Name: Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon
Ingredients: Salmon Fillets: (4 fillets, about 6 ounces each) – Choose skin-on or skin-off fillets depending on your preference. Skin-on will crisp up beautifully in the oven, adding a delightful textural contrast, while skin-off is equally delicious and slightly leaner. Look for fresh, vibrant salmon with a firm texture and no fishy smell. Sockeye, Coho, or King salmon all work wonderfully.; Lemons: (2 medium, 1 sliced, 1 juiced) – Freshly squeezed lemon juice is absolutely key for that bright, citrusy flavor. One lemon will be sliced for placing atop the salmon during baking, infusing it with aroma and moisture, while the other will be juiced to create the flavorful marinade. Opt for lemons that are heavy for their size, indicating they are juicy.; Garlic: (4 cloves, minced) – Fresh garlic cloves are essential for that pungent, savory kick. Minced garlic releases its aromatic oils, infusing the salmon with its characteristic flavor. Avoid pre-minced garlic if possible, as freshly minced garlic has a much brighter and more robust taste.; Olive Oil: (3 tablespoons, extra virgin) – Extra virgin olive oil adds richness and helps to distribute the flavors evenly. It also prevents the salmon from drying out during baking. Choose a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor and health benefits.; Fresh Parsley: (2 tablespoons, chopped) – Fresh parsley adds a bright, herbaceous note and a pop of color to the dish. Flat-leaf parsley (Italian parsley) is preferred for its stronger flavor, but curly parsley will also work.; Dried Dill: (1 teaspoon) – Dried dill complements the lemon and salmon beautifully, adding a subtle anise-like flavor. While fresh dill is also fantastic, dried dill is a convenient pantry staple and provides a concentrated flavor.; Salt and Black Pepper: (to taste) – Seasoning is crucial to enhance the natural flavors of the salmon and other ingredients. Use kosher salt or sea salt for a clean, pure flavor, and freshly ground black pepper for a more aromatic and robust taste.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to create this culinary masterpiece. We focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients to really let the flavors shine:

Salmon Fillets: (4 fillets, about 6 ounces each) – Choose skin-on or skin-off fillets depending on your preference. Skin-on will crisp up beautifully in the oven, adding a delightful textural contrast, while skin-off is equally delicious and slightly leaner. Look for fresh, vibrant salmon with a firm texture and no fishy smell. Sockeye, Coho, or King salmon all work wonderfully.
Lemons: (2 medium, 1 sliced, 1 juiced) – Freshly squeezed lemon juice is absolutely key for that bright, citrusy flavor. One lemon will be sliced for placing atop the salmon during baking, infusing it with aroma and moisture, while the other will be juiced to create the flavorful marinade. Opt for lemons that are heavy for their size, indicating they are juicy.
Garlic: (4 cloves, minced) – Fresh garlic cloves are essential for that pungent, savory kick. Minced garlic releases its aromatic oils, infusing the salmon with its characteristic flavor. Avoid pre-minced garlic if possible, as freshly minced garlic has a much brighter and more robust taste.
Olive Oil: (3 tablespoons, extra virgin) – Extra virgin olive oil adds richness and helps to distribute the flavors evenly. It also prevents the salmon from drying out during baking. Choose a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor and health benefits.
Fresh Parsley: (2 tablespoons, chopped) – Fresh parsley adds a bright, herbaceous note and a pop of color to the dish. Flat-leaf parsley (Italian parsley) is preferred for its stronger flavor, but curly parsley will also work.
Dried Dill: (1 teaspoon) – Dried dill complements the lemon and salmon beautifully, adding a subtle anise-like flavor. While fresh dill is also fantastic, dried dill is a convenient pantry staple and provides a concentrated flavor.
Salt and Black Pepper: (to taste) – Seasoning is crucial to enhance the natural flavors of the salmon and other ingredients. Use kosher salt or sea salt for a clean, pure flavor, and freshly ground black pepper for a more aromatic and robust taste.

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Instructions

This recipe is wonderfully straightforward, making it perfect for even the busiest of cooks. Follow these easy steps to achieve perfectly baked, flavorful salmon every time:

Preheat Your Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This temperature is ideal for baking salmon, ensuring it cooks through without drying out. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Parchment paper is great for easy cleanup and prevents sticking, while foil also works well. This step ensures your salmon won’t stick and makes cleaning up a breeze.
Prepare the Salmon Fillets: Gently pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. This step is important as it helps the seasonings adhere better and promotes browning. Place the salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between them for even cooking.
Make the Lemon Garlic Marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together the freshly squeezed lemon juice, minced garlic, olive oil, dried dill, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until all ingredients are well combined and emulsified. This simple marinade is the key to infusing the salmon with incredible flavor.
Pour Marinade Over Salmon: Evenly pour the lemon garlic marinade over the salmon fillets, ensuring each fillet is generously coated. Use your fingers or a spoon to gently rub the marinade into the salmon, making sure it penetrates the surface.
Garnish with Lemon Slices and Parsley: Arrange lemon slices on top of each salmon fillet. This adds extra lemon flavor as the salmon bakes and keeps the fish moist. Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the salmon and around the baking sheet. The parsley adds a fresh, herbaceous aroma and visual appeal.
Bake the Salmon: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. The exact baking time will depend on the thickness of your salmon fillets. Start checking for doneness around 12 minutes and adjust the time as needed. Avoid overcooking, as salmon becomes dry and less flavorful when overcooked.
Check for Doneness: To check if the salmon is cooked, gently flake it with a fork in the thickest part. If it flakes easily and is opaque throughout, it’s ready. The internal temperature of cooked salmon should reach 145°F (63°C). You can use a meat thermometer to ensure perfect doneness, but flakiness is usually a good indicator.
Optional Broiling for Crispy Edges: For extra crispy edges, you can broil the salmon for the last 1-2 minutes of cooking. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning. Broiling will add a lovely caramelized touch to the top of the salmon and create a slightly crispier texture.
Rest and Serve: Once cooked, remove the salmon from the oven and let it rest for a minute or two before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavorful salmon. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon!

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 400
Protein: 45 grams