Description
Lemon Garlic Salmon comes together in a flash for a restaurant-quality dinner that feels totally effortless at home. Tender fish fillets get a zesty punch from fresh garlic and bright citrus, making your weeknight meal feel like a special treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 salmon fillets
Supporting Ingredients:
- 3 cloves fresh garlic
- 1 lemon (juice and zest)
Seasoning and Finishing Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Fresh herbs (parsley or dill)
Instructions
- Heat oven precisely to 400°F (200°C), preparing your baking sheet with parchment paper or light cooking spray.
- Mince 3 cloves of fresh garlic into fine, uniform pieces, capturing their aromatic essence.
- Zest and juice 1 whole lemon, combining the bright citrus with 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a small mixing bowl.
- Add ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper to the lemon-garlic mixture, whisking until thoroughly blended.
- Arrange 4 salmon fillets skin-side down on prepared baking sheet, ensuring they do not overlap.
- Generously brush each salmon fillet with the lemon-garlic marinade, coating the entire surface evenly.
- Slide baking sheet into preheated oven and roast salmon for exactly 12-15 minutes, watching for the fish to become opaque and easily flake when tested with a fork.
- Remove salmon from oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley or dill for an extra burst of herbal freshness before serving.
Notes
- Fresh salmon guarantees the best flavor, so select bright, firm fillets without strong fishy odors.
- Patting the salmon dry before marinating helps the seasoning stick better and creates a nice golden crust.
- Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 145°F for perfectly cooked salmon without drying it out.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure all marinade ingredients are certified gluten-free and use a gluten-free baking sheet liner.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Salmon
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg