Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon 6 Amazing Easy Steps
Tender, flaky salmon baked in a foil pack with bright lemon, rich butter, honey, and fresh garlic. Six clear steps deliver juicy results with a golden broiled finish and minimal cleanup.
Equipment
- Sheet Pan
- Aluminum Foil
- Small Bowl or Measuring Cup
- Chef’s knife
- Instant-read thermometer
Ingredients
For the Salmon
- 1.5 to 1.75 lb salmon fillet skin on, center cut if possible
- 1 lemon thinly sliced into rounds
For the Lemon Garlic Butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice about 1 lemon
- 2 to 3 tbsp honey to taste
- 5 cloves garlic finely minced or pressed
Seasoning and Garnish
- 1 tsp kosher salt or to taste
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper or to taste
- 2 tsp fresh parsley finely chopped, optional for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a sheet pan with foil. Place salmon skin side down on the foil, aligning the longer edge of the fillet with the long side of the pan. Fold foil edges up about 2 inches to create a barrier for the sauce.
- Nestle lemon rounds under the salmon, spacing evenly along the fillet to gently infuse citrus aroma as it cooks.
- In a heatproof cup, melt butter. Stir in lemon juice, honey, and garlic until fragrant. Pour or spoon about three quarters of this mixture over the salmon, reserving the rest for finishing. Season with salt and pepper.
- Seal the foil: cover the salmon with a second sheet of foil and crimp edges to form a packet that traps steam. If time allows, let it stand 10 to 15 minutes to lightly marinate.
- Bake the packet on the sheet pan for about 17 minutes, until the flesh looks mostly opaque and flakes at the thickest point. Target 125–135°F (52–57°C) before broil for a moist finish.
- Open the packet to expose the salmon. Switch oven to Hi Broil. Spoon on reserved lemon garlic butter if desired. Broil 5 to 10 minutes until the surface is lightly caramelized. For safety, salmon is done at 145°F (63°C). Garnish with parsley and serve immediately, drizzling pan juices over the top.
Notes
Tips: For gentler broiling, use the second rack to reduce scorching risk. Add thin asparagus or zucchini to the foil for a one pan meal. Maple syrup can replace honey for a deeper sweetness. Reheat leftovers low and slow at 300°F with a dab of butter to prevent drying.