Have you ever stood in your kitchen, wondering what to make for dinner? You want something that feels a little special but does not require hours of work. I have been there so many times. That is when I turn to simple, elegant dishes that deliver big on flavor without a lot of fuss. And let me tell you, this recipe is a true star in that department.
This is one of my all time favorite Salmon Recipes Baked in a foil packet. It is incredibly easy, full of bright flavors, and the cleanup is an absolute breeze. It is a fantastic choice for a weeknight meal or even for when you have company over. You get a beautifully cooked, moist piece of salmon every single time.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, the flavor is just incredible. The sauce is a simple but amazing mix of melted butter, fresh lemon juice, sweet honey, and plenty of garlic. When this bakes with the salmon, it creates a rich, tangy, and savory glaze that soaks into every bite of the fish. It is truly a delightful combination.
The cooking method is another huge win. Baking the salmon in a foil packet seals in all the moisture and steam. This technique gently cooks the fish, making it incredibly tender and flaky. It is almost impossible to dry out your salmon this way, which is great for beginner cooks.
Let’s talk about cleanup, or rather, the lack of it. Since everything cooks inside the foil, you do not have a messy baking pan to scrub. You just serve the salmon and then toss the foil. It is one of the best parts of this recipe and a huge time saver on busy evenings.
This dish is also wonderfully versatile. It is one of those Healthy Salmon Recipes that does not feel like you are sacrificing taste. Salmon is packed with omega 3 fatty acids and protein. This recipe uses simple, wholesome ingredients to create a meal you can feel good about serving to your family.
It is also a fantastic base for so many Salmon Dinner Ideas. You can serve it with roasted vegetables, a fresh salad, rice, or quinoa. It pairs well with almost anything, making it a flexible main course for any occasion. This is a recipe you will come back to again and again.
Ingredients
Here is what you will need to gather for one of the most delicious Salmon Recipes Baked you will ever try. The ingredients are simple and easy to find at any grocery store.
- About 1.5 to 1.75 pounds skin on salmon fillet
- 1 lemon, sliced into thin rounds
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice, from about 1 lemon
- 2 to 3 tablespoons honey
- 5 cloves garlic, finely pressed or minced; or to taste
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh parsley, optional for garnishing
Step By Step Instructions
Ready to make some magic? Follow these simple steps for a wonderful salmon dinner. It is one of those Salmon Fillet Recipes that looks impressive but is actually quite simple to put together.
Step 1: Prepare The Oven And Foil Pack
First things first, get your oven preheating to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures it is nice and hot when your salmon is ready to go in. A properly heated oven cooks things more evenly.
Next, grab a large sheet of aluminum foil. You want it to be long enough to completely enclose the salmon fillet. Place your salmon on the foil with the skin side facing down. Then, gently fold up the edges of the foil about two inches high. This creates a little boat that will hold all that yummy sauce in.
Now, take your lemon slices and tuck them underneath the salmon fillet. Space them out evenly. This little trick infuses the salmon with a lovely citrus aroma from the bottom up as it bakes.
Step 2: Make The Honey Garlic Butter Sauce
It is time to make the sauce that makes these Salmon Recipes Baked so special. In a microwave safe bowl or a glass measuring cup, melt the butter. This usually takes about a minute on high power.
Once the butter is melted, stir in the fresh lemon juice, honey, and minced garlic. Give it a good mix to combine everything. The smell alone is just fantastic. Seriously, it is so good.
Carefully pour about three quarters of this buttery mixture over the top of the salmon. Try to coat the entire fillet. Hold on to the remaining sauce. We will use it later to add another layer of flavor.
Step 3: Season The Salmon
With the sauce on, it is time to season the fish. Sprinkle the salmon evenly with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Do not be shy. Proper seasoning is key to bringing out all the wonderful flavors in this dish.
If you have a little extra time, you can let the salmon marinate in the sauce and seasonings for about 10 to 15 minutes. This step is optional, but it does allow the flavors to penetrate the fish even more deeply. I highly recommend it if you are not in a rush.
Step 4: Seal And Bake The Salmon
Now it is time to seal up your foil packet. You will likely need a second sheet of foil to place over the top. Crimp the edges of the top and bottom foil sheets together to create a tight seal. You want it as air tight as possible to trap the steam, but it does not need to be totally perfect.
Place the entire foil packet onto a baking sheet. This makes it much easier to transfer it in and out of the hot oven. Pop it in your preheated oven and bake for about 17 minutes. This is a great starting point for many Salmon Dinner Recipes.
Step 5: Broil For A Golden Finish
After 17 minutes, carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. Open up the foil packet so the top of the salmon is exposed. Be careful of the hot steam that will escape. Keep the foil edges raised to keep all the juices contained.
Switch your oven setting to a high broil. Now, spoon that reserved honey garlic butter sauce over the top of the salmon. This will help it get a beautiful golden brown color under the broiler. This is one of my favorite tricks for Salmon Recipes Baked.
Place the baking sheet back in the oven and broil for about 5 to 10 minutes. Keep a very close eye on it. Broilers can work fast, and you do not want to burn your beautiful fish. You are just looking for a nice color on top.
Step 6: Garnish And Serve
Once the salmon is golden to your liking, take it out of the oven. Sprinkle it with some fresh, finely chopped parsley. This adds a nice touch of color and a fresh, herby flavor.
Serve your delicious baked salmon immediately. It is wonderful with the pan juices spooned over the top. This is truly one of the best Salmon Dinner Ideas for a satisfying meal.
How To Store Leftovers
While this salmon is best enjoyed warm and fresh, leftovers are still very tasty. Allow the salmon to cool completely to room temperature before storing it. This helps prevent condensation from making it soggy.
Once cooled, place the salmon in an air tight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors might even meld and become richer overnight.
Reheating can be tricky, as you do not want to dry it out. The best way is to gently warm it in a covered skillet over low heat with a splash of water. You can also flake the cold leftover salmon and use it in other ways. It is fantastic on top of a salad, mixed into pasta, or used to make salmon cakes. It gives you even more Healthy Salmon Recipes to try.
Tips
Want to make sure your salmon comes out wonderfully every time? Here are a few tips. First, do not overcook the fish. Salmon cooks quickly, and it is best when it is just cooked through and still moist. A good way to check is to see if it flakes easily with a fork.
When broiling, every oven is different. I recommend using the second rack from the top instead of the very top one. It might take a minute or two longer, but it greatly reduces the risk of burning the top of your salmon or the delicious sauce.
For the best Salmon Fillet Recipes, start with a good quality piece of fish. Look for a fillet that is vibrant in color and does not have any brown spots. The thickness should be as even as possible for uniform cooking.
Feel free to customize this recipe. You could add other herbs like dill or rosemary to the sauce. Sliced red onion or a few asparagus spears could be added to the foil packet to cook alongside the fish, making it a complete one pan meal. These are great starting points for your own Salmon Dinner Recipes.
Conclusion
There you have it, one of the easiest and most flavorful Salmon Recipes Baked you will ever make. It is a dish that proves that simple ingredients and a smart cooking technique can create a truly special meal. It is a reliable recipe that works every time.
I hope this becomes one of your go to Salmon Dinner Ideas for those nights when you need something quick, healthy, and delicious. Give it a try soon. I think you will be very happy you did. Enjoy every flaky, buttery bite.
FAQ
Can I Use A Different Type Of Fish?
Yes, you certainly can. This honey garlic butter sauce would be delicious with other sturdy fish like cod, halibut, or even tilapia. You may need to adjust the baking time depending on the thickness of the fish fillet you choose.
What Should I Serve With This Salmon?
This baked salmon is very versatile. It pairs wonderfully with roasted asparagus or broccoli, a side of fluffy rice or quinoa, or a simple green salad. For a heartier meal, you could serve it with roasted potatoes. These are all great Salmon Dinner Ideas.
Do I Have To Use Skin On Salmon?
No, you can use skinless salmon if you prefer. The skin helps protect the fish from drying out, but the foil packet does a great job of that too. The cooking time will be the same. This is a flexible approach for great Salmon Fillet Recipes.
Can I Make This Recipe On The Grill?
Absolutely. The foil packet method works beautifully on a grill. Preheat your grill to a medium heat, around 375 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the foil packet on the grill grates and cook for about 15 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through. This adds a lovely smoky flavor.
Baked Salmon with Honey Garlic Butter Sauce
This easy baked salmon recipe, cooked in a foil packet, features a delicious honey garlic butter sauce that creates a tender, flaky fish with minimal cleanup. It’s a quick and healthy meal, perfect for weeknights.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Place salmon skin-side down on a large sheet of aluminum foil. Fold up foil edges 2 inches high to create a boat. Tuck lemon slices underneath the salmon.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt ½ cup unsalted butter. Stir in 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 to 3 tablespoons honey, and 5 cloves minced garlic. Pour ¾ of the mixture over salmon.
- Season salmon evenly with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Optionally, let marinate for 10-15 minutes.
- Cover salmon with a second sheet of aluminum foil, crimping edges to create a tight seal. Place packet on a baking sheet and bake for about 17 minutes.
- Carefully remove from oven, open foil packet (watch for steam). Spoon reserved honey garlic butter sauce over salmon. Switch oven to high broil.
- Broil for 5 to 10 minutes, watching closely, until salmon is golden brown.
- Remove from oven, sprinkle with 2 teaspoons fresh parsley (optional), and serve immediately with pan juices.
Notes
Do not overcook the fish. Salmon cooks quickly, and it is best when it is just cooked through and still moist. A good way to check is to see if it flakes easily with a fork.
When broiling, every oven is different. I recommend using the second rack from the top instead of the very top one. It might take a minute or two longer, but it greatly reduces the risk of burning the top of your salmon or the delicious sauce.
For the best Salmon Fillet Recipes, start with a good quality piece of fish. Look for a fillet that is vibrant in color and does not have any brown spots. The thickness should be as even as possible for uniform cooking.
Feel free to customize this recipe. You could add other herbs like dill or rosemary to the sauce. Sliced red onion or a few asparagus spears could be added to the foil packet to cook alongside the fish, making it a complete one pan meal.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
Carbs
