Baked Salmon with Garlic Butter – A Foolproof Recipe for a Flavor-Packed Dinner

Introduction

If you’re looking for a dinner that’s healthy, quick, and tastes like something from a fancy restaurant, baked salmon with garlic butter is a total winner. It’s juicy, tender, and packed with flavor — all with minimal effort. The best part? You only need one pan, a handful of ingredients, and about 20 minutes. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or trying to impress guests, this dish will never let you down.

Ingredients – Your Shopping List

Here’s exactly what you need to make this dish (serves 4):

• Salmon fillets – 4 pieces (about 6 oz each), skin-on preferred for extra flavor
• Butter – 4 tbsp, unsalted (use good quality butter for a richer taste)
• Garlic – 4 cloves, freshly minced
• Lemon – 1 large, juice + zest (fresh is best)
• Olive oil – 1 tbsp (helps the butter mix coat the fish evenly)
• Salt – 1 tsp (sea salt or kosher salt recommended)
• Black pepper – ½ tsp, freshly ground
• Paprika – ½ tsp (optional, for a nice smoky touch)
• Fresh parsley – 2 tbsp, chopped (for garnish)

Optional add-ins:

• 1 tsp honey (if you want a slightly sweet garlic butter)
• Red pepper flakes (for a hint of spice)

Step-by-Step Preparation

Let’s break this down super simply:

1. Preheat Your Oven: Set it to 375°F (190°C).
2. Prepare the Garlic Butter:
   • In a small bowl, mix melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, pepper, and paprika.
   • Give it a quick taste — you want it garlicky, zesty, and just slightly salty.
3. Prep the Salmon:
   • Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels (this helps them bake beautifully).
   • Place them on a lined baking tray or in a baking dish, skin-side down.
4. Coat the Fish:
   • Brush or spoon the garlic butter mixture generously over the salmon.
   • Make sure every piece is well-covered — this is where the flavor lives.

Cooking Instructions

1. Bake the Salmon:
   • Slide the tray into the preheated oven.
   • Bake for 12-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets. The salmon should be opaque and flake easily with a fork.
2. Pro Tip:
   • For an extra golden finish, switch your oven to broil for the last 2 minutes. This gives the top a slightly crispy edge without drying it out.
3. Rest Before Serving:
   • Let the salmon sit for 2-3 minutes before serving. This helps the juices settle and keeps it moist.

Serving Suggestions

Here’s how to make it look as good as it tastes:

• Garnish: Sprinkle fresh parsley and an extra squeeze of lemon over the top.
• Side Dish Ideas:
  • Garlic mashed potatoes
  • Steamed asparagus or green beans
  • A light quinoa salad
  • Roasted vegetables for a colorful plate

Pro tip: Serve with some warm crusty bread to soak up that leftover garlic butter — trust me, it’s worth it.

Additional Tips & Variations

• For a Low-Carb Option: Pair with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.
• For Extra Flavor: Add a drizzle of honey to your garlic butter for a sweet-savory kick.
• Make It Dairy-Free: Swap butter with vegan butter or extra virgin olive oil.
• Meal Prep Friendly: Bake extra fillets and refrigerate — they make amazing salmon salad or wraps the next day.

Nutrition Breakdown (Per Serving)

(Values may vary slightly based on exact ingredients used.)

FAQs

Q: Can I use frozen salmon?
Yes! Just make sure to thaw it completely and pat dry before baking.

Q: What’s the best salmon to use?
Wild-caught salmon tends to have better flavor and a firmer texture than farm-raised.

Q: How do I know when salmon is done?
It should flake easily with a fork, and the internal temperature should be 145°F (63°C).

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
You can prep the garlic butter ahead and store it in the fridge. Brush it on just before baking for the freshest flavor.

Wrap-Up

There you have it — Baked Salmon with Garlic Butter, a dish that looks impressive but is secretly super easy to make. You get perfectly flaky salmon, buttery garlic flavor, and a bright lemon finish — all ready in about 20 minutes.

Fun fact: Salmon is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for heart health and brain function. So you’re not just enjoying a delicious dinner — you’re doing something good for your body, too!

This is one of those recipes you’ll come back to again and again. Try it once, and you might just make it your go-to weeknight dinner.