When it comes to easy, elegant dinners, nothing beats a beautifully seasoned baked salmon fillet. This recipe is light, buttery, and packed with fresh herbs and garlic—perfect for a simple weeknight meal or a weekend dinner with friends.
It’s made with just a handful of ingredients, ready in about 20 minutes, and delivers flaky, flavorful salmon every single time.
Why You’ll Love This Baked Salmon
- Foolproof: No complicated techniques—just fresh flavor and a trusty oven.
- Versatile: Works with any type of salmon or even pre-cut fillets.
- Nutritious: Loaded with protein, omega-3s, and healthy fats.
- Prep-friendly: Make the herb butter in advance for a quick dinner option.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 2 lb. salmon fillet (sockeye, Atlantic, Coho, or your favorite variety)
- Butter – softened; sub with olive oil for a dairy-free version
- Garlic – freshly minced
- Fresh herbs – I love a mix of dill, parsley, and chives
- Salt and black pepper
- Lemon juice – optional, but it brightens up the flavor
Tip: Want even more citrus flavor? Lay thin lemon slices right on top of the salmon before baking.
How to Make Baked Salmon Fillet
Step 1: Prepare the Herb Butter
In a small bowl, combine softened butter with minced garlic, chopped herbs, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth.
Step 2: Season the Salmon
Pat the salmon fillet dry with paper towels. Sprinkle lightly with salt, then spread the herb butter evenly over the surface. Use the back of a spoon to coat it well.
Step 3: Bake
Place the salmon on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 400°F for 15 minutes, then broil for 3–4 minutes to get that golden finish.
The salmon should flake easily with a fork and have an internal temp of 125–130°F in the thickest part.
Tips and Tricks
- No butter? Olive oil works beautifully—just drizzle it on and sprinkle the herbs and garlic overtop.
- Make it lemony: Lay fresh lemon slices over the fillet before baking.
- Leftovers tip: A drizzle of melted butter over reheated salmon keeps it moist and flavorful.
What Kind of Salmon Should I Use?
Any variety will do. Sockeye has great flavor, but Atlantic, Coho, or King salmon all work well. If using individual fillets instead of a whole side, reduce the bake time slightly—around 12 minutes, depending on thickness.
How to Tell When Salmon Is Done
You can check doneness in a few ways:
- Use a thermometer: Aim for 125–130°F in the thickest part.
- Fork test: Gently flake it with a fork—if it flakes easily and looks opaque, it’s ready.
What to Serve With Baked Salmon
This buttery salmon pairs well with so many sides:
- Sautéed Asparagus or Green Beans
- Instant Pot Broccoli
- Fried Brussels Sprouts
- Garlic mashed potatoes or wild rice
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Gently reheat in the microwave or in a 350°F oven until warmed through.
- Make-ahead: You can prep the herb butter and thaw the salmon ahead of time—just don’t assemble until ready to bake. Best made within 24 hours.
FAQs
Can I use frozen salmon?
Yes—just thaw it fully in the fridge before baking, and pat it dry to help the butter stick.
Can I grill this salmon instead?
Absolutely! Wrap it in foil and grill over medium heat for about 12–15 minutes.
Is this recipe dairy-free?
It can be—just swap the butter for olive oil or your favorite plant-based alternative.
Can I use dried herbs?
Fresh herbs are best here, but if needed, use 1 teaspoon each of dried dill, parsley, and chives.
Final Thoughts
This baked salmon fillet is one of those easy, reliable recipes that never disappoints. With its herb-garlic butter and tender texture, it’s elegant enough for guests and simple enough for Tuesday night dinner. Keep this one in your back pocket—you’ll use it often.
Baked Salmon Fillet
When it comes to easy, elegant dinners, nothing beats a beautifully seasoned baked salmon fillet.
Ingredients
- 2 lb. salmon fillet (1.5 lb. works too)
- pinch salt
- 3 tablespoon butter softened
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tablespoon chives chopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice or more to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400° and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper; set the salmon fillet on top of the parchment and use a paper towel to pat it dry, then add a pinch of salt on top
- Next, add the softened butter to a bowl, then stir in the garlic, salt, pepper, dill, parsley, and chives
- Use the back of a spoon to spread the softened butter over the salmon (be patient -- this may take a minute or two)
- Place the salmon in the oven and bake it for 15 minutes, then switch the oven to BROIL and broil it for 3-4 minutes. Remove it from the oven, then add the lemon juice. Enjoy
Notes
- Calories are per serving and are an estimation; serving size is 4-6
- To make this dairy-free, simply use dairy-free butter
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 547Total Fat 37gSaturated Fat 11gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 22gCholesterol 166mgSodium 373mgCarbohydrates 1gFiber 0gSugar 0gProtein 50g
Easy Shrimp Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
