Zesty Lemon Butter Garlic Salmon Recipe – Ready in Minutes

Succulent lemon butter garlic salmon revolutionizes ordinary seafood into a culinary masterpiece that dances with vibrant flavors.

Home cooks love preparing this elegant dish that requires minimal ingredients and maximum technique.

Delicate fish fillets absorb rich, zesty notes from carefully balanced seasonings and smooth, velvety butter.

Mediterranean-inspired preparations elevate this protein with bright, aromatic elements that complement its natural textures.

Restaurants often feature similar recipes because the combination promises both sophistication and simplicity on any dinner plate.

Professional chefs appreciate how quickly these ingredients meld into a harmonious, mouthwatering experience that impresses even discerning palates.

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

Ingredients for Lemon Butter Garlic Salmon Magic

• Salmon Fillets: Fresh, wild-caught salmon preferred for best flavor and texture. Skin-on or skinless work well.

• Lemon Juice: Bright citrus flavor that helps tenderize the fish and adds freshness.
• Olive Oil: Helps distribute flavors and prevents salmon from drying out.
• Garlic: Provides robust, aromatic flavor to the salmon.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds tangy depth and helps emulsify the marinade.

• Butter: Creates rich, smooth base for the sauce with deep flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Provides silky, luxurious texture to the sauce.
• Garlic: Adds additional aromatic dimension to the sauce.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens the sauce and balances the richness.

• Ground Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and sharp flavor.
• Salt: Enhances overall taste of the dish.

• Fresh Parsley: Adds color, freshness, and light herbal note to the final dish.

Cooking Up Lemon Butter Garlic Salmon Bliss

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Preheat the oven to 425°F/220°C, positioning the rack in the center of the oven.

Step 2: Create Flavor Marinade

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

Mix ingredients until well combined.

Step 3: Season and Bake Salmon

• Pour the marinade over the fillets
• Gently rub the mixture into the fish
• Sprinkle with ground black pepper
• Add salt to taste

Bake for 10-15 minutes in the preheated oven.

Step 4: Craft Creamy Sauce

• Melt butter
• Add minced garlic
• Sauté for 20 seconds until fragrant

Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle boil until sauce slightly thickens.

Step 5: Finish and Garnish

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

Step 6: Serve and Rest

Pour the creamy sauce over the baked salmon.

Allow the dish to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Flavor Boosting Tips for Garlic Butter Salmon

• Select Fresh Salmon: Choose high-quality, bright-colored salmon fillets without discoloration or strong fishy smell for the best flavor and texture.
• Avoid Overcooking: Watch salmon closely and remove from oven when it's just opaque and easily flakes with a fork to prevent drying out.
• Enhance Marinade Flavor: Let salmon sit in the lemon-garlic mixture for 15-20 minutes before baking to allow deeper seasoning penetration.
• Perfect Sauce Consistency: Stir cream sauce constantly and remove from heat immediately after it starts to thicken to prevent burning or separating.
• Garnish Wisely: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley just before serving to maintain vibrant color and add a burst of fresh herb flavor.

Keeping Lemon Butter Salmon Fresh & Juicy

• Refrigeration: Transfer leftover salmon to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking. Consume within 2-3 days for best quality and safety. Cool the salmon completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Reheating: Gently warm salmon in the oven at 275°F to prevent drying out. Place salmon in a baking dish, add a splash of water or leftover sauce, and cover with foil. Heat for 10-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 145°F. Avoid microwaving, which can make the fish tough and rubbery.
• Freezing: Wrap salmon tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months.

What to Serve with Lemon Garlic Salmon

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Complement the rich, buttery salmon with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, cutting through the creamy sauce and enhancing the lemon's bright notes.
• Serve with Roasted Asparagus: Create a perfect side dish that mirrors the salmon's garlic and lemon flavors, adding a fresh green element to balance the protein's richness.
• Match with Herbed Quinoa: Prepare a light, protein-packed quinoa side seasoned with fresh parsley, which echoes the dish's herb garnish and provides a nutty counterpoint to the creamy sauce.
• Cool Down with Citrus Salad: Add a zesty, refreshing citrus salad with orange and grapefruit segments to brighten the plate and provide a palate-cleansing contrast to the salmon's decadent sauce.

Lemon Butter Garlic Salmon Twist Ideas

• Mediterranean Marvel: Replace Dijon mustard with oregano and add chopped kalamata olives to the marinade, creating a Greek-inspired salmon experience with richer Mediterranean flavors.
• Spicy Cajun Kick: Incorporate Cajun seasoning blend into the marinade, sprinkle cayenne pepper on salmon, and use blackened cooking technique for a zesty, bold southern-style preparation.
• Asian Fusion Approach: Swap Dijon mustard with soy sauce, add grated ginger, and replace parsley with chopped green onions, transforming the recipe into an east-meets-west culinary adventure with complex, umami-rich notes.
• Herb Garden Edition: Mix fresh dill, thyme, and chives into the marinade, using herb-infused butter instead of plain butter, elevating the salmon with bright, aromatic herb profiles that complement the fish's natural richness.

What Makes Lemon Butter Garlic Salmon Shine

• Burst of Zesty Flavors: The combination of lemon, garlic, and Dijon mustard creates a bright, tangy explosion that transforms ordinary salmon into a mouthwatering dish bursting with vibrant Mediterranean-inspired tastes.
• Foolproof Cooking Method: Baking the salmon in the oven ensures a perfectly cooked, tender fish every time, making this recipe incredibly forgiving for home cooks of all skill levels. The simple one-pan technique means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.
• Luxurious Cream Sauce Upgrade: The rich, velvety butter garlic cream sauce elevates the salmon from good to gourmet, adding a decadent touch that makes this dish feel like a restaurant-quality meal prepared right in your own kitchen. Smooth, silky sauce drizzled over perfectly cooked salmon creates an irresistible combination that will impress family and dinner guests alike.

Lemon Butter Garlic Salmon Recipe

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4.8 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Succulent lemon butter garlic salmon brings Mediterranean coastal flavors to dinner tables with elegant simplicity. Delicate fish fillets bathe in a luxurious sauce that elevates weeknight meals into memorable culinary experiences you’ll savor with delight.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 5 salmon fillets (skinless), about 150 g/5 ounces each
• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• ½ cup heavy cream or half and half

Seasoning and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (for salmon)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 garlic clove (minced, for salmon)
• 2 tablespoons old style Dijon mustard
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper (for salmon)
• Salt, to taste

Sauce and Garnish Ingredients:

• 1 ½ tablespoons garlic cloves (minced)
• 1–2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (for sauce, optional)
• 1 tablespoon parsley (finely chopped)
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper (for sauce)
• Lemon slices, for serving

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C), positioning the rack centrally to ensure even cooking of the salmon.
2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together freshly squeezed lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, and Dijon mustard until thoroughly combined.
3. Arrange the salmon fillets in a skillet, generously coating them with the prepared marinade. Massage the mixture into the fish to enhance flavor penetration.
4. Sprinkle kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper over the salmon to season the fillets evenly.
5. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the salmon reaches a delicate, flaky texture and opaque appearance.
6. While the salmon cooks, prepare the accompanying sauce by melting unsalted butter in a saucepan over low-medium heat.
7. Add finely chopped garlic to the melted butter and sauté for 20-30 seconds, releasing its aromatic essence without browning.
8. Pour heavy cream into the butter and garlic mixture, allowing it to simmer and gradually thicken.
9. Remove the sauce from heat and optionally stir in additional lemon juice for brightness.
10. Once the salmon is cooked, remove from the oven and let it rest for 5-7 minutes to retain moisture.
11. Drizzle the creamy garlic sauce over the salmon fillets.
12. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and a final crack of black pepper before serving.

Notes

• Choose fresh, high-quality salmon fillets for the best flavor and texture, ensuring they are properly scaled and deboned.
• Pat salmon dry with paper towels before seasoning to help achieve a crispy exterior and enhance sauce absorption.
• Avoid overcooking salmon by checking doneness at 10 minutes; fish should be opaque and flake easily with a fork.
• Use room temperature ingredients for smoother sauce blending and more consistent cooking results.
• Consider removing salmon skin before serving for a more elegant presentation, though crispy skin can be deliciously enjoyable.
• Pair this dish with light sides like roasted asparagus, quinoa, or a fresh green salad to complement the rich, buttery salmon.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 392 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 286 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 3 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 135 mg