Name: Garlic Butter Baked Salmon
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 13 min
Ingredients: 1.5 lb salmon filet; 4 tbsp unsalted butter (softened ); 4 Garlic cloves (minced); 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp pepper; 1 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped); 1 lemon (zested, then cut into wedges)

This Easy Garlic Butter Baked Salmon is perfectly cooked and full of flavor! This is the one of the BEST salmon recipes I have ever made!

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If you love salmon, you are going to LOVE this Easy Garlic Butter Baked Salmon recipe. I love making salmon for a quick and healthy weeknight dinner. Salmon is packed with nutrients and also cooks very quickly – not to mention, delicious. I prefer to bake my salmon in the oven because it’s so much easier – instead of standing over a hot stove to sear the salmon, it roasts in the oven for 12-15 minutes. And if you line the baking sheet with foil, it is the easiest cleanup ever. Salmon is the champion of easy weeknight dinners.

Garlic, lemon and butter are classic flavors with salmon for a reason. For this recipe I made a compound butter by adding garlic, lemon zest, salt and herbs to softened butter. I used softened butter instead of melted butter to allow the flavors to bloom while the butter melted into the salmon in the oven, instead of just immediately running off as they would with melted butter.

How to Bake Salmon In the Oven

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup.
Arrage salmon on the baking sheet and pat dry with a paper towel.
Mix together butter, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper and lemon zest.
Spread the butter mixture evenly over the salmon..
Bake for 12-15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 145 or the salmon flakes easily with a fork. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over salmon just before serving.

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN SALMON IS COOKED?

The best way to tell if salmon is cooked is to use a instant read thermometer, such as this one (affiliate). The USDA recommends cooking salmon to an internal temperature of 145 degrees. Another easy way to check if the salmon is done is to see if it flakes easily with a fork. It will also change color from translucent to opaque.

What Side Dishes go with Baked Salmon?

I often serve my Garlic Butter Baked Salmon with rice and a simple salad. It’s also great with my Lemon Parmesan Roasted Broccoli and some Crispy Roasted Potatoes!

Looking for more salmon recipes? Try my Sweet Chili Garlic Salmon or my Chili Lime Baked Salmon. For something different, try my Salmon Sushi Bowls or my Easy Salmon Patties!