One-Pan Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon
This one-pan lemon garlic butter salmon bakes to tender, flaky perfection in a bright, garlicky butter sauce ready in under 30 minutes with minimal cleanup. A fresh, flavorful weeknight dinner hero!
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets about 6 oz / 170 g each; skin-on or skinless
- 1 tsp kosher salt or to taste
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1–2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped (optional)
- 1 lemon thinly sliced (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a sheet pan with parchment or use an oven-safe skillet.
- Place salmon on the pan, skin-side down if using. Pat dry; season with salt and pepper.
- In a small saucepan (or microwave-safe cup), melt butter. Stir in garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, and olive oil.
- Pour lemon-garlic butter over salmon; top with lemon slices if using.
- Bake 12–15 minutes, depending on thickness, until salmon flakes easily and reaches 145°F (63°C).
- Garnish with parsley and serve, spooning pan sauce over the top.
Notes
- Add veggies to the pan (cherry tomatoes, asparagus, thin zucchini) for an all-in-one meal.
- For heat, add ¼–½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes to the butter.
- Extra richness: splash in 1–2 tbsp white wine or 1 tsp Dijon.
- Grill/foil method: wrap fillets with the butter sauce in foil and grill 8–12 minutes.
- Storage: Refrigerate up to 3 days; reheat gently at 300°F (150°C) with a splash of water or butter. Avoid overcooking.