Best Lighter Lemon Butter Baked Salmon Recipe
A simple, satisfying salmon recipe with a light lemon butter sauce that’s perfect for busy weeknights. This dish is flaky, tender, and bright without being greasy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Let salmon fillets sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes.
- Pat the salmon dry with paper towels on all sides.
- Place the fillets in a baking dish, skin-side down if they have skin. Season generously with salt and black pepper on both sides.
- In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, and dried dill until well combined.
- Drizzle the lemon butter mixture evenly over the fillets, using a spoon or brush to coat each fillet.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, depending on thickness, until salmon flakes easily with a fork and internal temperature reaches 125°F to 130°F.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 2 minutes. Spoon pan sauce over the top, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
For best results, let salmon sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before baking. Pat dry thoroughly to ensure sauce clings. Start checking doneness at 12 minutes to avoid overcooking. The pan sauce is great over rice or vegetables.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Protein: 34
Keywords: salmon, lemon butter, baked salmon, easy salmon recipe, weeknight dinner, healthy salmon, low-carb, keto-friendly