Easy and Delicious Baked Salmon with Butter Garlic Sauce

In our house, we love salmon. It is such a delicious seafood and so good for us. When I found a new way to prepare it, I had to share this easy and delicious baked salmon with butter garlic sauce.

Are you a seafood lover? If you crave a mouthwatering seafood dish that’s both impressive and effortless, check out this simple and delicious baked salmon with butter, garlic, lemon, and fresh parsley.

Our local grocery store has a wonderful variety of salmon to choose from. We usually buy whatever one is on sale.

This preparation delivers a rich, flaky texture of perfectly cooked salmon that pairs beautifully with the luscious garlic butter sauce that will have your taste buds dancing.

Why This Recipe?

A few weeks ago, I was looking for recipes for my girlfriends’ Valentine’s dinner party. My first idea was to make my favorite Beef Bourguignon. But I decided I didn’t want to spend that much time in preparation. Also, I thought a lighter main course would be more appropriate for a ladies’ dinner.

Since I prepare salmon at least once a week and it is a light dish, I thought about salmon. Once I confirmed that everyone coming to the party liked salmon, (Our SIL doesn’t so I’m cautious.) I searched for a recipe that was easy to prepare for up to eight people.

Normally, I prepare salmon by pan-roasting it. That method creates a slightly crisp and golden brown sear on top. But that method wouldn’t work for hosting a party.

I needed something easier to prep and finish during my dinner party.

Baking the salmon would be the best option. All preparation can be done ahead of time and then popped in a preheated oven.

I’ve often added garlic to the skillet when pan-roasting the salmon. Then I’ve finished it off with a generous squeeze of lemon juice and chopped fresh parsley. Why not combine those ingredients during the cooking process? Instead of pan-roasting, I would bake the salmon.

When I served the salmon for my Valentine’s dinner party, everyone raved about the recipe.

I knew I wanted to make it again for Sweet Shark and me.

Baked Salmon Recipe

Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, this dish is guaranteed to become a favorite in your culinary recipe box.

Not only is it incredibly flavorful, but it’s also a nutritious option that can be prepared in under 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or elegant dinner parties.

And it is so easy to make, whether for two or four or for a dinner party of eight.

What sets this recipe apart is its versatility and simplicity. You’ll be amazed at how a few simple ingredients can transform into a restaurant-quality meal right in your own kitchen.

Salmon is an easily available seafood in multiple varieties. It has so many benefits and can be prepared in several ways which makes it a great option for family weeknights or as the main course for a special dinner for friends.

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Equipment

You’ll love that this recipe requires few tools to make or clean up.

• chef’s knife
• cutting board
• measuring spoons
• fish knife or kitchen shears, optional
• small bowl – for melting butter
• small spoon – for drizzling sauce
• lemon juicer
• half sheet pan
• aluminum foil, optional
• metal spatula or tongs

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to create this delectable dish:

• Fresh salmon fillets – about 6 ounces per serving
• Unsalted butter – 1 tablespoon per serving
• Minced garlic – 1 garlic clove per serving
• Cayenne, paprika or other seasoning – about 1/4 teaspoon per serving
• Lemon juice – about 3/4 of a tablespoon per serving
• Fresh herbs (such as parsley, thyme, or rosemary)
• Kosher salt and freshly ground. pepper
• Lemon slices – 1/2 slice per serving.

Get ready to elevate your dinner game with this delightful baked salmon drizzled with a delectable butter sauce laced with the flavors of garlic and lemon.

Instructions to Bake the Salmon Fillets

• Prepare all the ingredients for the sauce and set aside. (I forgot to include the paprika in this image of ingredients.)

• Make sure your salmon fillets are 4 – 6 ounces. If your salmon fillets are larger, cut across to create more “square” pieces. Ask your fish monger to cut them to your desired weight.
• Look for salmon that has a nice amount of fat. This is what makes salmon moist and flavorful. Fat from salmon is the good kind. Our favorites are Verlasso, Wester Ross, and Norwegian.

• Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels.
• Cover a half-sheet pan with foil (I reused a piece of foil – it’s clean.)

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• Melt the butter in the mircowave and add the minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, pepper, paprika, and lemon juice and stir until mixed. You can also combine all the sauce ingredients and then microwave to melt the butter – that’s what I did for the Valentine’s party for convenience.

• Spoon the butter sauce on the salmon fillets.

• Bake the salmon fillets in the preheated oven. I baked mine between 10 – 12 minutes for medium rare.
• Place a salmon fillet on a serving plate and top with additional chopped parsley and a half slice of lemon.

What to Serve with the Baked Salmon

Another thing I like about this baked salmon recipe is how versatile it is. You can pick just about any green vegetable and starch you like.

• For the Valentine’s dinner, we served the salmon with roasted sweet potatoes and green beans.
• Roasted okra (yes! – one of our favorites) and roasted baby new potatoes.
• For this dish, I made buttered English peas and toasted orzo. I spooned a little of the butter sauce over the orzo.
• Roasted broccoli, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, thickly-sliced zucchini or carrots
• Couscous (regular or pearl), wild rice, sliced sautéed potatoes.

Choose vegetables and starches that complement each other in terms of color and shape.

Serve with a nice glass of Chardonnay.

I hope you will try this recipe. Here is another easy and yummy recipe – Weeknight Easy Mustard Roasted Fish Recipe.

Pin this recipe to your favorite boards to save. Check out my Seafood Recipes Board.