Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon– Zesty, Juicy, and Oven-Easy Elegance

🐟 Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon – Zesty, Juicy, and Oven-Easy Elegance

This Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon is a citrusy, buttery masterpiece that’s as effortless as it is elegant. Crafted for busy home cooks and pros alike, it marries tender flaky salmon with bright lemon, roasted garlic, and herbaceous goodness in under 25 minutes. The result? A restaurant-quality dish with minimal fuss — juicy, aromatic, and deeply satisfying.

Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner, a healthy meal prep, or an upscale family lunch, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Roasted to perfection, it delivers that melt-in-your-mouth texture while keeping it light and nourishing. The best part? Everything bakes on one pan, with no mess and no stress.

This is not just baked salmon — it’s your signature salmon.

---

🧄 Ingredients

 

• 2 salmon fillets (skin-on or skinless, about 5–6 oz each)

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

• 1 tsp lemon zest

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• ½ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

• ½ tsp dried oregano or thyme

• Lemon slices, for topping

• Fresh parsley or dill, chopped (for garnish)

• Optional: A touch of crushed red pepper for heat

 

---

👩‍🍳 Execution (Method)

 

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a small baking tray with parchment or foil for easy cleanup.

2. Make the marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, salt, pepper, and oregano (or thyme).

3. Prepare the salmon: Place the fillets skin-side down on the baking sheet. Brush generously with the lemon-garlic marinade. Lay a thin lemon slice on top of each fillet.

4. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, adjusting based on the thickness of your salmon.. It should flake easily with a fork and be just opaque in the center.

5. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with fresh parsley or dill and serve hot with roasted veggies, rice, quinoa, or a crisp salad.

 

---

🥄 Additional Tips

 

• Don’t overbake: Salmon keeps cooking after you take it out of the oven. Pull it at 135°F internal temp for perfect results.

• Want crispy edges? Broil for the last 1-2 minutes.

• Make it buttery: Swap olive oil with melted butter for a richer flavor.

• Foil packet option: Wrap salmon in foil for extra-moist results and easy cleanup.

• Add color: Throw cherry tomatoes or thin-sliced zucchini around the salmon before baking.

 

---

📊 Recipe Details

 

• Difficulty: Easy

• Prep Time: 5 minutes

• Cook Time: 15 minutes

• Total Time: 20 minutes

• Servings: 2

 

Happy Cooking

Diana