GARLIC LEMON SALMON BEST RECIPE

Are you tired of boring weeknight dinners and craving a dish that bursts with flavor and takes minimal effort? Imagine flaky, tender salmon infused with the bright zing of lemon and the savory punch of garlic, all coming together in perfect harmony. This Garlic Lemon Salmon recipe is your answer, promising a restaurant-quality meal that you can easily whip up in your own kitchen – and trust me, you’ll be making it again and again!

The Star Players: Garlic Lemon Salmon Ingredients

What You’ll Need for the Salmon:

• 4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets, skin on or off (your preference!)
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little kick!)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
• Lemon slices, for garnish

Ingredient Substitutions and Tips:

• Salmon: Fresh salmon is always best, but frozen salmon fillets, thawed completely, work well too. Look for salmon that’s bright in color and doesn’t smell overly fishy. Sockeye, Coho, or Atlantic salmon are all great choices.
• Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil adds the best flavor, but you can substitute with avocado oil or another neutral oil if you prefer.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is key! Garlic powder just won’t give you the same robust flavor.
• Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is a must for that bright, zesty flavor. Bottled juice just doesn’t compare.
• Herbs: Fresh oregano is fantastic if you have it, but dried oregano is a good substitute. You could also experiment with other herbs like thyme or dill.
• Spice: The red pepper flakes add a subtle warmth, but feel free to omit them if you’re not a fan of spice.

Let’s Get Cooking: Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepping is Key:

1. Preheat your oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Prepare the salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. This helps them get a nice sear.
3. Make the garlic lemon sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, melted butter, lemon zest, oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season generously with salt and pepper.

Baking to Perfection:

1. Arrange the salmon: Place the salmon fillets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil. Parchment paper makes cleanup a breeze!
2. Drizzle with sauce: Pour the garlic lemon sauce evenly over the salmon fillets, making sure they’re well coated.
3. Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your salmon fillets. A good rule of thumb is about 4-6 minutes per half-inch of thickness.
4. Broil (optional): For a little extra color and crispness, broil the salmon for the last 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.

Serving and Garnishing:

1. Garnish: Sprinkle the baked salmon with fresh parsley and garnish with lemon slices.
2. Serve: Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips and Tricks for the Best Garlic Lemon Salmon

Avoiding Common Mistakes:

• Don’t overcook the salmon: Overcooked salmon is dry and tough. Use a fork to gently flake the salmon to check for doneness. It should be opaque and easily flake apart. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part should read 145°F (63°C).
• Don’t skip the lemon zest: The lemon zest adds a concentrated burst of lemon flavor that really elevates the dish.
• Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet: Give the salmon fillets enough space on the baking sheet so they can cook evenly.

Flavor Boosters:

• Add a touch of sweetness: A drizzle of honey or maple syrup to the garlic lemon sauce can add a lovely touch of sweetness.
• Incorporate fresh herbs: Besides parsley, try adding fresh dill, thyme, or rosemary to the sauce for extra flavor.
• Marinate the salmon: For even more flavor, marinate the salmon in the garlic lemon sauce for 30 minutes before baking.

Oven Alternatives:

• Pan-Seared Salmon: You can also pan-sear the salmon in a skillet with the garlic lemon sauce. Cook skin-side down first for a crispy skin.
• Grilled Salmon: Grilling gives the salmon a smoky flavor. Grill over medium heat, skin-side down, until cooked through.
• Air Fryer Salmon: For a super quick and easy option, air fry the salmon at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes.

Serving Suggestions: Complete Your Meal

Perfect Pairings:

• Vegetables: Roasted asparagus, steamed broccoli, or a simple green salad are all excellent choices.
• Grains: Quinoa, rice, or couscous make a great base for the salmon.
• Potatoes: Roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes, or even sweet potato fries are delicious accompaniments.

Side Dish Ideas:

• Lemon Herb Roasted Asparagus: Toss asparagus with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs, then roast until tender-crisp.
• Garlic Parmesan Rice: Cook rice according to package directions, then stir in grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, and butter.
• Quinoa Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette: Combine cooked quinoa with chopped vegetables like cucumbers, tomatoes, and bell peppers, then toss with a lemon vinaigrette.

Other Delicious Seafood Recipes to Try

If you loved this Garlic Lemon Salmon recipe, you’re in for a treat! There’s a whole world of delicious seafood dishes waiting to be discovered. For another quick and easy weeknight meal, try Honey Garlic Shrimp – it’s sweet, savory, and ready in minutes. If you’re in the mood for something comforting and classic, you can’t go wrong with Southern Salmon Patties, crispy and flavorful. Want an elegant appetizer? Try the Garlic Butter Baked Scallops. Or for a truly special occasion, impress your guests with Baked Lobster Tails With Garlic Butter. For a land based alternative, try the Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken & Linguine. Also, the Lemon Pepper Chicken is a must-try.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Storing Leftovers:

• Refrigerate: Store leftover Garlic Lemon Salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating Methods:

• Oven: Reheat the salmon in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes, or until heated through.
• Microwave: Reheat the salmon in the microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. Be careful not to overcook it.
• Skillet: Gently reheat the salmon in a skillet over low heat with a little bit of olive oil or butter.

Garlic Lemon Salmon: The Perfect Weeknight Winner!

There you have it – a foolproof recipe for Garlic Lemon Salmon that’s guaranteed to impress. It’s quick, easy, healthy, and bursting with flavor. So go ahead, give it a try! I promise you’ll be amazed at how simple it is to create a restaurant-quality meal in your own kitchen. And who knows, maybe this will become your new go-to weeknight dinner!

Garlic Lemon Salmon

Amelia Chen-Morrison

This Garlic Lemon Salmon recipe delivers flaky, tender salmon infused with bright lemon and savory garlic flavors. It’s a restaurant-quality meal that’s quick and easy to prepare at home, perfect for a healthy and delicious weeknight dinner.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 400 kcal

Equipment

• Baking Sheet
• Parchment paper or aluminum foil
• Small bowl
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Fork
• Paper towels

Ingredients

  

• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
• Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
• Lemon slices, for garnish

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, melted butter, lemon zest, oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season generously with salt and pepper.
• Place the salmon fillets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil.
• Pour the garlic lemon sauce evenly over the salmon fillets.
• Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
• Broil for the last 1-2 minutes for extra color (optional).
• Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices.
• Serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, use fresh salmon and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Don’t overcook the salmon; it should be opaque and flake easily. To store leftovers, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven, microwave, or skillet. For a sweeter flavor, add a drizzle of honey or maple syrup to the sauce. Marinating the salmon in the sauce for 30 minutes before baking can enhance the flavor.