (optional).
  9. Bake for 12-15 minutes, depending on thickness. Salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork and the center is slightly translucent (125°F to 130°F internal temperature).
  10. Remove from oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes.
  11. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top and sprinkle with extra parsley and flaky sea salt if desired.
  12. Serve immediately, spooning any garlic butter from the pan over the fillets.

Notes

For best results, use room temperature butter and fresh garlic. Pat salmon dry thoroughly to ensure browning. Salmon continues cooking after removal from oven, so pull it when slightly underdone. Double the garlic butter for extra sauce. Leftovers keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat in a low oven or skillet.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter salmon, baked salmon, lemon salmon, easy salmon recipe, 20-minute dinner, weeknight dinner, healthy salmon

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