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Garlic Butter Baked Salmon Recipe

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I love how this salmon dish transforms a simple dinner into a flavor-packed experience. The garlic butter mingles perfectly with a sweet, smoky rub to elevate the natural richness of the fish. It’s a creative, delicious, and relaxed approach to dinner that always leaves me craving more.

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I recently tried this Garlic Butter Baked Salmon recipe and it turned out to be the best way to cook salmon in oven I’ve ever experienced. I use 4 salmon fillets (about 6oz each) that have a great nutritional value, packed with lean protein and Omega-3 fatty acids.

First, I brush the fillets with 3 tbsp of unsalted butter that’s been melted and mixed with 4 garlic cloves minced for that rich garlic flavor. Then I sprinkle on 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper.

I sometimes add the juice of 1/2 lemon to bring a bright, zesty finish. This oven baked salmon recipe is not only healthy it also cooks evenly making it a go-to meal when I want an easy yet nutritious fish dinner that truly delivers on taste even when using simple ingredients.

Why I Like this Recipe

1. I love how easy it is to prep. I mean, tossing a few ingredients together and getting a meal that tastes so good is awesome, especially on busy nights.
2. I really dig the sweet and smoky kick from the brown sugar and smoked paprika. It gives the salmon this great flavor combo that feels fancy but is super simple to do.
3. The garlic butter really makes it special. I love how it soaks into the salmon, making every bite rich and buttery without being too heavy.
4. Its cook time is pretty forgiving so I never have to worry about overcooking it. I can leave it in the oven and still get that perfect moist, tender texture.
5. Finally, the recipe feels like a treat. Even though it’s easy to make, everytime i cook it, it feels like i’m impressing myself with a restaurant quality dish at home.

Ingredients

Ingredients photo for Garlic Butter Baked Salmon Recipe

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  • Salmon fillets provide lean protein and heart-friendly omega 3 fatty acids for a nutritious boost.
  • Unsalted butter adds rich flavor and moisture while keeping the flavors balanced without extra sodium.
  • Garlic boosts taste and offers natural antioxidants that help support the immune system.
  • Brown sugar sweetens the dish subtly while balancing garlic heat and smoky spices.
  • Smoked paprika gives a mild smoky kick that brightens the overall flavor.
  • Lemon juice adds tang and lightens the heavy buttery taste when used.
  • Salt and pepper enhance all flavors, while ingredients combine to create an unforgettable bite.

Ingredient Quantities

  • 4 salmon fillets (about 6oz each)

  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

  • 4 garlic cloves, minced

  • 2 tbsp brown sugar

  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

  • 1/4 tsp salt (or to taste)

  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

  • Juice of 1/2 lemon (optional)

How to Make this

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1. Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking dish with foil or parchment paper for easy clean-up.

2. Place the salmon fillets in the dish, making sure they don’t overlap.

3. In a small bowl, mix 3 tbsp melted unsalted butter with 4 minced garlic cloves and, if you’re using it, the juice of 1/2 a lemon.

4. Brush the garlic butter generously over all the salmon fillets, ensuring every bit gets coated.

5. In a separate bowl, combine 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper.

6. Sprinkle the brown sugar spice mix evenly over the salmon fillets to give them that sweet smoky kick.

7. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon is just opaque and flakes easily with a fork.

8. Keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking, as everyone likes a perfectly moist salmon.

9. Remove from the oven, let it rest for a couple of minutes, then serve and enjoy your delicious garlic butter baked salmon!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven preheated to 400°F
2. Baking dish lined with foil or parchment paper
3. A small bowl for mixing the garlic butter
4. A second bowl for mixing the brown sugar spice blend
5. Measuring spoons for the butter and spices
6. A pastry brush to coat the salmon with garlic butter
7. A fork for checking if the salmon flakes properly
8. A spatula for serving the salmon if needed

FAQ

When the salmon easily flakes with a fork, its done. Usually it takes about 12-15 minutes in a 400°F oven.

Yeah, you can but you might wanna reduce the extra salt in the recipe a bit so it doesn't turn too salty.

Sure, feel free to add things like lemon zest or a pinch of cayenne if you wanna spice it up a bit.

Not really, its optional. It just add a bright flavor to balance the richness of the butter, so if you're not into citrus, you can leave it out.

Absolutely. Marinating it in the garlic butter mixture for about 20-30 minutes can infuse more flavor, but its not needed if you're short on time.

Garlic Butter Baked Salmon Recipe Substitutions and Variations

  • If you dont have unsalted butter, you can try using extra virgin olive oil. It gives a slightly different but still tasty flavor.
  • If you run out of fresh garlic cloves, you could use garlic powder (about 1 teaspoon per clove) as a substitute.
  • If you’re out of brown sugar, honey or even maple syrup works as a decent alternative for that sweet touch.
  • Instead of smoked paprika, just use regular paprika if that’s all you got. You still get a good flavor.
  • If you dont have lemon juice, lime juice can be used. It adds a similar tangy kick to the dish.

Pro Tips

1. Let the salmon sit out for like 15 minutes before baking so it cooks more evenly, ya know. This gives the fillets time to warm up a bit, which can help them stay moist but cook through just right.
2. Make sure you pat the salmon dry with a paper towel before you add the garlic butter. If there’s too much moisture, the seasoning might not stick good enough.
3. If you’re into a bit more zing, try sprinkling a little extra lemon juice or even some lemon zest right after coming out the oven. It adds a bright flavor that cuts the sweetness a bit.
4. When you’re taking the salmon out of the oven, be very gentle. Let it rest for a minute so the juices can settle, that way you’re less likely to ruin the nice texture by moving it around too much.

Garlic Butter Baked Salmon Recipe

Garlic Butter Baked Salmon Recipe

Recipe by James Level

0.0 from 0 votes

I love how this salmon dish transforms a simple dinner into a flavor-packed experience. The garlic butter mingles perfectly with a sweet, smoky rub to elevate the natural richness of the fish. It's a creative, delicious, and relaxed approach to dinner that always leaves me craving more.


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Servings

4

servings

Calories

340

kcal

Equipment: 1. Oven preheated to 400°F
2. Baking dish lined with foil or parchment paper
3. A small bowl for mixing the garlic butter
4. A second bowl for mixing the brown sugar spice blend
5. Measuring spoons for the butter and spices
6. A pastry brush to coat the salmon with garlic butter
7. A fork for checking if the salmon flakes properly
8. A spatula for serving the salmon if needed

Ingredients

  • 4 salmon fillets (about 6oz each)

  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

  • 4 garlic cloves, minced

  • 2 tbsp brown sugar

  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

  • 1/4 tsp salt (or to taste)

  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

  • Juice of 1/2 lemon (optional)

Directions

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking dish with foil or parchment paper for easy clean-up.
  • Place the salmon fillets in the dish, making sure they don't overlap.
  • In a small bowl, mix 3 tbsp melted unsalted butter with 4 minced garlic cloves and, if you're using it, the juice of 1/2 a lemon.
  • Brush the garlic butter generously over all the salmon fillets, ensuring every bit gets coated.
  • In a separate bowl, combine 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper.
  • Sprinkle the brown sugar spice mix evenly over the salmon fillets to give them that sweet smoky kick.
  • Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon is just opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
  • Keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking, as everyone likes a perfectly moist salmon.
  • Remove from the oven, let it rest for a couple of minutes, then serve and enjoy your delicious garlic butter baked salmon!

Notes

  • Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.

Nutrition Facts

  • Serving Size: 170g
  • Total number of serves: 4
  • Calories: 340kcal
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2g
  • Polyunsaturated: 2g
  • Monounsaturated: 10g
  • Cholesterol: 80mg
  • Sodium: 350mg
  • Potassium: 500mg
  • Carbohydrates: 6g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Protein: 34g
  • Vitamin A: 750IU
  • Vitamin C: 4mg
  • Calcium: 30mg
  • Iron: 1mg

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