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.
4center-cut salmon filletsabout 6 oz / 170 g each, skin-on or skinless, patted dry
2tbspunsalted butter28 g, melted and slightly cooled
1tbspextra-virgin olive oil15 ml
2tbspfresh lemon juice30 ml, freshly squeezed from 1 medium lemon
1tspfinely grated lemon zest2 g, yellow zest only, plus 4 thin lemon slices for topping
4garlic cloves12 g, finely minced or grated
1tspDijon mustard5 g, emulsifies the lemon-butter glaze
3/4tspkosher salt2.3 g
1/4tspfreshly ground black pepper0.5 g
2tbspfresh dill and flat-leaf parsley8 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).
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.
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.
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).
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.
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
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