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Garlic Butter Baked Salmon is your go-to recipe for effortless elegance with a punch of bold flavor! Whether it’s a quick weeknight dinner or a touch of restaurant-style flair, this baked salmon delivers—packed with buttery garlic goodness and the rich flavor of tender salmon, baked to perfection. Simple ingredients, extraordinary results every time!
Why This Garlic Butter Baked Salmon Is A Must Try
What sets this Garlic Butter Baked Salmon recipe apart from the rest is its perfect blend of simplicity and elegance. With just a few everyday ingredients—garlic, butter, lemon, and fresh herbs—you’ll create a baked salmon bursting with rich, vibrant flavor that feels both indulgent and effortless. Whether you’re cooking for guests or treating yourself, this recipe delivers every time!
No fancy ingredients needed—you probably have most of them in your kitchen already. And these versatile staples aren’t just for salmon; they’re the same ones that make dishes like Chili Garlic Butter Shrimp shine.
For salmon lovers who enjoy crispy textures, recipes like Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce might be your go-to. But this baked version offers melt-in-your-mouth tenderness with edges kissed by buttery garlic goodness. It’s the kind of simple, restaurant-quality meal you’ll want to make again and again!
Garlic Butter Baked Salmon: Key Ingredients
The secret to this Garlic Butter Baked Salmon lies in its ingredients. Fresh garlic brings bold, aromatic flavor, grass-fed ghee adds a rich, buttery depth, and vibrant asparagus delivers crisp freshness. Simple ingredients, unforgettable results!
- Salmon Fillets: Fresh, tender salmon fillets take center stage in this baked salmon. Choosing wild-caught salmon elevates the flavor and adds a nutritional boost, making it a key ingredient in creating the rich taste of Lemon Butter Garlic Salmon.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves are a must for bold, aromatic flavor. Avoid pre-minced options and finely mince the cloves yourself for even seasoning and irresistible taste.
- Butter: Go for high-quality unsalted butter to maintain full control over seasoning. Its velvety richness not only enhances the sauce but also helps crisp up the edges of the salmon and veggies beautifully.
*Note: Please see Recipe Card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Additions And Substitutions
When it comes to Garlic Butter Baked Salmon, versatility is the star. Short on an ingredient? No problem—smart substitutions keep the buttery, garlicky flavor shining through every time!
- Vegetable Variations: Switch out asparagus for green beans or zucchini to add a new texture and flavor. Roasting ensures they stay crisp and perfectly complement the salmon.
- Citrus Twist: Swap lemon for lime or even blood orange for a burst of fresh, zesty flavor. The citrus will elevate the buttery sauce beautifully.
- Potato Options: Sweet potatoes or baby potatoes can bring a different texture and a hint of sweetness. Roast them alongside the salmon for an easy one-pan meal. If you feel inspired, give these Crispy Garlic Roasted Potatoes a try!
Creating Perfect Garlic And Butter Baked Salmon: Step-By-Step
Let’s get cooking! With just a handful of ingredients and a few easy steps, you’ll have a delicious Garlic Butter Baked Salmon ready to wow your family or guests. Follow along, and let’s make magic happen in your kitchen!
- Preheat And Roast Potatoes: Heat oven to 400°F (200°C). On a large rimmed baking sheet, spread out in an even layer and roast for 15 minutes until they’re just starting to soften and brown.
- Arrange Salmon and Asparagus: Push potatoes to one side of the sheet pan and arrange salmon down the center. Rub salmon evenly with minced garlic and parsley. Add the asparagus to the other side of the pan.
- Add Lemon Butter: Combine lemon juice and melted butter. Pour the mixture over the salmon and asparagus. Season everything with salt and pepper.
- Continue Baking: Return to the oven and continue baking until the potatoes are golden and fork-tender, and the salmon is opaque throughout, about 10 minutes.
*Pro Tip: Broil for the last 2 minutes for charred edges.
- Prepare Sauce: Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the remaining butter, garlic, and lemon juice with the wine (or chicken stock).
- Serve: Serve with the salmon, veggies, and lemon slices!
Now that you’ve nailed the Garlic Butter Baked Salmon, it’s time to add the perfect sides! Try our Parmesan Roasted Carrots for a savory crunch, or opt for Garlic Butter Roasted Brussels Sprouts for a rich, flavorful option. If you’re craving more salmon-inspired magic, don’t miss our One Pan Lemon Garlic Baked Salmon and Asparagus—another easy, flavor-packed delight. Happy cooking and enjoy every bite!
Recipe FAQ’s
I love a chilled glass of white wine with my salmon. For this dish, we enjoyed a glass or two of chilled Moscato—it’s perfect! If sweet wines aren’t your thing, you can’t go wrong with a good Pinot Gris or Sav Blanc. Both will complement the flavors beautifully. Cheers!
Store your cooked salmon in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in foil or plastic wrap. It will last up to 3 days in the refrigerator. For longer storage, freeze it for up to 2 months, however, I would not recommend doing so.
Yes, you can use frozen salmon. Just make sure to thaw it completely in the refrigerator before using it in the recipe.
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Garlic Butter Baked Salmon
Ingredients
- 1 pound fingerling potatoes or Yukon golds or halved white/red baby potatoes, halved
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt divided
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper cracked, divided
- 4 skinless salmon fillets
- 2 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic divided
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
- 1/3 cup lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 3 asparagus bunches, 18 spears, woody ends removed
- 2 tablespoons dry white wine substitute with 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 lemon sliced to garnish
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400°F | 200°C. On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss together potatoes with the oil, 1/2 tablespoon of garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Spread out in an even layer and roast for 15 minutes until they’re just starting to soften and brown.
- Push potatoes to one side of the sheet pan and arrange salmon down the centre. Rub salmon evenly with 1 1/2 tablespoons of the minced garlic and 2 tablespoons of parsley. Add the asparagus to the other side of the pan.
- Combine 1/4 cup of lemon juice and 1/4 cup of the melted butter together and pour the mixture over the salmon and asparagus. Season everything with the remaining salt and pepper.
- Return to oven and continue baking until the potatoes are golden and fork-tender and the salmon is opaque throughout, (about 10 minutes). Optional: broil in the last 2 minutes for charred edges.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the remaining butter, garlic and lemon juice with the wine (or chicken stock). Serve with the salmon, veggies and lemon slices!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Best salmon recipe! Very quick and easy. A fast and healthy meal to make for the family any time of the year.
Made only the salmon and it is spectacular! I can see this entire sheet pan meal becoming a staple. Thank you for the recipe!
Tried this on the BBQ… turned out awesome!!
I wish I had taken a picture. It looked like I slaved in the kitchen or was a seasoned chef. I was so proud, it was a beautiful dish, hubby loved it, & it was delicious! Thank you! I will be looking for more of your recipes.
OMG! Seriously delicious
I paired with asparagus and uncle Ben’s Cilantro rice. Yum
Absolutely love this! I made with a homemade tartar sauce (mayo, sweet relish, garlic powder and onion powder), also topped with lemon juice straight out of the oven!
I’ve NEVER cooked “real” fish before (other than pre-breaded frozen) and this turned out AMAZING!!!
Thank you so very much for making it so easy! Any type of fish or seafood is intimidating to me even though I (as everyone I’ve cooked for tells me) am a good cook. I still find it intimidating as it can be quite finicky.
This recipe is now saved, written down and will be a weekly staple in my home!
You have a new follower because of this! Thank you!!!
Karina, I have been using Pinterest recipes for some time, and most have been excellent. I know I’ve used several of yours in the past too, however, this recipe prompted me to actually post a comment which I’ve never done before. This was one of the easiest recipes to prepare to have such an amazing outcome. I really wasn’t expecting it to be so delicious. Not only was it easy, the cleanup was a breeze. We usually eat salmon twice a week, so I’m always looking for new ways to prepare it. This preparation will be the star of my salmon recipes, and one I’ll use often. I didn’t change a thing and it was perfection. Thank you.
I didn’t have parsley but it didn’t matter. Used green beans instead of asparagus because my family doesn’t care for it. The BEST salmon I have ever had… EVER. Making this all of the time.