Amazing Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon in 15 Minutes

Oh, you HAVE to try my Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon! Seriously, it’s become my go-to for those nights when I want something totally delicious and good for me, but I’m also just… tired. You know? This recipe is so simple, but it packs such a punch of flavor. I remember first whipping this up when I was trying to eat healthier but refusing to sacrifice taste, and wow did it deliver! It’s the perfect quick weeknight dinner that feels a little fancy without any fuss.

Why You’ll Love This Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon

Honestly, why wouldn’t you love this salmon? It’s a total winner because:

• It’s ridiculously easy to make – seriously, a few minutes prep and into the oven it goes!
• Dinner on the table in no time, perfect for those busy weeknights.
• That lemon and garlic combo? So bright, zesty, and utterly delicious.
• It’s healthy and packed with goodness, so you can feel great about serving it.

Trust me, this one’s a keeper!

Ingredients for Your Perfect Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon

Alright, for this amazing Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon, you don’t need a ton of fancy stuff. It’s all about letting those fresh flavors shine! Here’s what you’ll need:

• About 1 pound of salmon fillet – I like to get one that’s nice and thick, maybe with the skin on because it helps keep it moist.
• 2 tablespoons of good olive oil. It really makes a difference!
• Around 3 cloves of garlic, and make sure they’re minced up nice and fine. The finer, the more flavor explosion!
• One whole lemon – you’ll want to get both the juice and the zest from it. Zest adds such a fragrant punch!
• Just a little pinch of salt, about 1/4 teaspoon, to bring out all those yummy flavors.
• And the same amount, 1/4 teaspoon, of freshly ground black pepper.
• If you’re feeling fancy, a tablespoon of fresh parsley, chopped up, for a little pop of green and fresh herbiness at the end. Totally optional, but oh-so-pretty!

That’s it! See? Super simple ingredients for a super delicious meal.

Simple Steps to Make Delicious Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon

Alright, let’s get this amazing Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon into your oven! It’s really as easy as 1, 2, 3, 4! Trust me, you’ll be wondering where this recipe has been all your life. We’ll get hands-on for just a few minutes, and then the oven does all the hard work while filling your kitchen with the most incredible aromas. It’s your new easy weeknight hero!

Preheating and Preparation for Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon

First things first, get that oven preheating to 400°F (that’s 200°C for my friends who use Celsius!). While it’s heating up, grab a baking sheet. I always line mine withparchment paper because it makes cleanup a breeze. Then, just place your beautiful salmon fillet right there on the prepared sheet. Easy peasy!

Creating the Flavorful Lemon Garlic Marinade

Now for the magic sauce! Grab a little bowl and whisk together your olive oil, that yummy minced garlic, the fresh lemon juice, and the lemon zest. Make sure to give it a good whisk until everything is happily combined. This little mixture packs a serious flavor punch and is the heart of your delightful Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon. You could even try something similar to mybaked cod recipe when you want a change!

Coating and Baking Your Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon

Time to spoon that glorious lemon-garlic mixture all over your salmon fillet. Make sure every nook and cranny gets a little bit. Then, pop that baking sheet into your hot oven. It’ll only take about 12 to 15 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the salmon flakes apart so easily with just a fork. If you’re feeling brave, you could even try broiling it for the last minute to get some nice crispy bits, kind of like myhot honey salmon!

Finishing Touches and Serving Your Salmon

Once it’s perfectly cooked, just take it out of the oven. Sprinkle on that fresh chopped parsley if you’re using it – it really makes the dish pop! Then, serve it up immediately and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon

Okay, so you’ve made the salmon, but I’ve got a few little tricks up my sleeve to make it absolutely restaurant-worthy! These are the things I always do to make sure my Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon is a total hit every single time.

Achieving Crispy Skin on Your Salmon

If you love that little bit of crisp on the skin, here’s my secret: once the salmon is almost done, just pop it under the broiler for a minute or two! Keep a super close eye on it so it doesn’t burn, but that’ll give you a lovely, crispy finish. It’s a game-changer, kinda like how a little char on grilled veggies makes them irresistible. Speaking of grilling, mygrilled salmon often gets that nice crisp too!

Customizing Your Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon

This recipe is fantastic as is, but you can totally play around with it! Love garlic? Toss in an extra clove or two, or maybe some garlic powder if you’re in a rush. Not enough lemon for you? Add more zest and juice! A little sprinkle of dried dill or a pinch of red pepper flakes can also add a fun twist. It’s so versatile, you could even pair it with somelovely sides from another favorite recipe of mine!

Serving Suggestions for Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon

So, you’ve got this beautiful Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon ready to go – now what to serve it with? This fish is pretty flexible, but I love pairing it with things that complement that zesty, garlicky flavor. Think about some vibrant, roasted veggies like my honey garlic roasted carrots or some delicious garlic herb roasted potatoes. For something greener, a simple side salad works wonders, or even a stuffed chicken dish like my spinach stuffed chicken would be a lovely addition.

Nutritional Information for Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon

Just a heads-up, the nutrition info for this Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon is an estimate, as things can vary a little bit depending on exact portion sizes. But generally, a serving is around 350 calories, with about 20g of fat (mostly the good unsaturated kind!) and a whopping 35g of protein. It’s a pretty healthy choice, right? You can find more yummy diet recipes and other healthy recipes here!

Frequently Asked Questions about Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon

Got questions about my super easy Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon? I get it! It’s great to know a few things before you dive in. Like, what if you only have frozen salmon on hand? Or is there a little secret to get it just right? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with the answers you need to make this recipe sing. You can check out my Baked Boursin Salmon if you want another simple salmon idea too!

Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?

Yep, totally! Just make sure to thaw it completely in the fridge first. If you bake it straight from frozen, it might cook unevenly and won’t be as flaky. Give it time to thaw!

What are good substitutes for fresh lemon?

No fresh lemon? No problem! Bottled lemon juice works, though it’s not quite as bright. You could also use lime juice for a different but still delicious citrusy kick.

How do I know when my salmon is fully cooked?

The absolute best way is to gently poke it with a fork. If it flakes apart easily and looks opaque all the way through, it’s done! You really don’t want to overcook it, or it gets dry.

Can I marinate the salmon longer?

You can definitely let it sit in the marinade for up to 30 minutes in the fridge if you have extra time. But honestly, for this recipe, the flavors are so quick to infuse that it’s not strictly necessary! Much longer and the acid from the lemon could start to “cook” the fish.

Share Your Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon Creation!

I would absolutely LOVE to hear how your Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon turned out! Did you try any fun variations of my own? Pop a comment below, give it a star rating, or better yet, tag me in your photos on social media! It always makes my day to see your delicious creations. You can also learn more about me and my culinary adventures too!

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