Zesty Baked Salmon with Lemon Butter Cream Sauce Recipe

Baked salmon emerges as a culinary masterpiece that enhances simple ingredients into an elegant dining experience.

Marine proteins become irresistibly tender when prepared with thoughtful techniques and complementary seasonings.

Delicate fish requires precise cooking methods to preserve its natural moisture and delightful texture.

Seafood enthusiasts appreciate how gentle heat unlocks rich, succulent flavors hidden within these magnificent marine fillets.

Nutritional benefits accompany each perfectly prepared portion, offering remarkable protein and essential omega-3 fatty acids.

Mediterranean cooking traditions inspire this method of preparing fish with minimal intervention and maximum flavor enhancement.

Sophisticated yet uncomplicated, this recipe promises a restaurant-quality meal you can craft in your own kitchen.

What Makes Lemon Butter Cream Salmon So Rich

• Elevate Weeknight Dining: Transform an ordinary evening into a gourmet experience with this restaurant-quality salmon dish that's surprisingly simple to prepare in under 30 minutes.
• Luxurious Flavor Explosion: The combination of tangy lemon, rich butter cream sauce, and perfectly baked salmon creates a harmonious blend of creamy, zesty, and savory notes that dance on your taste buds.
• Effortless Gourmet Cooking: Master a professional-level recipe with minimal cooking skills, using basic kitchen tools and ingredients that deliver impressive restaurant-style results without complicated techniques.
• Versatile Meal Companion: Pair this elegant salmon with multiple side dishes like mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables, making it perfect for quick family dinners or elegant dinner parties.

Ingredients for Baked Salmon in Lemon Cream Sauce

• Salmon Fillets: Fresh, wild-caught salmon with a rich, buttery flavor and excellent omega-3 content. Choose fillets with firm, bright flesh and minimal fishy smell.

• Lemon Juice, Olive Oil: Bright, zesty marinade that tenderizes and adds freshness to the salmon.
• Garlic, Dijon Mustard: Aromatic ingredients that provide depth and subtle tangy flavor to the fish.
• Ground Black Pepper, Salt: Classic seasonings that enhance the salmon's natural taste.

• Butter: Rich, creamy base that creates a luxurious sauce with a smooth texture.
• Heavy Cream: Provides silky consistency and adds richness to the lemon butter sauce.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that adds a bright, green garnish and subtle herbaceous notes.

How to Bake Salmon in Butter Cream Sauce

Step 1: Prep the Oven

Crank up your oven to 425°F and position the rack right in the center for perfect cooking.

Step 2: Create Flavor Marinade

• Lemon juice
• Olive oil
• Minced garlic
• Dijon mustard

Mix ingredients until well combined.

Step 3: Season and Prepare Salmon

• Ground black pepper
• Salt

Step 4: Bake the Salmon

Slide the skillet into the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes. Check that salmon flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.

Step 5: Craft Creamy Sauce

• Melt butter
• Add minced garlic
• Sauté for 20 seconds until fragrant
• Pour in heavy cream
• Bring to a gentle boil
• Allow sauce to slightly thicken

Step 6: Final Sauce Touch

• Stir in additional lemon juice (optional)
• Sprinkle with fresh parsley
• Season with black pepper and salt to taste

Step 7: Plate and Serve

• Mashed potatoes
• Steamed broccoli
• Scalloped potatoes
• Roasted asparagus
• Homemade pasta

Tips for Creamy Lemon Sauce Perfection

• Prevent Overcooking: Watch salmon closely during baking, as just a few extra minutes can dry out the delicate fish. Use a meat thermometer to ensure perfect doneness at 145°F.
• Select Fresh Salmon: Choose bright, firm fillets with a mild ocean scent. Wild-caught salmon typically offers richer flavor and better texture than farm-raised options.
• Master the Sauce Consistency: Stir cream sauce continuously to prevent burning and achieve a smooth, silky texture. Remove from heat immediately when it starts to thicken.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Marinate salmon for 15-30 minutes before cooking to infuse more lemon and garlic notes throughout the fish.
• Perfectly Crisp Edges: Pat salmon skin dry before seasoning to help achieve a beautifully golden, crispy exterior when baking.

How to Keep Salmon Tender After Reheating

• Refrigerate leftover salmon immediately in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store the salmon and sauce separately to maintain the best texture and flavor. Consume refrigerated salmon within 1-2 days for optimal taste and safety. Gently reheat in the microwave or oven at 275°F for 5-7 minutes, covering the fish with a damp paper towel to prevent drying out. Avoid reheating multiple times, as this can compromise the salmon's delicate texture and increase bacteria risk. For best results, add a splash of cream or butter when reheating to restore moisture and prevent the fish from becoming tough or rubbery.

Side Ideas for Lemon Cream Salmon

• Pair with Crisp Chardonnay: A buttery Chardonnay complements the rich lemon butter cream sauce, matching the salmon's delicate texture and enhancing the creamy flavors.
• Serve Alongside Roasted Garlic Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes create a perfect base for the salmon, absorbing the luxurious sauce and providing a comforting side that balances the fish's delicate nature.
• Add Fresh Herb Salad: A light, zesty green salad with fresh herbs like dill and parsley cuts through the richness of the salmon and cream sauce, bringing a refreshing contrast to the meal.
• Choose Dry Riesling: A crisp, dry Riesling offers bright acidity that beautifully cuts through the butter cream sauce while highlighting the salmon's lemony undertones.

Flavor Swaps for Baked Salmon Variations

• Mediterranean Herb Salmon: Coat salmon with a blend of dried oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary before baking. Swap lemon butter cream sauce with a light tzatziki made from Greek yogurt, cucumber, and fresh dill.
• Spicy Asian Salmon: Marinate salmon in soy sauce, ginger, and sriracha. Replace lemon butter cream sauce with a quick teriyaki glaze using soy sauce, mirin, and honey. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
• Cajun Blackened Salmon: Rub salmon with a homemade Cajun spice mix containing paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, and thyme. Serve with a cool remoulade sauce instead of the lemon butter cream sauce.
• Maple Mustard Glazed Salmon: Brush salmon with a mixture of maple syrup and whole grain mustard before baking. Create a lighter cream sauce using maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and a touch of apple cider vinegar.

Baked Salmon With Lemon Butter Cream Sauce Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Succulent salmon fillets nestle beneath a luxurious lemon butter cream sauce, promising Mediterranean coastal elegance on your plate. Delicate herbs and zesty citrus notes elevate this simple yet sophisticated dish, inviting you to savor each perfectly balanced bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets
• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• ½ cup heavy cream or half and half

Seasonings and Aromatics:

• 1 ½ tablespoons garlic cloves (minced)
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1–2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon parsley (finely chopped)

Garnish:

• Lemon slices, for serving

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C), positioning the rack in the center to ensure even cooking.
2. Create a marinade by whisking together fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, and Dijon mustard in a medium mixing bowl until well combined.
3. Transfer salmon fillets into a skillet or baking dish, generously coating each piece with the prepared marinade. Massage the mixture into the fish to enhance flavor absorption.
4. Season the salmon with freshly ground black pepper and kosher salt, ensuring even distribution.
5. Place the skillet or baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the salmon becomes flaky and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
6. While the salmon bakes, prepare the lemon butter cream sauce by melting unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over low-medium heat.
7. Add finely minced garlic to the melted butter and sauté for approximately 20 seconds, releasing its aromatic qualities.
8. Gradually pour heavy cream into the butter and garlic mixture, bringing the sauce to a gentle boil and allowing it to thicken slightly.
9. Remove the sauce from heat and incorporate additional lemon juice if desired, creating a balanced and creamy consistency.
10. Season the sauce with black pepper and salt according to personal taste preferences.
11. Once the salmon is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 3-5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute.
12. Drizzle the warm lemon butter cream sauce generously over the baked salmon.
13. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for added color and flavor.
14. Serve alongside complementary side dishes such as creamy mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli, scalloped potatoes, roasted asparagus, or atop homemade pasta.

Notes

• Achieve perfectly cooked salmon by using an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature reaches 145°F for food safety and optimal tenderness.
• Select fresh, high-quality salmon fillets with a bright color and firm texture to ensure the best flavor and most luxurious dining experience.
• Customize the lemon butter cream sauce by adjusting garlic intensity or adding fresh herbs like dill or chives for a personalized touch.
• Prevent sauce separation by maintaining low-medium heat and stirring continuously while preparing the cream sauce.
• Pair this elegant dish with light, crisp white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the rich salmon and creamy sauce.
• Leftover salmon can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, making it a convenient meal prep option.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American-French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320 kcal
• Sugar: 0.5 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fiber: 0.2 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg