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Easy Garlic Butter Baked Salmon: Tender, Flaky, and Ready Fast

A close-up of a flaky baked salmon recipe fillet topped with lemon slices, garlic, and fresh parsley in a buttery sauce.
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You can make tender, flaky salmon fillets with rich garlic butter and lemon flavor. This simple oven-baked salmon recipe is perfect for a quick, healthy weeknight dinner and minimizes cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 (6 ounce) salmon fillets, skin on or off
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 lemon, thinly sliced for topping
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until you have a smooth garlic butter spread.
  3. Place the salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between them.
  4. Divide the garlic butter mixture evenly and spread it over the top of each salmon fillet.
  5. Place two thin lemon slices on top of the butter mixture on each fillet.
  6. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets, until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. The internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C).
  7. Remove from the oven. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving immediately.

Notes

  • For sheet pan cooking, place broccoli florets or asparagus spears around the salmon fillets before baking. Toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
  • If you prefer a slightly sweeter glaze, add 1 teaspoon of honey to the garlic butter mixture.
  • To guarantee moist baked salmon, avoid overcooking. Check for doneness at the 12-minute mark.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://juliameal.com/baked-salmon-recipe-garlic-butter-lemon/