Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon

This Oven Baked Salmon dripping with garlic butter and topped with crispy Parmesan panko has readers raving: โ€œTHE BEST SALMON I have ever tasted! It was seriously an out-of-body experience!โ€ย  โ€œIncredible recipe! So quick to make, I canโ€™t even believe it!โ€ and โ€œWhat an outstanding recipe!โ€ As a salmon lover, Iโ€™ve perfected this recipe to be foolproof and flavorful with step-by-step instructions and expert tips.ย  Follow along for this restaurant-quality sheet pan winner!

top view of baked salmon in foil with lemon garnish


 

Oven Baked Salmon

Why do readers repeatedly call this “the best salmon they’ve ever tasted!”? I experimented again and again until I created this recipe worthy of the title the BEST, a recipe even non-fish lovers will CRAVE. Hereโ€™s why you’ll love it:

  • Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce: A luxurious blend of butter, lemon juice, garlic, Dijon mustard, parsley, and spices infuse the salmon with bold, tangy, and savory flavors.
  • Crispy Panko Topping: A golden, crunchy layer of panko breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan and butter adds a drool worthy contrast to the tender salmon.
  • Unbelievably Juicy and Tender: Baked in foil to lock in moisture, topped with the butter sauce to add penetrating juiciness, then topped with panko for more insulation, ensuring the salmon stays succulent and never dries out.
  • Meal-in-One: The broccoli absorbs the buttery sauce as it bakes, making this a complete meal with minimal effort.
  • Quick and Easy: I literally had this on the table in less than 30 minutes as my parents were running out the door and I promised I would make something “quick.”ย 
  • Effortless Crowd Pleaser: It’s simple enough for weeknights but impressive enough for entertaining.
  • Bonus: My Parents LOVE IT! My parents were oohing and aahing over the salmon: the juiciness, the subtle lemon, the subtle Parmesan, the aromatic herbs, the buttery Pankoโ€”all married together to create the perfect bite.

far away top view of oven baked salmon with broccoli
ingredient icon

What you need to make Salmon in the Oven

Let’s take a closer look at what you need to make this recipe (measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

  • Salmon: One whole wild Alaskan salmon fillet (3-4 pounds), with or without skin, for the freshest, richest flavor.
  • Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce: A blend of melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, honey, reduced-sodium soy sauce, and Dijon mustard for a tangy, savory, and slightly sweet sauce.
  • Seasonings: Salt, onion powder, dried dill, paprika, pepper, and fresh or dried parsley to enhance the depth of flavor.
  • Panko Parmesan Topping: A crispy mix of panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and freshly grated Parmesan for a golden, crunchy contrast.
  • Broccoli: Roasts alongside the salmon, soaking up the flavorful sauce for a built-in, perfectly seasoned side.

What Salmon is Best?

Salmonย is my favorite fish to bake because itโ€™s mild, un-fishy, rich and buttery tender. What should you look for when selecting salmon? Here are a few tips and tricks:

  • Use wild caught salmon if possible.  Look for salmon that is bright pink in color, smells fresh but not fishy, and, if possible, is wild caught.  I prefer wild caught salmon (king, coho and sockeye) because it has richer flavor, but if you want milder flavor, than farm-raised Atlantic salmon might be the way to go.  
  • Atlantic salmon can cook up watery or mushy due to the artificial diet but I have had success with farm raised salmon from Costco (fresh and frozen), they seem to have higher quality suppliers.
  • What size salmon is best?ย You can use either six or seven 6-8 oz. salmon fillets OR one 3-poundย salmon fillet.
  • Where to purchase salmon?  Purchase salmon at the seafood counter of your local market or grocery store to ensure the freshest salmon.  Costco also has a good selection of fresh and frozen salmon.
  • Do I use skin on or off salmon?  Your large salmon fillet will likely come with the skin on. You should cook salmon with the skin on and then it will easily peel off after cooking. 
  • Cooking salmon with the skin on traps in moisture and prevents juices from running out the bottom of the salmon, keeping it extra juicy. If you purchase skinless salmon fillets, they will still be delicious. 
front view of oven baked salmon garnished with parsley

How to make Oven Baked Salmon

Let’s take a closer look at how to make this recipe with step-by-step photos (full recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

  1. Bring salmon to room temperature.  Salmon should never be baked directly from the refrigerator or it won’t cook evenly.  Instead, let your salmon fillet rest on the counter for 15-30 minutes.
  2. Remove bones.  While your salmon fillet is sitting at room temperature, is a great time to remove any leftover skinny โ€œpin bonesโ€ the butcher may have missed.  You should not use a knife or fingers, but rather, use sanitized needle-nosed pliers or tweezers.  To find the bones, run your clean fingers down the surface of the salmon then remove them with your sanitized instrument of choice.
  3. Create a foil pouch.ย  Line a large jelly roll pan with foil that extends 2โ€ past the pan on each long side so you can fold the sides up and create a wall.ย  This will keep the lemon butter from leaking out.ย  Lightly spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray and place the salmon in the center of the foil and fold up all the sides snugly around the salmon.
healthy baked salmon recipe in foil with lemons on the side
  1. Season salmon.ย  The flavor and seasonings in this oven baked salmon recipe comes from the luscious lemon garlic butter sauce.ย  To make, add 2 tablespoons butter and 4-6 minced garlic cloves to a medium bowl and microwave until butter is melted then whisk in the remaining ingredients.
showing how to make oven baked salmon by seasoning the top with butter, herbs and garlic
  1. Add panko.ย  Finally, the crowning Parmesan Panko Topping that elevates this oven baked salmon to my new favorite salmon.ย  I have made salmon in foil before and although moist, I missed the juxtaposed texture of the caramelized pan sear.ย  This topping solves my texture woes by adding a buttery crispy crunch along with the complex nutty flavor of Parmesan.
  2. Bake.  This oven Bakes Salmon should be baked uncovered at 400 degrees F for 12-15 minutes (depending salmon thickness), or until salmon flakes easily with a fork.
up close of broccoli showing what to serve with oven baked salmon

How to serve with Lemon Garlic Salmon

If you don’t love broccoli, this oven Baked Salmon can be baked with any other vegetable that cooks in 12-15 minutes.ย  You can use thick asparagus (or give the salmon a head start then add for thinner asparagus), cherry tomatoes, zucchini or bell peppers.

In addition to veggies, I like to serve this oven baked salmon with any of the following:

FAQs

Do I have to rinse my salmon first?

No, you should NOT rinse your fish before baking!ย  The USDA cautions: โ€œdo not rinse raw fish, seafood, meat, and poultry. Bacteria in these raw juices can splash and spread to other foods and surfaces. Cooking foods thoroughly will kill harmful bacteria.โ€

Is salmon skin safe to eat?ย 

Absolutely! In fact, the skinย contains more of the same minerals and nutrients contained inย salmon, so it is highly nutritious. I usually remove the skin or purchase salmon without the skin if I am going to be baking the salmon.ย  If I’m gong to be pan searing the salmon, then I leave the skin on so it can get nice and crispy in the pan.ย  You can also cook your salmon with the skin and then just remove it before eating.

How to I prevent salmon skin from sticking to the foil?ย 

Always spray your foil with nonstick cooking spray and make sure the skin is patted completely dry before it comes in contact with the foil.

How much salmon should I buy?

Although a whole fillet looks like a lot of protein, it goes down surprisingly easy!ย  There are quite a few variables to when it comes to serving size such as what you are serving with your salmon and how big of eaters your audience is, but the general rule of thumb is about ½ pound per person.

Can I eat salmon everyday?

Like everything, salmon is great in moderation.ย  The American Heart Association recommends eating at least two 3.5-ounce servings of fatty fish like salmon every week.ย  It should not being eaten every day, however, due to concerns about the trace amounts of mercury in seafood.

What are the health benefits of salmon?

Salmon is is a low-calorie protein source that is rich in heart-healthy omega-3s, and low in saturated fat. It is also an excellent source of several B vitamins, antioxidants and potassium.ย  Studies show that salmon can help lower inflammation, which may reduce the risk factors for several diseases.ย  A growing number of studies also suggest that including salmon in your diet might improve brain function and even reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression and the risk of age-related memory problems.

Does salmon improve skin?

The omega-3 fatty acids in salmon are linked to reducing inflammation which may help skin retain moisture.ย  Salmon is also a good source of vitamin E and zinc which are good for the skin.

Can you eat salmon while pregnant?

BAKED Salmon is safe to eat during pregnancy but pregnant women should not eat raw salmon, including sushi.ย  They should also take care when handling raw salmon because raw fish could contain parasites or harmful bacteria.

up close of the best oven baked salmon recipe

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ยฉCarlsbad Cravings by CarlsbadCravings.com

25 MINUTE Baked Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon with Crispy Parmesan Panko & Broccoli!ย  This salmon is not only bursting with flavor and sooo tender but the easiest, most satisfying meal that tastes totally gourmet!ย  My parents were blown away by this meal!

Garlic Lemon Salmon

This Oven Baked Salmon dripping with garlic butter and topped with crispy Parmesan panko has readers raving: โ€œTHE BEST SALMON I have ever tasted! It was seriously an out-of-body experience!โ€ย  โ€œIncredible recipe! So quick to make, I canโ€™t even believe it!โ€ and โ€œWhat an outstanding recipe!โ€ As a salmon lover, Iโ€™ve perfected this recipe to be foolproof and flavorful with step-by-step instructions and expert tips.ย 
Servings: 6 -8 servings
Total Time: 30 minutes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes

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Ingredients

Salmon

  • 1 wild Alaskan salmon fillet with or without skin (3-4 pounds)*

Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

Panko Parmesan Topping

  • 2/3 cup panko
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan

Broccoli

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Line a jelly roll pan with foil that extends 2โ€ past the pan edge on each long side (so you can fold the sides up). Lightly spray foil with nonstick cooking spray. Place salmon in the center of the foil (skin side down if it has skin) and fold up all the sides snugly around the salmon. Push foiled salmon to one side of the pan.
  • Add 2 tablespoons butter and the 4-6 minced garlic cloves to a medium bowl and microwave until butter is melted. Whisk in all remaining Lemon Butter Sauce ingredients and pour evenly all over salmon.
  • Whisk together the Parmesan Panko Topping until butter is evenly absorbed. Pat Topping evenly all over salmon.
  • Add broccoli to open space in pan next to salmon and toss with olive oil, salt and pepper. Spread broccoli out in a single layer next to the salmon.
  • Bake uncovered at 400 degrees F for 12-15 minutes (depending salmon thickness), or until salmon flakes easily with a fork. Broil approximately one minute or until panko is golden.
  • Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and additional salt and pepper as needed.

Notes

*I purchase mine at Costco without skin for a reasonable price.

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22 Comments

    • Jen says

      Thank you! The panko really does make a huge difference! Its going to be hard for me to make salmon again without it!

  1. Susan says

    That recipe looks amazing! I just made your sheet pan lime cilantro salmon for the fourth time and it was amazing as always, but I was ready to try another salmon recipe. When I saw this, I was totally excited and can’t wait to try it. Thanks!

    • Jen says

      Thank you so much Susan, I am excited for you to try it! I love hearing you have made my Fajita Salmon so many times! I hope you love this one just as much!

  2. Diana Lopes says

    Incredible recipe! And so quick to make, I can’t even believe it! I love it already =)

    • Jen says

      Thank you so much Diana! It really is amazing! I hope you can make it soon!

  3. Layne Schwabedissen says

    Heidi ate the salmon AND the broccoli- this feels like an alternate universe! Super delicious!

    • Jen says

      Whoa! Always amazing when kids will eat dinner with foods they don’t usually like! YAY!!! Thanks Layne!

  4. Patricia says

    Do you think this would work with halibut fillets?

  5. Krista says

    Oh my heavens, I AM the type to crave salmon and have eaten tons of it over the years, but this was hands down THE BEST SALMON I have ever tasted! It was seriously an out-of-body experience, and my kids (even the picky ones!) licked their plates clean. Amazing!! THANK YOU!!!

    • Jen says

      Wow Krista, I am so excited this is the “best salmon” you’ve ever had! thank you so much for taking the time to comment and make my day!

  6. dawn crossno says

    Just getting into cooking salmon. This is by far the best salmon recipe I’ve ever tried! Have made it 4 or 5 times now, and we still love it. When i’m looking for a new recipe your site is the first, and usually the only, site i go to. Have several of your recipes that are favorites in our house. Thanks for being my go to girl!

    • Jen says

      I cannot tell you how much I love your comment, thank you Dawn! This is one of my all time favorite recipes that seems to be “forgotten” by readers so the fact you love it so much means that much more! I am honored my site is your go-to for new recipes! Thank you for making my recipes and letting me part of your home in some small way :).

  7. Rita Sullivan says

    Loved this recipe. We eat Salmon at least once or twice a week and I like to try different ways of doing Salmon. This was the best recipe I’ve found so far. The sauce compliments the Salmon really well. I am all about sauces. I did not do the panko topping because my husband doesn’t like a crust on his Salmon. Also I should have checked it at 10 minutes because we like medium rare and it was well done at 13 minutes. My fault, not the recipe.

    • Jen says

      Hi Rita, I am honored this is the best salmon recipe you’ve tried, thank you so much!

  8. Emily says

    Hi! Is there anyway of making this recipe and baking it at 350? Also, could I add small fingerling potatoes? If so, how would you do that – timing, etc? I have individual salmon fillets, which I would probably only use 2 for this recipe and not a whole filet. Thanks so much. Always love your stuff โค๏ธ

    • Jen says

      Absolutely, you will just need to increase the baking time, possible to 20-25 minutes. Depending on the size of the potatoes, they will take 30-50 minutes, so I would give them a 10 minute headstart in the oven before adding the salmon. If the potatoes aren’t done at the same time as the salmon, then remove the salmon and continue with the potatoes. Hope this helps!

  9. Susan says

    Had some leftover and used chunks of cold, cooked salmon on top of a caesar salad. Oh my goodness!

  10. Margaret F says

    What an outstanding recipe! The panko adds a wonderful contrast to the buttery soft salmon and the timing of the dish was perfect. I added some slim carrots, split in half and cut in bite sized pieces, along with the broccoli. We eat salmon a couple of times a week, so I’m always looking for new recipes. Not to mention, sheet pan dinners are a saving grace. This one is definitely a keeper, thanks!

    • Jen says

      Thank you! Sheet pan dinners are seriously the best! I’m glad this one will be a repeat for you!