This baked garlic butter salmon turns a few simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal with minimal effort. The garlic butter sauce creates a rich, savory flavor that’s brightened with citrus, and the salmon stays incredibly moist and flaky. It’s a perfect dish for busy weeknights or a fancy date night.
Love Baked Garlic Butter Salmon? So do we! If you're into Dinner Ideas or curious about Chicken, you'll find plenty of inspiration below.
Why You’ll Love This Baked Garlic Butter Salmon
- Effortless mastery: No fancy techniques needed—just mix, slather, and bake.
- Incredible flavor: Rich butter, pungent garlic, and bright lemon create a savory, addictive taste.
- Impressive presentation: Looks and tastes gourmet but comes together in under 30 minutes.
- Versatile base: Pairs perfectly with rice, roasted veggies, or a crisp salad.
Ingredients & Tools
- 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz or 170 g each), skin-on or skinless
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Tools: A small mixing bowl, a baking sheet, parchment paper or aluminum foil, a microplane or garlic press, and a basting brush.
Notes: Fresh garlic and lemon juice provide a brighter flavor than bottled or powdered versions. Don’t skip the fresh parsley—it adds color and a fresh herbal note.
Nutrition (per serving)
| Calories: | 345 kcal |
| Protein: | 35 g |
| Fat: | 22 g |
| Carbs: | 3 g |
| Fiber: | 0.5 g |
Serves: 4 | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 12-15 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Before You Start: Tips & Ingredient Notes
- What kind of salmon should I use? I prefer skin-on, center-cut fillets for this recipe. The skin helps keep the fish moist and makes for easier handling. Look for fillets that are bright in color, firm to the touch, and have a fresh, oceanic smell—not fishy.
- Can I use salted butter? You can, but you’ll want to reduce the added salt in the recipe by about half. I like using unsalted butter so I can control the seasoning level perfectly.
- Why bring the butter to room temperature? Softened butter is crucial for creating a smooth, spreadable paste with the garlic. If your butter is too cold, it will be clumpy and difficult to work with. If you’re short on time, you can gently microwave it in 5-second bursts.
- Don’t forget to pat the salmon dry. This is a small but mighty step. Using a paper towel to pat the fillets dry ensures the garlic butter mixture sticks to the surface and helps the top get beautifully golden, rather than steaming the fish.
How to Make Baked Garlic Butter Salmon
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This high heat is key—it will cook the salmon quickly, keeping it juicy inside while creating a lovely, slightly caramelized top. While the oven heats up, line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for super easy cleanup. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.
Step 2: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix it all together until it forms a fragrant, homogenous paste. You’ll notice the aroma is already incredible. This is your flavor powerhouse.
Step 3: Arrange the lemon slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. This creates a natural rack that allows heat to circulate underneath the salmon, promoting even cooking and preventing the bottom from becoming soggy. Drizzle the olive oil over the salmon fillets and rub it in, then season both sides lightly with a little extra salt and pepper.
Step 4: Place each salmon fillet on top of the bed of lemon slices. Now, take your garlic butter paste and slather it generously over the top of each fillet, using a spoon or a basting brush to get an even coating. Make sure every bit of the surface is covered—this is what forms that delicious crust.
Step 5: Bake the salmon in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes. The exact time will depend on the thickness of your fillets. You’re looking for the salmon to be opaque and flake easily with a fork. A good rule of thumb is to cook for about 4-5 minutes per half-inch of thickness. Be careful not to overcook it, or it can become dry.
Step 6: For an extra boost of flavor and color, you can switch the oven to broil for the last 1-2 minutes of cooking. Keep a very close eye on it! The butter will bubble and the top will turn a beautiful golden brown. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the salmon rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the fish.
Step 7: To serve, you can slide a spatula underneath each fillet, lifting it with its lemon slice base. Spoon any of the buttery, lemony juices from the pan over the top for an extra dose of sauce. Garnish with a little more fresh parsley if you like.
Storage & Freshness Guide
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for best texture after thawing.
- Reviving: Reheat gently in a low oven to avoid rubberiness.
Serving Suggestions
Complementary Dishes
- Garlic Parmesan Asparagus — The nutty, cheesy flavor of the asparagus is a perfect match for the rich salmon, and it can roast in the oven at the same time.
- Lemon Herb Quinoa — This light and fluffy grain soaks up the delicious garlic butter sauce from the salmon, making every bite fantastic.
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes — For the ultimate comfort food pairing, the creamy potatoes are a dream with the flaky, buttery fish.
Drinks
- A Crisp Sauvignon Blanc — Its citrusy and herbal notes cut through the richness of the butter and complement the lemon in the dish beautifully.
- Sparkling Water with Lemon — A simple, refreshing non-alcoholic option that cleanses the palate between each savory, buttery bite.
- A Light Pale Ale — The slight bitterness and carbonation of a pale ale can stand up to the strong garlic flavor without overwhelming the delicate salmon.
Something Sweet
- Lemon Sorbet — A bright, tart, and refreshing dessert that continues the citrus theme and cleanses the palate perfectly after a rich meal.
- Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta — The simple, creamy, and cool texture of panna cotta provides a lovely, smooth contrast to the savory main course.
- Fresh Berry Crumble — The sweet and slightly tart berries with a buttery, crunchy topping feel like a natural, comforting end to the meal.
Top Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcooking the salmon. This is the number one mistake. Salmon continues to cook after it comes out of the oven (carryover cooking), so it’s best to remove it when it’s just slightly underdone in the very center. Overcooked salmon becomes dry and chalky.
- Using cold, hard butter. If your butter isn’t properly softened, you’ll end up with a chunky, uneven paste that’s difficult to spread. This can lead to pockets of intense garlic flavor and other areas with none
Baked Garlic Butter Salmon
Make perfect Baked Garlic Butter Salmon in under 30 minutes. This easy recipe delivers moist, flaky fish with a rich, savory sauce. Get the simple steps now!
Ingredients
For the salmon and sauce:
-
4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz or 170 g each, skin-on or skinless)
-
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
-
4 cloves garlic (minced)
-
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
-
1 teaspoon fresh parsley (chopped)
-
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
-
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
-
1 lemon (thinly sliced)
-
1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
-
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This high heat is key—it will cook the salmon quickly, keeping it juicy inside while creating a lovely, slightly caramelized top. While the oven heats up, line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for super easy cleanup.01
-
In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix it all together until it forms a fragrant, homogenous paste.02
-
Arrange the lemon slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. This creates a natural rack that allows heat to circulate underneath the salmon, promoting even cooking and preventing the bottom from becoming soggy. Drizzle the olive oil over the salmon fillets and rub it in, then season both sides lightly with a little extra salt and pepper.03
-
Place each salmon fillet on top of the bed of lemon slices. Now, take your garlic butter paste and slather it generously over the top of each fillet, using a spoon or a basting brush to get an even coating. Make sure every bit of the surface is covered—this is what forms that delicious crust.04
-
Bake the salmon in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes. The exact time will depend on the thickness of your fillets. You’re looking for the salmon to be opaque and flake easily with a fork. A good rule of thumb is to cook for about 4-5 minutes per half-inch of thickness. Be careful not to overcook it, or it can become dry.05
-
For an extra boost of flavor and color, you can switch the oven to broil for the last 1-2 minutes of cooking. Keep a very close eye on it! The butter will bubble and the top will turn a beautiful golden brown. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the salmon rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the fish.06
-
To serve, you can slide a spatula underneath each fillet, lifting it with its lemon slice base. Spoon any of the buttery, lemony juices from the pan over the top for an extra dose of sauce. Garnish with a little more fresh parsley if you like.07
Not what you're looking for?
