You’ll love how simple and delicious this Baked Salmon Recipe is! I use fresh lemon juice, melted butter, and fresh garlic, along with a blend of spices to bring out the rich, delicate flavors of the salmon. The fish is then wrapped in foil and baked to perfection, ensuring it stays moist and tender. Ready in less than 30 minutes, this no-fuss, no-mess recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight. Plus, the foil makes cleanup a breeze! It’s a family-favorite that’s sure to become a regular at your dinner table.
I’ve been making this recipe for years, and every time I do, my family always asks for more. They’ve actually started calling me the Queen of Salmon Recipes and for good reason! I’m constantly testing and retesting new salmon dishes for both my family and my readers.
Here at Primavera Kitchen, you’ll find over 25 salmon recipes to suit every taste. From a simple Pan Seared Salmon, to sweet and tangy Honey Garlic Salmon, crispy Broiled Salmon, flavorful Air Fryer Salmon Bites, and even hearty Salmon Steaks—you name it, it’s here.
But one of my all-time favorites is this Baked Salmon recipe. Not only is it absolutely delicious, but it’s also flaky and packed with flavor from the garlic butter and lemon sauce. Plus, it’s a breeze to make since it’s cooked in foil. Easy cleanup included!
If you’re looking for delicious side dishes to go with this baked salmon, try it with some green beans, broccoli, mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus, and/or rice.
Recipe Ingredients
Salmon – After making this recipe so many times, I’ve found that high-quality salmon is essential for the best flavor and texture. Wild-caught salmon is my top choice for its superior taste and sustainability.
Lemon Juice and Garlic – I’ve tested this recipe with both fresh lemon juice and bottled, and I can confidently say that fresh lemon juice adds the brightest, zestiest flavor. Freshly minced garlic infuses the butter with an irresistible aroma that pairs perfectly with the salmon.
Melted Butter – After experimenting with different fats, I’ve found that melted butter gives the creamiest texture and enhances the natural flavor of the salmon, creating that luscious garlic butter sauce.
Seasoning (Spices) – I used kosher salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper for a well-rounded flavor with a little heat. But after testing, I’ve found paprika, garlic powder, thyme, and Italian seasoning also work beautifully, so feel free to mix it up.
How to Choose the Best Salmon!
Fresh-ish Isn’t Always Fresh
Unless you’re snagging it straight off the boat or from a top-tier fish market, “fresh” salmon on ice might’ve traveled far and wide. Instead, go for frozen—it’s usually flash-frozen at sea, locking in peak freshness.
Pick Your Star Players
When it comes to flavor and quality, King, Sockeye, and Coho salmon steal the spotlight. Look for bright pink flesh and good marbling—they’re the real MVPs of the seafood counter.
Wild Is the Way to Go
Wild-caught salmon isn’t just tastier—it also has that beautiful vibrant color. Plus, it’s free from the antibiotics and pollutants that farmed salmon sometimes carries.
How To Make Baked Salmon
- Thaw salmon overnight in the fridge (place it on a plate to catch any drips). In a pinch, submerge it in a bowl of cold water—it should be ready in about an hour, depending on thickness.
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF and prepare a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- In a small bowl, add lemon juice, garlic, and melted butter and whisk until combined.
- Remove the salmon from the fridge and pat it dry with a paper towel. Place the salmon (skin side down) on a baking sheet and pour the butter mixture over it.
- Season with salt, pepper, oregano, and red pepper flakes.
- Fold the sides of the foil over the salmon to fully seal it.
- Place the sheet pan into the oven, and bake until cooked, about 12-16 minutes.
- Open the foil, and broil salmon for 2-3 minutes until the tops are golden. Be careful not to burn the fish by keeping a close eye on it.
- Remove the sheet pan from the oven when the salmon flakes easily with a fork. For perfect doneness, insert a thermometer into the thickest part of the salmon —it should read 145°F.
How long do you cook salmon in the oven at 400?
It will depend on the size and the thickness of your salmon filet. If your filet is very thick, I would say about 15 minutes in the oven at 400ºF. But it has a normal size, I would say about 12-13 minutes, or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork.
How to Tell When Salmon Is Done
Use a thermometer: Insert it into the thickest part.
- 115–125°F: Medium-rare
- 125–140°F: Medium to well-done
- 140°F: Fully cooked—take it out!
No thermometer? Gently flake the salmon with a fork. It should separate easily and look cooked to your preference.
Know your preference: Like steak, salmon doneness is personal. Try a few levels to find what you like best.
Ways to use leftover salmon
- Salmon tacos: shred the salmon up and serve it in a taco and salad.
- Salmon pasta: roughly chop up the leftover and add it to a pasta
- Salmon salad: break up the salmon with a fork and toss it in a leafy salad or greek salad.
- You can make salmon meal-prep for your lunch week since it stays go in the fridge for up 4 days.
- You can also make this quick and easy salmon patties.
To Store — Transfer leftover to an airtight glass container and keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Or, portion it out into meal prep containers to have for lunches throughout the week.
To Freeze — I like to place it in an airtight freezer-friendly container or freezer bags. Keep in the freezer for up to 4 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
To Reheat — Heat the leftovers in the microwave or on the stovetop. Add some olive oil to a hot pan and add the salmon to it. Cook until heated through.
More Salmon Recipes to Know:
Garlic Butter Baked Salmon – Foil Packet & Full of Flavor
Video
Ingredients
- 1¼ pounds salmon fillet
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tablespoons melted butter or melted ghee
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley to garnish
- lemon slices to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400ºF. Line a baking sheet. The piece of foil should be large enough to fold over and seal the fish.
- In a small bowl, add lemon juice, garlic, and melted butter or melted ghee. Whisk everything together.
- Place the salmon on the prepared baking sheet. Pour the butter mixture over the salmon.
- Season with salt, pepper, oregano, and red pepper flakes.
- Fold the sides of the foil over the salmon. Make sure it is well sealed so that the sauce does not leak. Place the pan into the oven, and bake until cooked, about 12-16 minutes. The cooking time depends on the thickness of the fillet.*
- Open the foil, and broil the fish for 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to burn the fish!
- Remove from the oven. Using a spoon, pour some of the butter sauce left in the foil onto the salmon before serving. Then, garnish with fresh chopped parsley and lemon slices.
Notes
- Do not wrap the salmon too tightly as the tin foil can take off some of the salmon, making it less pretty when serving.
- Avoid using parchment paper when broiling salmon, as it can easily burn under high heat.
- And if you love salmon recipes, try these delicious salmon recipes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did You Make This?
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How do you know when the Salmon is done enough?? Do you need to turn it over once half way??
No you don’t need to turn it over. It is completely cooked when the meat is opaque (solid pink) through the center. Always check the salmon at the thickest part of the fillet to prevent raw areas. Salmon must reach an internal temperature of 145F to cook completely. Hope it helps!
I made this and it was absolutely amazing! Of course I used more crushed red pepper than recommended as I like things spicy 😉.
I was out of oregano and substituted rosemary and thyme but I would definitely make this again. Served it on a bed of steamed spinach, would highly recommend!
Your version sounds delicious 😉
Made it tonight. A very easy recipe and very good. I’d make again.
Wow happy you enjoyed it!
This was very yummy, however maybe it’s the fact that the salmon I used was already de-skinned, but it turned out on the dry side. I cooked for 21 min then broiled for 2. Seems a bit overdone. Flavor is there though! Thanks!!
Yes maybe 21 minutes was so long for the size of your salmon. Next time cook for 15 minutes and check if it’s cooked though. The cooking time will always change according to the salmon size.
Hi Olivia
I was wondering if I could use salmon fillets in this recipe instead of 1 large salon fillet.? Would I have to adjust the cooking time?
Yes you can, but it probably would time about 10 to 12 minutes. It will depend on the size of the fillets.
We made this the other night after finding some nice salmon on sale at Aldi’s. I loved the recipe, our littles ate it and enjoyed it too, which isn’t easy to get a 6 and a 1 year old to enjoy fish.
We did all feel it was a smidge too spicey, so next time I plan to knock the crushed red pepper back to 1/8 tsp.
Thank you for sharing!
Yes you should add only 1/8 tsp of res pepper if you think it’s too spicy. But I’m so excited to hear that you and even your little ones enjoyed this recipe 😉
Super delicious!!!! I am so glad I found this recipe!!! It was my first time making a whole filet of Salmon and was intimidated, but this was so simple, I didn’t have to worry about over cooking!!
I’m so excited to hear you love this recipe!
This is the 2nd time for the re I’ve. The seasoned mixture is. Wry good.
Happy you liked it 😉
In the process of cooking this amazing recipe. Thus far I’ve had to cook my Salmon for a far longer time and higher temp, so I’m hoping it comes out delicious still. I have cooked it in increments of 10 minutes for the second time past the 1st initial 25 minutes so far. Fingerscrossed that it doesn’t overcook.
Hope it turned out well. Let me know how yours come out!
Fabulous salmon. Just made it fOr a small dinner party. DONE perfectly.
Amazing! Thanks for stopping by 😉
Omg it was delicious! All of my family except one picky eater liked it and wanted more. Garlic lemon butter sauce was awesome. We had extra sauce around the salmon so we could dip steamed broccoli into the sauce. We will cook again soon! Thank you for delicious and easy clean up recipe.
Wow I am so excited to hear this! Thank you so much for trying this recipe and taking time to leave your positive review.
Deliciousness…very savory and succulent!
Happy you enjoyed it 😉
I took the skin off before cooking! Is that not supposed to happen lol
I cooked with the skin because this is my preference, but you can cook without it for sure.
Loved this! Super moist and so easy to prepare. I would serve this to company. Thank you!
Great 😉
I was very happy with this recipe! Delicious, easy clean-up and there was no fishy smell in my house afterward. Thank you for adding the nutritional information as I have to watch sodium levels for my husband.
You’re very welcome. I’m very happy you liked this recipe 😉
This has been one of the nicest salmon recipes Ive tried . It was simple and quick and very very tasty , can’t wait to treat my friends to a nice evening meal.
Many any thanks.
Agnes.
Wow Thank you so stopping by and for your positive feedback 😉
How long should I cook it for if I have a 3 pound salmon?
Start cooking for about 20-25 minutes and check it every 5 minutes after that, just to make sure the fish won’t be dry. Thanks!
This was delicious! I added granulated California garlic with butter instead of fresh, (Only because I didn’t have fresh), omitted pepper flakes since my husband has stomach issues, and it was still fantastic. Even ate it cold for lunch today. It’s a keeper for sure!!
Awesome. It’s funny I also love eating this salmon cold for lunch 😉
Going to try this for Valentine’s Day. She loves salmon, and can’t wait to make it for her. Would you recommend against cooking 2 at the same time? I don’t mind if minensits for a bit, so if I have to do it one at a time, that’s ok.thanks!
I don’t think you should cook 2 at the same time.
I did, and it was delicious… put two salmon fillets side by side and cooked for 20 minutes.
That’s awesome!
I can’t believe it! I am a survivalist cook at best and this came out perfect! My dish even looked like the picture, I took a picture of mine because I was so excited 🙂 Thank you so much!
ahahahah That’s awesome! Happy you enjoyed this recipe 😉