Put a quick dinner on the table with this Baked Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon recipe. It’s easy to make and tastes delicious – perfect for busy weeknights!
I have to say, I feel incredibly lucky that both my kids enjoy fish as much as they do. And not just as Crispy Oven Fried Fish, aka homemade fish fingers! They love fish in pretty much any shape or form, so we have it for dinner at least a few times every month.
This is one of my favorite ways to make salmon (or most fish – it’s very similar to my Garlic Butter Lemon Baked Cod!). Easy, quick and so helpful to have in your backpocket on those super busy weeknights!
Ingredients you’ll need
Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities!
Ingredient notes
Salmon
You can either use pre-cut fillets or an entire side of salmon for this recipe.
The side of salmon tends to take an extra 5-10 minutes compared to the fillets. The exact baking time will always depend on the thickness of your salmon though.
Seasoning
I enjoy the flavor of Italian herbs in this recipe, but feel free to switch it up to your taste. Parsley or dill are very delicious, too!
Lemon juice
I used freshly squeezed lemon juice, but juice from a bottle works just as well.
Butter
The butter forms rich and delicious juices to serve over the salmon. If you need the recipe to be dairy free, feel free to use a dairy free butter, or simply drizzle more olive oil over the fish.
How to make baked salmon
1. Start by lining a pan with aluminum foil, then brush it with olive oil.
Place the salmon on top of the oiled foil. It’s fine to have the fish close together, just don’t let it overlap!
2. Combine the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic and seasoning in a small bowl. It will form a paste-like topping.
Spread it evenly over the salmon pieces, then dot with cubed butter.
3. Finally, tent the foil over the salmon and crimp it to seal.
Now just bake it, and dinner will be ready!
Recipe tips
Bake from frozen
It works, even though it’s not my preferred thing to do because it tends to overcook the outside until the middle is done.
But do you ever forget to take meat or fish out of the freezer for dinner? Yep, me too.
For those “oops moments” it can be an absolute lifesaver to be able to bake salmon from frozen.Just follow the recipe. The salmon will take approximately twice as long to bake from frozen vs thawed or fresh.
Baking time
I hate to be so vague, but the exact cooking temperature will greatly depend on the exact size and thickness of your salmon fillet.
It’s generally safe to say it takes around 15 minutes to cook salmon fillets in the oven at 400°F though.
An entire salmon side may take a little longer and small fillets may be done closer to the 10 minute mark.You can tell the fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork. To be safe, check the internal temperature at the thickness part with an instant read thermometer.
Internal temperature for salmon
The USDA recommends cooking salmon to an internal temperature of at least 145°F to be safe for consumption. You can see the full chart here.
I recommend getting an instant read thermometer, I love using mine and never have to worry about under- or overcooking dinner again. You can get one here on Amazon (FYI, this is an affiliate link and I earn. commission for purchases made after clicking through).
Serving ideas
We love this salmon with a veggie and a starch on the side. Roasted baby potatoes, mashed potatoes or rice are starchy faves to go with this recipe.
For a veggie, we often do a spinach salad, roasted asparagus (when it’s in season), sautéed green beans or a simple side of roasted broccoli.
When I’m feeling incredibly lazy, I just throw some sliced zucchini, peppers and onions on a sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and herbs and put the dish with the salmon right next to it so everything cooks in the oven at the same time ?
More easy salmon recipes
PS If you try this recipe, please leave a review in the comment section and add a star rating in the recipe card – I appreciate your feedback! Follow along on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram.
Printable recipe
Baked Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon
Recipe details
Equipment
- Rimmed Baking Dish
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds salmon fillet
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic finely minced; more or less to taste
- ½ lemon juice only
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter diced
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place a large piece of aluminum foil in a large rimmed baking dish that will comfortably hold all of your salmon (the baking dish is to catch any drippings – way easier to clean than your oven!).
- Season fish: Lightly grease the foil with olive oil. Place the salmon fillets on top (they can be close together if using individual fillets, just not on top of each other). Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and evenly scatter garlic on top. Drizzle with lemon juice and sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Dot with butter. Seal foil over salmon.
- Bake: Bake for 10-15 minutes (depending on the thickness of your fillets) or until salmon flakes easily. Serve immediately.
Notes
Ingredient notes
Salmon
You can either use pre-cut fillets or an entire side of salmon for this recipe. The side of salmon tends to take an extra 5-10 minutes compared to the fillets. The exact baking time will always depend on the thickness of your salmon though.Ingredient notes
- Seasoning: I enjoy the flavor of Italian herbs in this recipe, but feel free to switch it up to your taste. Parsley or dill are very delicious, too!
- Lemon juice: I used freshly squeezed lemon juice, but juice from a bottle works just as well.
- Butter: The butter forms rich and delicious juices to serve over the salmon. If you need the recipe to be dairy free, feel free to use a dairy free butter, or simply drizzle more olive oil over the fish.
Bake from frozen:
It works, even though it’s not my preferred thing to do because it tends to overcook the outside until the middle is done. If you need to cook your fish from frozen, just follow the recipe. The salmon will take approximately twice as long to bake from frozen vs thawed or fresh.Baking time:
The exact cooking temperature will greatly depend on the exact size and thickness of your salmon fillet. It’s generally safe to say it takes around 15 minutes to cook salmon fillets in the oven at 400°F though. An entire salmon side may take a little longer and small fillets may be done closer to the 10 minute mark. You can tell the fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork. To be safe, check the internal temperature at the thickness part with an instant read thermometer.Internal temperature
The USDA recommends cooking salmon to an internal temperature of at least 145°F to be safe for consumption. You can see the full chart here. I recommend getting an instant read thermometer, I love using mine and never have to worry about under- or overcooking dinner again. You can get one here on Amazon (FYI, this is an affiliate link and I earn a commission for purchases made after clicking through).Nutrition
More recipe information
More fish recipes
Recipe first published on 04/17/2019. Updated with new photos, video and tips on 01/05/2021. The recipe has stayed the same.
Rebecca says
Had to make substitutions but still turned out so tasty! I’m a terrible cook and even i managed this!
Nora says
I’m so glad, Rebecca! And most good cooks probably started out as terrible ones 😉
Tiffany says
this was amazing. I used remoulade sauce for dipping. recipe is a keeper 👌
C.t King says
Thanks. Turned out perfectly with rice
Jayne Poullos says
Totally delicious and nutritious! So easy to prepare and pairs well with roasted baby potatoes and grilled veggies.
Cassidy says
best salmon I have ever made!!! Absolutely delicious!
Nora says
I’m so glad, Cassidy!
Nicki says
Very easy to make and so delicious!
Jennie says
Fabulous recipe, thank you! I cooked up over 4.5 lbs of salmon for ten people who were arriving at different times, so was a bit anxious that it would be over cooked or dry or – you name it – but my fears all came to nothing and the salmon was absolutely perfect!
Nora says
I’m so glad to hear this, Jennie!
Laurence H says
Comes out perfect every time, as long as I don’t overcook it. I usually line the bottom of the dish with veggies: asparagus works great, green beans and carrots, too. I like to cover the salmon with freshly chopped dill. The best part of the recipe is that whatever cut of salmon I use, it never comes out ‘fishy’ tasting. I’ve been using variations on this recipe for many years.
Maria says
Delicious and so easy!!!!
Mari says
This was amazing!! I am not talented in the kitchen at all, and this was incredibly easy to make/follow for a beginner like me. Plus it was delicious!
Nora Rusev says
I’m so glad, Mari!