Lemon Garlic Baked Salmon
Lemon Garlic Baked Salmon is a quick and easy dinner recipe that the whole family will love! Salmon is brushed with lemon garlic butter and baked in the oven until it’s juicy and fork-tender.
My kids ask for salmon for dinner all the time, and I have a few favorite salmon recipes that we enjoy regularly, including Pan Seared Salmon and Air Fryer Salmon. Well, today’s lemon garlic salmon recipe has now joined the party and our tastebuds couldn’t be happier about it!
There’s something magical about the combination of lemon and garlic, especially when you pair it with seafood. This baked salmon is succulent, melt-in-your-mouth good, with the best garlicky, lemony, buttery flavor.
Why You’ll Love this Lemon Garlic Baked Salmon
- Quick and Easy. This recipe takes only 10 minutes to prep, and then your oven does the rest. Salmon fillets bake in 15-20 minutes, making baked salmon a perfect meal for a weeknight.
- Simple Ingredients. You’ll need just a handful of simple ingredients for this recipe, most of which are pantry staples.
- Delicious. This salmon is juicy and tender throughout, with delicious lemon-garlic flavor.
- Healthy Dinner. Salmon is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and protein, as well as other nutrients.
- Family-Friendly. I have five young kids and they all have different tastes and food preferences. Three out of the five love this baked salmon, as do my husband and I, so I call that a dinnertime win!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Salmon: Choose skin-on salmon fillets. The skin is easy to remove after cooking, if desired.
- Butter and Olive Oil: I like to use both butter, for flavor, and olive oil, for healthy fats. You could use just one or the other if desired.
- Lemon: We’re using both the zest and the juice to get the most lemon flavor.
- Garlic: Fresh minced or pressed garlic is best here. I find three cloves of fresh minced garlic to be just the right amount for four salmon fillets.
- Salt and Pepper: For extra flavor.
- Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of fresh herbs after baking elevates the flavor and presentation of this baked salmon. I especially love this with fresh dill. Parsley, thyme or chives would also be delicious. Use what you love!
How Long to Bake Salmon in the Oven
At 425° F, most salmon fillets will take about 12-20 minutes to cook. Thicker salmon fillets will take longer to bake then thinner pieces of fish. The USDA recommends cooking salmon to 145° F for food safety. However chefs often cook it to a more medium doneness of around 125-135° F, followed by a 3 minute rest during which the internal temperature will rise a few more degrees.
What to Serve with Baked Salmon
My usual dinnertime formula for baked salmon is salmon + a veggie + a starch. Here are a few of our go-to sides for salmon:
This lemon garlic salmon is also delicious served on top of a salad, like this Salmon Salad or a basic Green Salad.
How to Make Lemon Garlic Baked Salmon
Let the salmon come to room temperature for about 15 minutes. This helps it to cook more evenly. Meanwhile, you can line your baking dish with parchment paper (for easy clean up) and prep the lemon garlic mixture.
Mix up the lemon garlic butter. In a small bowl whisk together the melted butter, olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper.
Brush the salmon with the lemon garlic mixture, brushing it over the tops and sides of each salmon fillet.
Bake at 425° F for 12-20 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked to your liking. When it’s done, the salmon should flake easily with a fork.
Let the salmon rest for 3 minutes before serving. While it rests, plate up your favorite side dishes, then add the salmon fillets to the plates.
Sprinkle on some chopped fresh herbs and then dig in! That’s it! This recipe seriously couldn’t be easier (or more delicious).
More Favorite Salmon Recipes
Lemon Garlic Baked Salmon
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets, about 6 ounces each, skin on
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- zest of 1 medium lemon
- juice of half a medium lemon
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, or ¼ teaspoon table salt
- ground black pepper, to taste
- chopped fresh herbs, such as dill, parsley, thyme or chives, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425° F. Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with a sheet of parchment paper (for easy clean up). Place the salmon fillets in the baking dish and pat dry with paper towels. Set aside to allow the salmon to come to room temperature for about 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl whisk together the melted butter, olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper. Brush the mixture over the tops and sides of the salmon fillets.
- Bake for 12-20 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked to your liking. (Thicker pieces of salmon may take longer.) When it's done, the salmon should flake easily with a fork. (The USDA recommends an internal temperature of 145° F for salmon, but some prefer it cooked to 125-130° F, then rest for 3 minutes before serving.)
- Sprinkle with the chopped fresh herbs and serve.
