Lemon-Thyme Roasted Salmon with Garlic Butter Drizzle
Tender oven-roasted salmon fillets infused with lemon and thyme, finished with a warm garlic butter sauce for a succulent finish. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs (5 oz each) salmon fillets, olive oil, fresh lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces (5 oz each) salmon fillets
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place 4 salmon fillets (5 oz each) on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, and sprinkle with 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper evenly.
- Step 2: Roast the salmon for 12-14 minutes until just cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Step 3: While salmon roasts, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 4: Remove butter from heat and stir in 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
- Step 5: Drizzle the warm garlic butter over the roasted salmon before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Thyme Roasted Salmon with Garlic Butter Drizzle 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 Lemon-Thyme Roasted Salmon with Garlic Butter Drizzle?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (5 oz each) salmon fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Thyme Roasted Salmon with Garlic Butter Drizzle?
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 Lemon-Thyme Roasted Salmon with Garlic Butter Drizzle 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 Lemon-Thyme Roasted Salmon with Garlic Butter Drizzle?
Mediterranean seafood 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.
