This Easy Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe is part of my dinner essentials series, and I know it will quickly become a favorite in your weekly meal rotation! The salmon is baked to perfection with a rich and flavorful lemon butter sauce and paired with an easy roasted asparagus for a well-balanced meal.
There are many different ways to serve salmon, but this lemon garlic butter salmon recipe is my favorite way to cook salmon because it’s simple and full of flavor. Wild salmon fillets are packed with fatty acids making this lemon butter garlic salmon incredibly healthy.
Busy weeknights can be hectic, and I always turn to sheet pan dinners that can be thrown into the oven with minimal effort and simple ingredients. This baked garlic butter salmon and easy roasted asparagus come together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect if you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner.
Jump to:
Ingredients
- Wild salmon fillets: I prefer wild salmon fillets as they are flavorful and are lower in toxins, contaminants and antibiotics.
- Flaky sea salt: To bring out the flavors in your salmon and liven up your dish.
- Black pepper: I like to use a black pepper grinder for my savory dishes, it tastes so fresh!
- Olive oil: I primarily use olive oil when cooking, I also love using other healthy fats like coconut oil, avocado oil, beef tallow or ghee.
- Unsalted butter: Softened to room temperature.
- Fresh parsley: You could also use dried parsley, but I prefer the flavor of fresh herbs, it really brightens up the salmon!
- Garlic cloves: For the perfectly pungent and garlic layer of flavor!
- Lemon: The lemon adds the perfect amount of acid and brightness to balance the salt and butter. Here I am using lemon slices for the salmon and fresh lemon juice for the asparagus.
- Asparagus: I am serving my salmon with asparagus as it’s flavorful and low carb, you could also roast other vegetables such as broccoli, zucchini or carrots.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions for Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon
Step 1: Combine the softened butter, salt, fresh parsley and minced garlic cloves to create your butter mixture for the lemon garlic butter sauce.
Step 2: Trim the ends of the asparagus bunch and season with salt, black pepper, minced garlic cloves and fresh lemon juice.
Step 3: Season the entire side of salmon with salt and black pepper. Add a dollop of the butter mixture on top of each salmon piece and top with the lemon slices.
Step 4: Bake the salmon and asparagus together in the oven. Bake the salmon for 13-15 minutes until it reaches a 145°F internal temperature.
See recipe card for detailed instructions.
Sides with Salmon Dinner
I’m serving this lemon garlic salmon recipe alongside easy roasted asparagus, but there are plenty of other great sides to pair with it! Try my Baked Fennel or Tri-Color Carrots for a delicious twist.
You can also roast zucchini, bell peppers, baby potatoes, broccoli, or green beans to complete your meal. For an easier side, try a simple side salad or fresh arugula with an olive oil drizzle for a well balanced meal.
Top Tip
Pat down the salmon with a paper towel to ensure it is dry before adding your seasoning and olive oil to the baking sheet.
The baking time on the salmon with vary based on the thickness of your salmon. Be sure to check your internal temperature after 13 minutes or so to ensure even cooking. Let the salmon rest for at least 3 minutes before serving for the perfect juicy salmon.
Substitutions
- Garlic Powder - instead of minced garlic cloves, you could use garlic powder instead. I recommend ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder per garlic clove.
- Lemon Zest - If you don't have enough lemons for fresh lemon slices, you can top the salmon with a little bit of lemon zest.
Equipment
Baking Sheets: I like to use stainless steel baking sheets for all of my cooking needs!
Storage
You can store the salmon and vegetables in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. If re-heating, it will taste best re-heated in the oven.
FAQ
When cooking salmon at 425°F and it is cut into small pieces, the cooking time on this salmon is about 13-15 minutes.
If you are cooking the whole salmon fillets increasing the thickness of your salmon, it could take slightly longer at 15-18 minutes. I recommend checking the internal temperature at 13 minutes and to pull the salmon at an internal temperature of 145°F.
Easy Salmon Dinners
- This Honey Ginger Soy Salmon is simple, packed with flavor and the perfect high protein, low-carb dinner. It's a perfect weeknight dinner and will easily be on your weekly rotation!
- If you want an easy and quick weeknight dinner, this Cilantro Salmon recipe is a must try. The vibrant cilantro and lemon flavors take this dish to the next level, it’s sure to be a staple in your home!
Dessert Ideas for Dinner
- This Almond Olive Oil Cake would be a great pairing with this easy baked salmon recipe. It's light, fluffy and can be whipped up in no time!
Related
Looking for other fish recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon:
Easy Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb wild salmon
- 2 ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper about 12 pepper grinds
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoon unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- 1 ½ tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 lemon slices
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 bunch asparagus about 12 oz, with ends trimmed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. In a small bowl, make the garlic butter by adding the softened butter, ½ teaspoon salt, chopped parsley and 2 minced garlic cloves. Combine until the butter mixture is smooth and set aside.
- Trim the ends of the asparagus bunch and add 1 tablespoon of olive to a baking sheet with the asparagus. Season with 1 teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of pepper (about 6 pepper grinds), 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice, set aside.
- Pat down your salmon with a paper towel to ensure it is dry. I am cutting my salmon fillets into small rectangles, making about 8 pieces. You could also leave the salmon as large fillets if you prefer.
- Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to another baking sheet and add the salmon fillets. Season the entire side of salmon with 1 teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of pepper (about 6 pepper grinds). Be sure the salmon is skin side down on the sheet pan.
- Add a dollop of the butter mixture on top of each salmon piece. Slice the lemon slices into small triangles and add on top of the butter mixture. Bake the salmon and asparagus together in the oven. Bake the salmon for 13-15 minutes until it reaches a 145°F internal temperature and take it out to rest for at least 3 minutes before serving for the perfect juicy salmon.
- The asparagus should be done as well, it will be slightly roasted and slightly tender. This lemon butter garlic salmon also pairs great with a slice of toasted sourdough bread.
Leave a Reply