Are you ever stuck in that weeknight dinner rut? You know the one. You want something flavorful and satisfying, but you just don’t have the time or energy for a complicated meal. I have been there more times than I can count. That’s exactly why I keep coming back to simple, elegant salmon recipes baked in the oven.
This particular recipe is a shining star. Imagine a tender salmon fillet, glistening with a lemon garlic butter sauce, so flaky it practically melts in your mouth. The foil packet method locks in all the moisture and flavor, and cleanup is an absolute breeze. It’s one of those amazing salmon dinner ideas that looks fancy but is secretly so easy.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honestly, what’s not to love? First off, the flavor is just incredible. The combination of zesty lemon, rich butter, and savory garlic is a classic for a reason. It complements the salmon beautifully without overpowering its natural taste.
It’s also incredibly simple to prepare. Even if you are a total beginner in the kitchen, you can make this dish with confidence. Wrapping everything in a foil packet means there’s very little to clean up afterward. No scrubbing baked on messes from your pans!
This is one of my go to healthy salmon recipes. Salmon is packed with omega 3 fatty acids and protein. Baking is a much healthier cooking method than frying, and the ingredients are all wholesome and fresh. It is a meal you can feel good about serving to your family.
Plus, it’s fast! From start to finish, you can have this on the table in about 30 minutes. That makes it a wonderful choice for those busy weeknights when you need a delicious meal without the fuss.
Ingredients
The beauty of these kinds of salmon fillet recipes is the short and simple ingredient list. You probably have most of these items in your kitchen already. Freshness is key here, especially for the lemon and garlic, as they provide the main flavors.
- About one and a half to one and three quarter pounds salmon fillet with the skin on
- 1 lemon, sliced into thin rounds
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice, from about 1 lemon
- 2 to 3 tablespoons honey
- 5 cloves garlic, finely pressed or minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh parsley, optional for garnishing
Step By Step Instructions
Let’s walk through how to make these fantastic salmon recipes baked in foil. It is easier than you think!
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven And Foil Packet
First things first, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. While it’s heating up, get your foil ready. Place a large sheet of foil on a baking sheet. You want it long enough to fully enclose the salmon. Place your salmon fillet on the foil with the skin side down. Then, gently fold up the edges of the foil about two inches high. This creates a little boat that will hold all that yummy sauce.
Now, take your lemon slices and nestle them right underneath the salmon fillet. Just lift the fillet gently and slide them under, spaced out evenly. This infuses the salmon with a lovely citrus aroma from the bottom up.
Step 2: Make The Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
This sauce is where the magic happens. In a bowl that is safe for the microwave, melt your half cup of unsalted butter. This usually takes about a minute on high power. Once it’s melted, stir in the fresh lemon juice, honey, and the minced garlic. Give it a good mix to combine everything.
Step 3: Season And Marinate The Salmon
Gently pour about three quarters of your butter mixture over the top of the salmon. Try to cover the entire fillet. Keep the rest of the sauce for later. You will be glad you did! Next, season the salmon evenly with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Now it’s time to seal the foil packet. You will likely need another sheet of foil for the top. Place it over the salmon and crimp the edges of the top and bottom pieces together. Try to make it as airtight as you can, but don’t worry about it being totally sealed. If you have a few extra minutes, let the salmon marinate in the sauce for about 10 to 15 minutes. It really deepens the flavor.
Step 4: Bake The Salmon
Place the baking sheet with the foil packet into your preheated oven. Bake for about 17 minutes. The exact time can vary a bit depending on the thickness of your fillet. The salmon will steam inside the packet, making it incredibly moist and tender. This is the key to many great salmon fillet recipes.
Step 5: Broil For A Golden Finish
Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. Open up the foil packet to expose the salmon, but keep the sides raised to contain the juices. Set your oven to a high broil setting.
Remember that reserved butter sauce? Now is its time to shine. Spoon it over the salmon. If there’s already a lot of liquid in the packet, you can skip this, but a little extra sauce never hurts. Pop the baking sheet back in the oven to broil for about 5 to 10 minutes. This will give the top of the salmon a beautiful golden color.
Step 6: Garnish And Serve
Once the salmon is cooked through and golden on top, take it out of the oven. Sprinkle it with some fresh parsley for a bit of color and freshness. Serve it immediately while it’s warm and delicious. This is truly one of the best salmon recipes baked for any occasion.
How To Store Leftovers
While this salmon is best enjoyed fresh from the oven, leftovers are still quite tasty. Let the salmon cool completely to room temperature. Then, place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will stay good for up to three days.
When it comes to reheating, be gentle. You can warm it in the microwave in short bursts or in a low temperature oven to prevent it from drying out. Leftover salmon is also wonderful cold. You can flake it over a salad, mix it into some pasta, or make a quick salmon salad for a sandwich.
Tips
Want to make your baked salmon even better? Here are a few tips. First, don’t overcook it. Salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork. Overcooking will make it dry. Keep a close eye on it, especially under the broiler, as all ovens are different.
Feel free to customize the herbs. Fresh dill or rosemary would also be delicious with the lemon and garlic. For a little bit of heat, you could add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the butter sauce. The best salmon dinner ideas are often the ones you make your own.
When it comes to serving, this salmon pairs well with almost anything. Roasted asparagus or green beans are a great choice. You can also serve it with some fluffy rice, quinoa, or roasted potatoes to soak up that amazing sauce.
Conclusion
There you have it! A simple, delicious, and healthy way to prepare salmon. These kinds of salmon recipes baked in foil are a staple in my house for a reason. They deliver big on flavor without requiring a lot of effort. It’s a wonderful meal for a quiet family dinner or for impressing guests. I hope you give it a try and love it as much as we do.
FAQ
Can I Use Salmon Without Skin?
Yes, you absolutely can. Skinless salmon works just fine in this recipe. The cooking time should be about the same. The skin does help keep the fillet moist and adds a bit of flavor, but the dish will still be delicious without it.
What Other Fish Can I Use For This Recipe?
This lemon garlic butter sauce is very versatile. If you don’t have salmon, you could try this recipe with other firm fish fillets like cod, halibut, or even tilapia. You may need to adjust the baking time depending on the thickness of the fish.
Can I Prepare This Ahead Of Time?
You can do some prep ahead of time. The lemon garlic butter sauce can be made a day or two in advance and stored in the fridge. However, for the best results, I recommend baking the salmon right before you plan to serve it. It tastes best when it is warm and fresh.
My Salmon Came Out Dry. What Did I Do Wrong?
The most common reason for dry salmon is overcooking. Every oven is a little different, and the thickness of the fillet plays a big role. Start checking for doneness a few minutes before the recipe says. The salmon is ready when it turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
Is This One Of Those Healthy Salmon Recipes?
Yes, it is! Salmon is a fantastic source of protein and heart healthy omega 3 fatty acids. Baking is a much lighter cooking method compared to frying. This is one of the healthy salmon recipes that doesn’t sacrifice any flavor, making it a great addition to a balanced diet.
Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon in Foil
Enjoy a tender salmon fillet, glistening with a lemon garlic butter sauce, baked to flaky perfection. The foil packet method locks in moisture and flavor, making cleanup easy. This flavorful dinner looks elegant yet is simple to prepare.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place a large sheet of foil on a baking sheet, long enough to fully enclose the salmon. Place the salmon fillet on the foil, skin side down. Gently fold up the edges of the foil about two inches high to create a boat. Nestles lemon slices underneath the salmon fillet, spaced out evenly.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt 1/2 cup unsalted butter (about 1 minute on high power). Stir in the fresh lemon juice, honey, and minced garlic. Mix well to combine.
- Gently pour about three quarters of the butter mixture over the salmon, covering the entire fillet. Reserve the rest of the sauce for later. Season the salmon evenly with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Seal the foil packet with another sheet of foil on top, crimping the edges to make it as airtight as possible. If time allows, let the salmon marinate for 10 to 15 minutes to deepen the flavor.
- Place the baking sheet with the foil packet into the preheated oven. Bake for about 17 minutes. The exact time may vary based on fillet thickness.
- Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. Open the foil packet to expose the salmon, keeping the sides raised to contain the juices. Set your oven to a high broil setting. Spoon the reserved butter sauce over the salmon. Broil for about 5 to 10 minutes, or until the top of the salmon is golden.
- Once the salmon is cooked through and golden on top, remove it from the oven. Sprinkle with fresh parsley for garnish. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
While this salmon is best enjoyed fresh from the oven, leftovers are still quite tasty. Let the salmon cool completely to room temperature. Then, place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will stay good for up to three days.
When it comes to reheating, be gentle. You can warm it in the microwave in short bursts or in a low temperature oven to prevent it from drying out. Leftover salmon is also wonderful cold. You can flake it over a salad, mix it into some pasta, or make a quick salmon salad for a sandwich.
Don’t overcook it. Salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork. Overcooking will make it dry. Keep a close eye on it, especially under the broiler, as all ovens are different.
Feel free to customize the herbs. Fresh dill or rosemary would also be delicious with the lemon and garlic. For a little bit of heat, you could add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the butter sauce.
When it comes to serving, this salmon pairs well with almost anything. Roasted asparagus or green beans are a great choice. You can also serve it with some fluffy rice, quinoa, or roasted potatoes to soak up that amazing sauce.
Nutrition
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