Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon Recipe

This baked lemon garlic salmon checks all the boxes for a weeknight dinner: quick, flavorful, nutritious, and easy. Make it an all-in-one sheet pan meal by adding asparagus or other vegetables to the baking sheet. Dinner is ready in less than 30 minutes!

After a busy day, quick-to-prep homemade dinners like this baked lemon garlic salmon are always appreciated. You can even roast vegetables at the same time, making this a convenient dish.

While the majority of the recipes I publish are desserts, I also love to share everyday dinner recipes with you. When it comes to dinner, I value recipes that are A) quick and easy, B) nutritious and delicious, and C) use as few ingredients and dishes as possible. This baked salmon checks all these boxes, which is why it’s been on heavy rotation over the past several years.

Why You’ll Love This Sheet Pan Dinner:

• So much flavor from fresh herbs, garlic, butter, and lemon
• Nutrient-rich salmon is a healthy source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids
• Bake the salmon alone or add vegetables to the pan
• Casual enough for the week, fancy enough for guests
• Easy recipe to scale up or down for more or fewer servings

Honey garlic soy glazed salmon is equally easy and satisfying, and if you’re in the mood for chicken, readers have given this 1-pan cilantro lime chicken recipe a 5-star rating!

Grab These Ingredients

• Salmon: The fresher the salmon, the better. You want around 24 ounces total, and purchasing individual fillets makes prep easier. There are many different types of salmon, but try to find salmon fillets that are an even thickness so that they all cook in the same amount of time..
• Butter & Olive Oil: Melted butter is a key flavor in this dish. Instead of using all butter, I like to include olive oil for flavor.
• Garlic: Without question, freshly minced garlic gives the absolute best flavor, but jarred minced garlic is convenient when you’re pressed for time.
• Lemon: Another key flavor. You need 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice, so about 2 lemons. You can also top the salmon with lemon slices before baking.
• Fresh Herbs: Parsley and dill are my herbs of choice for this salmon, but you can use whatever herbs you happen to love. Cilantro is fantastic here.
• Salt & Pepper: Of course!

Can I Use Frozen Salmon?

Yes, you can use frozen uncooked salmon. Thaw completely and then follow the recipe as written. You can use frozen/thawed salmon when making this 5-ingredient honey chipotle salmon recipe too.

Start by melting the butter with the oil in a small saucepan. Stir in the garlic and let that cook for just a minute, until it’s nice and fragrant. Add the lemon juice, chopped herbs, and salt & pepper. This is your extremely quick & easy sauce:

Spoon this deliciousness over the salmon fillets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Roasting vegetables on the same pan? Spread them out around the salmon, and give them a drizzle of the garlicky goodness, too!

The amount of time it takes to bake will depend on the thickness of your salmon, but about 15 to 20 minutes is a good estimate. The salmon should be opaque in the middle and flake easily with a fork. If you have an instant-read thermometer, you’re looking for an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).

Here is a helpful internal temperature chart from the FDA to keep handy in the kitchen.

What to Serve With Lemon Garlic Salmon

My favorite sides to accompany this baked lemon garlic salmon are asparagus and mashed potatoes. Instead of asparagus, try roasting Brussels sprouts, broccoli, zucchini, green beans, or baby potatoes on the pan with the salmon.