Description
A delicious baked salmon recipe featuring tender salmon fillets topped with a creamy lemon butter garlic sauce. This elegant yet easy-to-make dish is perfect for a healthy dinner and pairs well with steamed vegetables or rice.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For The Salmon
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 minced garlic clove
- 2 tablespoons old-style Dijon mustard
- 5 skinless salmon fillets, about 5 oz. each
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- salt, to taste
Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or half and half
- 1-2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, optional
- 1 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- lemon slices for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, and Dijon mustard to create the marinade.
- Marinate the Salmon: Place salmon fillets in a shallow dish, season with salt and black pepper, then brush the marinade evenly over each fillet. Let them sit for 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to preheat for baking the salmon.
- Bake the Salmon: Arrange the marinated salmon fillets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Prepare the Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce: While salmon bakes, melt unsalted butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Finish the Sauce: Add lemon juice (if using), chopped parsley, and black pepper to the cream mixture. Simmer for another 2 minutes until slightly thickened, then remove from heat.
- Serve the Dish: Place baked salmon on plates, spoon the warm lemon butter garlic sauce over the fillets, and garnish with lemon slices. Serve immediately for best flavor.
Notes
- Best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.
- Reheat gently in the oven or microwave to keep the salmon moist.
- Freezing is not recommended as the cream sauce may separate and affect the texture.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best citrus flavor in both marinade and sauce.
- If preferred, half and half can be used instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salmon fillet with sauce
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
