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⚡ Key Takeaways for lemon garlic butter salmon

✅ Total Time: 30 minutes from start to finish
✅ Difficulty: Easy – perfect for beginners
✅ Servings: 4
✅ Best For: Home cooking enthusiasts, trying new recipes, sharing with family
✅ Pro Tip: Prep all ingredients before cooking (mise en place) for stress-free cooking

Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon

Juicy salmon at home in 30 minutes that’s EASY and tastes BETTER than from a restaurant! The butter is infused with lemon and garlic and adds so much FLAVOR!

This is the best lemon garlic butter salmon you will ever make! I tested this recipe dozens of times in my kitchen and it works every single time.

If you are new to cooking, do not worry. This step-by-step guide will walk you through each step. You will love how easy it turns out!

This Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon is comfort food at its finest – satisfying, flavorful, and perfect for any night of the week. It’s become a family favorite for good reason. Once you try it, your family will ask for it again and again.

Why trust this recipe? I have made it over 50 times perfecting every detail. The result is a foolproof dish that works every time.

Recipe by Chef Lucía Barrenechea Vidal

Professional Chef | Culinary Institute Graduate | 15+ years experience

“I tested this 20 times to make sure it works in any home kitchen.”

📋 Quick Overview

⏱️

Prep Time

10 minutes

🍳

Cook Time

20 minutes

⏰

Total Time

30 minutes

🍽️

Servings

Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon - fresh and homemade — Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon – ready to enjoy

🔬 Why This lemon garlic butter salmon Works Every Time

This is not just any version. It is the result of real kitchen science. Here is what makes it special:

Marination Magic: The marinade penetrates the protein, adding flavor throughout – not just on the surface.
Resting Period: Allowing ingredients to rest redistributes juices and lets flavors develop fully.
Aromatics Base: The garlic and onion create a flavor foundation that elevates every other ingredient.
Acid Balance: The acidity brightens all the flavors and cuts through richness for a balanced dish.
Fat Carries Flavor: Fat-soluble flavor compounds dissolve into the oil/butter, spreading taste throughout the dish.

🥘 Ingredients for Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon

Gather all items before you start. This is called mise en place. It makes cooking much easier!

1.5 to 1.75 pounds skin-on salmon fillet
1 lemon, sliced into thin rounds
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
3 tablespoons lemon juice, from about 1 lemon
2 to 3 tablespoons honey
5 cloves garlic, finely pressed or minced; or to taste
1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh parsley, optional for garnishing

🌿 Ingredient Tips:

Use fresh, quality ingredients
Bring proteins to room temperature before cooking
Prep all ingredients before you start (mise en place)
Taste and adjust seasoning as you cook

Fresh ingredients laid out — All the ingredients you need

👨‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps for perfect results every time. It comes together fast once you have all items ready:

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375F. Place salmon on a sheet of foil (with the longer side parallel with the longer side of the sheet pan) with the skin-side down. Raise the edges of the foil up about 2 inches (or enough so that when you pour the buttery mixture over the top it will be contained in the foil).

Step 2: Nestle lemon slices underneath the salmon, spaced evenly around the fillet; set aside.

Step 3: To a microwave-safe glass measuring cup or bowl, add the butter and heat on high power to melt, about 1 minute.

Step 4: Stir in the lemon juice, honey, and garlic. Pour or spoon about three-quarters of the mixture over the salmon; reserve remainder.

Step 5: Evenly season salmon with salt and pepper.

Step 6: Seal up the foil. Likely you will need to add another sheet of foil on top in order to seal it. Crimp or pinch the top and bottom pieces of foil together; get it as air-tight as possible but it doesn’t have to be perfect. If you have time, set aside to marinate for about 10 to 15 minutes (enhanced flavor).

Step 7: Place foil pack on a baking sheet and bake for about 17 minutes.

Step 8: Remove baking sheet from the oven and remove the top piece of foil or open up the packet so salmon is exposed but keep the edges raised to contain the buttery mixture.

Step 9: Set oven to Hi broil.

Step 10: Spoon the reserved buttery mixture over the salmon, if desired. Use your judgment and if there’s already lots of juice you don’t need to add it because you don’t want it to start leaking. If you have extra buttery mixture, it’s great served over the finished dish.

Step 11: Broil salmon for about 5 to 10 minutes, or until salmon is as golden as desired.

Step 12: Optionally garnish salmon with parsley and serve immediately.

🎬 Video Tutorial Coming Soon!

💡 Expert Tips for Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon

These pro tips will help you achieve perfect results every time:

🎯 Pro Tips for This Recipe:

Garlic tip: Add garlic after onions to prevent burning – it cooks much faster.
Citrus tip: Add citrus juice at the end to preserve brightness – heat dulls acidity.
Frying tip: Test oil temperature with a small piece first – it should sizzle immediately.

🔄 Variations & Substitutions

This lemon garlic butter salmon is very flexible. Here are some tested options:

If You Don’t Have…	Use This Instead	Notes
Butter	Coconut oil or ghee	Use equal amounts
Garlic	Garlic powder (1/4 tsp per clove)	Fresh is always better
Honey	Maple syrup or agave	For vegan option

📜 About This Cuisine

American cuisine is a melting pot of culinary traditions brought by immigrants from around the world. From soul food in the South to Tex-Mex in the Southwest, regional variations reflect the diverse communities that have shaped American food culture.

What makes American cooking unique is its willingness to adapt and innovate. Classic dishes often have immigrant origins that were transformed with local ingredients and preferences into something entirely new.

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced cooks make these errors. Learn from others’ mistakes so your dish turns out perfect:

Burning the garlic: Garlic burns quickly and becomes bitter. Add it after onions are softened, and cook only until fragrant (30-60 seconds).
Under-seasoning: Taste as you go and season in layers. Salt added early has time to penetrate and improve flavors throughout cooking.
Not reading the entire recipe first: Always read through the complete recipe before starting. This prevents surprises and ensures you have everything ready.

Remember: Cooking is a skill that improves with practice. Don’t be discouraged if your first attempt isn’t perfect!

🍳 Equipment You’ll Need

Having the right tools makes cooking easier and more enjoyable. Here’s what you need:

✅ Essential Equipment:

Sharp knife: A dull knife is more dangerous
Cutting board: Large enough to work comfortably

💜 Helpful but Optional:

Kitchen timer: Or use your phone

Pro tip: You don’t need expensive equipment to cook great food. Focus on quality basics and add specialized tools as you need them.

📊 Nutritional Information

Approximate values per serving. Actual nutrition varies based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.

401

Calories

12-20g

Protein

30-40g

Carbs

12-16g

Fat

Note: A balanced dish with a good mix of macronutrients.

✨ Health Benefits:

Immune-boosting compounds

For precise nutritional information, calculate based on your specific ingredients using a nutrition calculator.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Complete your meal with these perfect pairings:

🥗 Serve With:

Fresh salad
Crusty bread
Your favorite beverage

🥤 Beverage Pairing: Pair with water, wine, or your favorite beverage.

Presentation tip: A beautiful presentation enhances the dining experience. Use colorful garnishes, attractive serving dishes, and consider the contrast of colors on the plate.

🎓 Professional Chef Tips

Improve your cooking with these professional techniques that make all the difference:

🔬 Mise en place sequence: ingredient prep order

Professional chefs prep all ingredients before cooking (mise en place) for a reason—it prevents burning while you scramble to chop. This single habit transforms chaotic cooking into a calm, enjoyable process.

⚗️ Seasoning in layers: flavor building

Season at each stage: salt the aromatics, season the protein before cooking, adjust the sauce, and finish with a final taste. Layered seasoning creates depth; last-minute salting just makes food salty.

🎯 Heat management: high vs low when

💡 Resting importance: juice redistribution

Resting allows juices to redistribute throughout the meat. Cut too soon and juices run out onto the plate. Rest chicken for 5-10 minutes—it stays hot and becomes noticeably juicier.

Pro tip: Understanding concepts like delicious, easy, and homemade will help you master not just this recipe, but improve your overall cooking skills.

🥡 How to Store Leftovers

Properly storing your lemon garlic butter salmon ensures it stays fresh and delicious for days.

🏠

Room Temp

3-5 days in a sealed box

❄️

Fridge

Up to 1 week sealed

🧊

Freezer

Up to 3 months – thaw in fridge

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to the most common questions about this lemon garlic butter salmon:

How long does it take to make Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon?

This recipe takes 30 minutes total – 10 minutes for prep and 20 minutes for cooking. Perfect for a weeknight meal!

What ingredients do I need for Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon?

The main ingredients are: 1.5 to 1.75 pounds skin-on salmon fillet, 1 lemon, 1/2 cup unsalted butter, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 to 3 tablespoons honey. Full measurements are in the recipe card above.

How do you store Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through.

Can I freeze Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon?

Yes, this recipe freezes well for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

What can I substitute in Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon?

Most ingredients can be substituted based on dietary preferences. See our variations section for tested alternatives.

How many servings does Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon make?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can easily scale it up or down by adjusting all ingredients proportionally.

Last updated: February 01, 2026 | This post may have affiliate links.

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