Herb and Garlic Baked Salmon with Lemon Butter

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Salmon fillets baked with a blend of four fresh herbs and garlic, finished with a bright lemon butter sauce for a flavorful, tender entree. This mediterranean ready in about 25 minutes pairs salmon fillets, butter, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place 4 salmon fillets skin-side down on a lined baking sheet and season evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter with 4 minced garlic cloves until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tbsp each of chopped parsley, dill, thyme, and chives along with 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 1 tsp lemon zest.
  3. Step 3: Spoon the herb garlic lemon butter evenly over the salmon fillets and bake for 12-15 minutes until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Serve immediately with pan juices drizzled over.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Herb and Garlic Baked Salmon with Lemon Butter take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Herb and Garlic Baked Salmon with Lemon Butter?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Herb and Garlic Baked Salmon with Lemon Butter?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Herb and Garlic Baked Salmon with Lemon Butter for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Herb and Garlic Baked Salmon with Lemon Butter?

Mediterranean mediterranean like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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