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Oven-baked lemon garlic salmon fillets on a parchment-lined sheet pan with roasted lemon wheels, dill, and flaky interior

Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon Recipe

Amanda S
Tender oven-baked lemon garlic salmon roasted on a parchment-lined sheet pan at 400°F (204°C) with an emulsified lemon-zest garlic butter glaze, fresh dill, and parsley in 20 minutes.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 415 kcal

Equipment

  • Rimmed aluminum half-sheet pan (18x13-inch)
  • Unbleached parchment paper
  • Small glass mixing bowl and balloon whisk
  • Microplane zester and citrus juicer
  • Silicone basting brush or spoon
  • Instant-read digital thermometer

Ingredients
  

  • 4 center-cut salmon fillets about 6 oz / 170 g each, skin-on or skinless, patted dry
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter 28 g, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 15 ml
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice 30 ml, freshly squeezed from 1 medium lemon
  • 1 tsp finely grated lemon zest 2 g, yellow zest only, plus 4 thin lemon slices for topping
  • 4 garlic cloves 12 g, finely minced or grated
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard 5 g, emulsifies the lemon-butter glaze
  • 3/4 tsp kosher salt 2.3 g
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper 0.5 g
  • 2 tbsp fresh dill and flat-leaf parsley 8 g, finely chopped, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Position an oven rack in the center (about 6 inches below the top broiler element) and preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Line a rimmed aluminum half-sheet pan with unbleached parchment paper. Pat the 4 salmon fillets (6 oz / 170 g each) thoroughly dry with paper towels, arrange them skin-side down with at least 2 inches (5 cm) of space between fillets, and season evenly with the kosher salt (3/4 tsp / 2.3 g) and black pepper (1/4 tsp / 0.5 g).
    Four raw center-cut salmon fillets patted dry and seasoned with salt and pepper on a parchment-lined half-sheet pan
  • In a small glass bowl, whisk together the melted unsalted butter (2 tbsp / 28 g), extra-virgin olive oil (1 tbsp / 15 ml), fresh lemon juice (2 tbsp / 30 ml), finely grated lemon zest (1 tsp / 2 g), minced garlic (4 cloves / 12 g), and Dijon mustard (1 tsp / 5 g) for 20 seconds until the mixture forms a glossy, unified emulsion that will cling to the fish without separating.
    Whisking melted butter, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, grated lemon zest, minced garlic, and Dijon mustard in a glass bowl
  • Spoon or brush the emulsified lemon-garlic butter evenly over the top and sides of each salmon fillet right before baking (do not marinate ahead, or the lemon acid will chalk the surface proteins). Place 1 thin fresh lemon slice on the corner of each fillet.
    Brushing emulsified lemon garlic butter glaze onto raw salmon fillets topped with thin lemon slices on a baking sheet
  • Bake uncovered at 400°F (204°C) for 11 to 12 minutes until the sides are opaque coral-pink, then switch the oven to High Broil for 2 to 3 minutes until the garlic-butter glaze bubbles and the edges lightly caramelize. Verify the thickest center reaches 145°F (63°C) on an instant-read thermometer (or pull at 135°F / 57°C for medium-flaky texture and let carry-over heat finish).
    Digital instant-read thermometer checking oven-baked lemon garlic salmon fillet at 145 degrees Fahrenheit on a sheet pan
  • Remove the sheet pan from the oven and let the salmon rest for 3 minutes so the warm muscle fibers reabsorb their juices. Spoon the melted lemon-garlic pan juices from the parchment over the fillets, scatter with chopped fresh dill and flat-leaf parsley (2 tbsp / 8 g), and serve warm.
    Finished sheet-pan baked lemon garlic salmon fillets spooned with pan juices and garnished with fresh dill and parsley
Oven-baked lemon garlic salmon fillets on a parchment-lined sheet pan with roasted lemon wheels, dill, and flaky interior
Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon Recipe

Notes

Emulsion & Texture Tip: Whisking 1 teaspoon (5 g) of Dijon mustard into the melted butter, olive oil, and lemon juice prevents the citrus juice from separating on the baking sheet, locking the minced garlic and lemon zest onto the surface of the salmon. Apply the glaze immediately before placing the pan in the oven so the lemon acid does not pre-cook the exterior.
Calculated per serving from USDA FoodData Central reference values for the listed quantities; optional extra lemon wedges are not included.

Nutrition

Serving: 1fillet (170 g raw / 145 g cooked with glaze)Calories: 415kcalCarbohydrates: 2.1gProtein: 35.4gFat: 29.2gSaturated Fat: 8.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6.9gMonounsaturated Fat: 11.4gCholesterol: 109mgSodium: 395mgPotassium: 668mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 0.4gVitamin A: 520IUVitamin C: 9.8mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 0.9mg
Keyword lemon garlic salmon recipe, lemon salmon recipe, oven baked lemon garlic salmon, sheet pan lemon herb salmon
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