Description
A quick, affordable, and kid-approved baked salmon recipe featuring a crispy garlic butter crust. This one-pan meal is ready in 20 minutes and uses simple pantry staples for a bistro-quality dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 to 2 pounds salmon fillets (wild-caught preferred, thick cut)
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium lemon (zest and juice)
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Lemon wedges for serving
- Extra parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a half-sheet baking pan with aluminum foil.
- Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels to ensure the crust sticks and crisps.
- In a small bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, lemon zest, dried parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir until fragrant. Mix in Parmesan cheese if using.
- Place salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching.
- Spoon the garlic butter mixture generously over each fillet, spreading it evenly to cover the edges.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes (10 minutes for thin fillets, 12-15 for standard thickness) until salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Optional: Broil for the last 1-2 minutes for a darker, crispier crust, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Drizzle with fresh lemon juice and serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Notes
Pat the salmon dry thoroughly before baking to prevent steaming and ensure a crispy crust. Do not overcrowd the pan; use two sheets if necessary. Salmon continues to cook slightly after removal from the oven, so avoid overcooking. For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil or ghee.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet per serving
- Calories: 350
- Sodium: 280
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Protein: 34
Keywords: baked salmon, garlic butter salmon, easy dinner, weeknight meals, family friendly, one pan meal, healthy seafood, gluten free, keto friendly