The most flavorful Garlic Butter Baked Salmon that is tender, flaky and coated in a rich garlicky sauce with lemon and Dijon. This simple healthy recipe easily comes together in under 20 minutes!
You guys, this Garlic Butter Baked Salmon might be the easiest recipe you’ll ever make. Tender salmon coated in a rich lemon garlic butter sauce that comes together in under 20 minutes! The butter is infused with lemon, garlic, and a touch of Dijon mustard which not only adds flavor, but keeps the salmon moist and tender. Serve over rice with fresh veggies or your favorite sides for a complete meal. This delicious salmon is easy enough for busy weeknights and elevated enough for date night!
Why You’ll Love This
- Quick and easy – this baked salmon recipe easily comes together in under 20 minutes using simple pantry ingredients. One of our go-to recipes for the weeknights.
- Healthy – salmon is packed with protein and heart-healthy omega-3 fats making this a nourishing meal that feels elevated and indulgent while also being a low carb option.
- Versatile – this garlic butter salmon pairs well with so many sides like roasted vegetables, green beans, rice, mashed potatoes, pasta or a side salad.
- Great for meal prep – leftovers reheat beautifully and can be served on salads, grain bowls or wraps the next day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- salmon – you’ll want four 6 oz evenly sized filets of wild salmon with the skin on. I usually get my salmon fresh from the grocer, but feel free to use frozen filets too. Just make sure the salmon is thawed if you are using frozen filets.
- butter – I used unsalted butter which is the base of this sauce. Butter adds richness and helps keep the salmon moist as it bakes. You could also use olive oil.
- garlic – you can use fresh chopped cloves garlic or minced garlic from the jar.
- lemon – this brightens the dish and balances the richness of the butter. Just make sure to use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor.
- Dijon mustard – adds even more flavor and zip that enhances the butter sauce.
- fresh parsley – fresh herbs add a pop of color and a fresh taste to the salmon dish.
- salt + pepper – needed to season the salmon and add flavor.
How to Make Garlic Butter Baked Salmon
- Prepare the salmon. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and let the salmon come to room temperature. Pat dry with paper towels and arrange salmon skin-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Generously season salmon with salt and pepper.
- Coat the salmon. In a small bowl, melt butter and stir in minced garlic, lemon juice and Dijon mustard until all combined. Spoon or brush the mixture over top of each salmon filet so that each piece is completely covered. Top each filet with half a slice of lemon.
- Bake salmon. Bake for 12-15 minutes until salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Feel free to pop the broiler on right at the end if you want a golden brown top. The internal temperature 125-130 degrees F for medium and 140 degrees F for fully cooked salmon. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!
How to Make in the Air Fryer
You can easily make this garlic butter baked salmon in the air fryer by setting it to 400 degrees for 7 to 10 minutes, until salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Garnish with fresh parsley, extra lemon and enjoy!
Tips for Making the Best Baked Salmon
- Pat the salmon dry – drying the surface of the salmon helps the seasoning stick and prevents excess moisture from diluting the sauce.
- Use even-sized filets – similar thickness ensures that the salmon cooks evenly. If one piece is thinner, just make sure to check it early.
- Bake at high heat – cooking the salmon at 400 degrees F is ideal as it cooks the salmon quickly without drying it out.
- Don’t overcook – this tends to be the biggest mistake people make. Salmon continues to cook slightly after it comes out of the oven so remove it when it is just barely opaque in the center for the most tender texture.
- Let the salmon rest – allowing the moist salmon to rest briefly keeps it juicy and flavorful.
Prepping and Storage
Leftover garlic butter salmon fillets can be stored in a sealed, airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. To reheat, you can either warm in the oven at 300 degrees F for 8 to 10 minutes or reheat in the microwave until warmed through. This leftover salmon would also taste great cold over a salad!
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use almost any variety of salmon, including Atlantic, sockeye, coho, or king salmon. Fresh salmon offers the best flavor and texture, but thawed frozen salmon works just as well if it’s fully defrosted and patted dry before baking.
Yes! Be sure to thaw the salmon completely in the refrigerator overnight before baking. Pat the fillets dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture so the garlic butter sauce sticks better.
Salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork and is opaque throughout. For the most accurate results, use an instant-read thermometer. The USDA recommends cooking salmon to 145°F, but many people prefer removing it from the oven around 125–130°F and letting it rest for a few minutes for a more tender, moist texture.
Absolutely! Replace the butter with your favorite dairy-free butter or use olive oil for a lighter version. The garlic, lemon, and Dijon mustard still create plenty of delicious flavor.
Yes! Baking the salmon with the skin on helps keep it moist and prevents the fillets from sticking to the pan. The skin is easy to remove after baking if you don’t want to eat it.
Definitely! Asparagus, broccoli, green beans, Brussels sprouts, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes all roast beautifully alongside the salmon. If using heartier vegetables, give them a 5–10 minute head start before adding the salmon.
This recipe is best enjoyed fresh, but you can prepare the garlic butter mixture up to 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to cook, simply brush it over the salmon and bake.
To keep the salmon moist, reheat it gently in a 300°F oven for 10–15 minutes or until warmed through. You can also microwave it in short 30-second intervals at reduced power to avoid drying it out.
Yes! Let the salmon cool completely, then wrap each fillet tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Absolutely! Simply use a larger baking sheet and arrange the salmon in a single layer with a little space between each fillet so they cook evenly. If doubling the recipe, the baking time will usually stay about the same unless you’re using significantly thicker fillets.
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Favorite Salmon Recipes
- Hummus Crusted Salmon
- Sheet Pan Maple Dijon Glazed Salmon
- Chili Lime Salmon with Mango Salsa
- Ginger Basil Salmon in Foil
- Chimichurri Baked Salmon
- Mango Sriracha Salmon Tacos
Hope you all enjoy this Garlic Butter Salmon recipe! If you love this simple recipe as much as we do, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating below and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram using the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny!
Garlic Butter Baked Salmon
Ingredients
- 4 (6 oz) salmon filets
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice, plus extra lemon slices for topping
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and let the salmon come to room temperature.
- Pat the salmon dry with paper towels and arrange salmon filets skin side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil sprayed with nonstick spray. Generously season with salt and pepper.
- In a small bowl, melt butter and stir in minced garlic, lemon juice and Dijon mustard until all combined. Spoon or brush the mixture over top of each salmon filet so that each piece is completely covered. Top each filet with a slice of lemon.
- Bake salmon for 12 to 15 minutes until salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Thank you for doing the heavy lifting on this simple but wonderful salmon dish.
I followed the recipe to the letter and it was so delicious. It’s so, so, easy to overdo salmon, but not this. The timing was perfect. I had visitors over for diner and it was a rave review from them too!
Happy foodie days to you and thanks for sharing.
ps…. I can’t wait to try your other recipes
This is my new favorite recipe for salmon! Super easy and soooo flavorful!!