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A close-up of the flaky texture of baked salmon, with a fork gently breaking off a piece, showing the moist interior.

Baked Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon (The BEST Recipe!)

This Baked Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon is the perfect easy weeknight dinner! In just 20 minutes, you get a flaky, tender, and succulent salmon dinner drenched in a rich and tangy lemon garlic butter sauce that's truly unforgettable.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Salmon
  • 1.5 lbs salmon fillet about 1-inch thick
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground
For the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 lemon juiced and sliced
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes optional

Equipment

  • 1 Baking Sheet
  • 1 Small Bowl

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the salmon fillet dry with paper towels. Place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  2. Drizzle the salmon with olive oil and generously season both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  3. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, and the juice of half a lemon.
  4. Pour about half of the lemon garlic butter sauce over the salmon fillet. Arrange thin lemon slices on top. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through.
  5. Pour the remaining sauce over the hot salmon. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and optional red pepper flakes. Serve immediately.

Notes

Tip 1: Don't overcook the salmon! Use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness. The internal temperature should be 145°F at the thickest part.
Tip 2: For extra flavor, let the salmon marinate in the sauce for 15 minutes before baking.
Tip 3: Add asparagus or cherry tomatoes to the pan to make it a complete one-pan meal.