Description
This Garlic Herb Butter Salmon is a flavorful and easy-to-make baked salmon dish perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner. Salmon fillets are coated in a fragrant garlic herb butter sauce and baked to tender, flaky perfection, then served with fresh lemon wedges for a bright finish.
Ingredients
Salmon
- 4 fillets salmon (6 ounces each)
Garlic Herb Butter Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Seasonings and Garnish
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Melt Butter: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter until fully liquid.
- Sauté Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the melted butter and sauté for about 1-2 minutes, just until fragrant but not browned, to infuse the butter with garlic flavor.
- Add Herbs and Lemon: Remove the saucepan from the heat, then stir in the freshly chopped parsley, dill, and lemon juice to create the herb butter sauce. Set this aside.
- Prepare Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry thoroughly with a paper towel to ensure even cooking and better sauce adherence. Place them in the lined baking dish.
- Season Salmon: Season both sides of each salmon fillet with salt and pepper according to your taste.
- Apply Sauce: Evenly pour the garlic herb butter mixture over the salmon fillets, making sure each piece is well coated.
- Bake Salmon: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and is cooked through but still moist.
- Rest: Remove the salmon from the oven and let it rest for a couple of minutes to allow the juices to redistribute.
- Serve: Serve the salmon fillets with fresh lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the top to add a bright citrus finish.
Notes
- Do not overcook the salmon to prevent it from becoming dry; check for flakiness with a fork around 12 minutes.
- Fresh herbs add the best flavor, but dried herbs can be substituted in a pinch—use about one-third of the amount.
- Use parchment paper or a lightly greased baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Serve with your favorite side dishes like steamed vegetables, rice, or a fresh salad for a balanced meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
