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This Lemon Garlic Salmon recipe is that recipe we all need in our lives. Simple, quick, and so easy to make. Made with a handful of ingredients and ready in just 30 minutes.
If you love salmon, you will love this easy and delicious baked salmon recipe. Very easy to make with just a few ingredients you most likely have handy. It is gluten-free, dairy-free, low carb, and keto-friendly. The marinade is made of lemon juice, lemon zest, freshly grated garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. This lemon garlic salmon will work well for a quick weeknight dinner or a salad topper for added protein. Also, if you like to meal prep your meals, serve this easy baked salmon with some sweet potatoes and a side of veggies.
Why You should try this baked lemon garlic salmon Recipe
- So easy to make: This baked salmon literally only needs a handful of very simple and readily available ingredients you most likely already have.
- Quick: you will only need about 20 minutes of bake time to make this baked salmon. Marinading for 30 minutes is optional but recommended.
- Delicious & healthy: citrus garlic flavor, made with clean ingredients. Can’t get healthier than this.
Ingredients you will need to make this salmon recipe
1.25 pounds salmon filets
3 medium lemons, 2 squeezed + 1 sliced
2 tsp lemon zest
3-4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper – plus additional to taste
Finely chopped fresh parsley
How to make this lemon garlic salmon
- First, preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F and grease a baking dish that can fit all pieces of salmon with some oil.
- Next, make the marinade: Whisk lemon juice, garlic, oil, salt, and pepper into a bowl.
- Marinade the salmon: Place the salmon fillets into a Ziploc bag and pour over the lemon marinade. Seal the bag and move the pieces of salmon to get them evenly coated with the marinade. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Then, prepare the salmon: Now layer the lemon slices into your prepared dish and arrange the salmon on top.
- Bake the salmon: Bake the salmon for about 12-15 minutes until cooked through. Depending on the thickness of your salmon.
- Once done, lay a few slices of lemon on top of your cooked salmon and switch the oven to the broil setting. Broil for 3 minutes until the top is nicely golden and crisp.
- Finally, remove from the oven, garnish with parsley and serve.
Substitutes and recipe tips
- Salmon: If you don’t like salmon use any other fish of choice. You may also switch to another protein of choice.
- Don’t have fresh garlic? Use one tablespoon of garlic powder
- It is best to use fresh lemons, but bottled lemons will be ok.
- Any oil of choice
- This lemon garlic salmon recipe can also be pan-seared if you would like to skip the baking. Simply add a bit of oil to a skillet and cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes on each side.
- Also, you may air-fry this salmon as well. We do have an air fried salmon recipe you can check out.
- Place leftovers in a container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave when ready to eat. You can freeze for up to 2 months.
FAQ’s
It all depends on what you are in the mood for. If you prefer a hint of sweetness, add honey, brown sugar, or maple syrup. For a salty tasting salmon finish, use soy sauce, miso, or capers. Like it a bit citrusy? Add lemons, lime, or vinegar. Make it creamy by adding coconut milk, cream cheese, or yogurt.
It is recommended to cook salmon skin side down first over medium heat for a few minutes before flipping it to the other side.
The FDA recommends that the salmon be cooked at an internal temperature of 145 F. To measure this, use a cooking thermometer and place it on the thickest part of the salmon.
You do not need to cover the salmon to bake thoroughly. Salmon is fairly easy to cook through and is best baked uncovered so you can get a crispy layer on top.
What sides to serve with baked salmon
- Parmesan Oven Baked Asparagus
- Potatoes Au Gratin
- Maple Pecan Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots
- Sweet and Sour Vegetable Stir Fry
- Garlic Parmesan Potato Wedges
- Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
- Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Other salmon recipe to try
- Salmon Avocado Salad
- Creamy Tuscan Salmon
- Sun-Dried Tomato Stuffed Salmon
- Easy Salmon Florentine
- Easy Salmon Patties
- Salmon Tacos with Corn Salsa
- Chili Salmon with Zoodles
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Lemon Garlic Salmon
Ingredients
- 1.25 pounds salmon filets
- 3 medium lemons, 2 squeezed + 1 sliced
- 2 tsp lemon zest
- 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper – plus additional to taste
- Finely chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and grease a baking dish that can fit all pieces of salmon with some oil.
- Whisk lemon juice, garlic, oil, salt, and pepper to a bowl. Place the salmon fillets into a Ziploc bag and pour over the lemon marinade.
- Seal the bag and move the pieces of salmon to get them evenly coated with the marinade. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Now layer the lemon slices into your prepared the dish and arrange the salmon on top.
- Bake the salmon for about 12-15 minutes until cooked through. Depending on the the thickness of your salmon.
- Once done, lay a few slices of lemon on top of your cooked salmon and switch the oven to the broil setting. Broil for 3 minutes until the top is nicely golden and crisp.
- Remove from the oven, garnish with parsley and serve.
Notes
- Salmon: If you don’t like salmon use any other fish of choice. You may also switch to another protein of choice
- Don’t have fresh garlic, use one tablespoon of garlic powder
- It is best to use fresh lemons, but bottled lemons will be ok.
- Any oil of choice
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Hi,
What do I do with the lemon zest? Thank you
Goes in with the marinade
Husband approved
yayyy
I just love the recipe, and feeling like preparing it right now.My mouth already started salivating.Can i prepare the same dish with any other fish? Right now salmon isn’t there
yes. Any other fish would work just fine.