Lemon-Garlic Baked Salmon Recipe

Plain and simple, salmon is one of the most versatile fish to cook as the options for marinades, glazes, and flavors are abundant. This recipe for lemon-garlic salmon is simple, but it still packs plenty of flavor into the fish, and who can resist the flavorful combination of lemon and garlic? They go together like two peas in a pod! Another great reason to eat salmon is for all the health benefits that it offers. According to Healthline, salmon contains protein, healthy fats, and several vitamins and minerals. It can also reduce inflammation and help keep blood pressure down. Basically, it's a no-brainer to eat. 

Recipe developer Christina Musgrave of Tasting With Tina came up with this tasty recipe perfect for a family dinner. "I love how easy this salmon recipe is. It requires only a few minutes of prep, then you bake and it's done," Musgrave raves. "It's definitely easy for a beginner and perfect for someone looking to make salmon at home." 

Gather the ingredients for this lemon-garlic baked salmon recipe

Like with any other recipe, this one should begin with a trip to the store. Pick up a salmon fillet, olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic, and a lemon.

Preheat the oven and add olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic

Preheat the oven to 400 F and let it get nice and hot while you do the rest of the prep work. Then, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place the salmon on top. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil on the salmon and rub it all over, allowing it to soak in. 

Now, it's time to infuse this salmon with some flavor! Sprinkle the salt and black pepper over the top of the fish. Then, add the minced garlic, spreading it all around.

Add the lemon slices

There's only one more thing to add to this salmon — the lemon. Simply top the fish lemon slices to add a hint of citrus to the fish. The flavors will soak in as the salmon bakes. "The lemon slices on top of the salmon really set it apart," Musgrave raves. 

Bake the salmon

Now that you are all done with the prep work, pop the salmon into the preheated oven. Bake it for 20 minutes or until the salmon reaches an internal temperature of 145 F. "I recommend using an instant thermometer to check temperature for doneness, and yes you can definitely broil the top if you want," Musgrave shares. 

Serve the lemon-garlic salmon

Remove the salmon from the oven and plate and serve as you wish. This salmon is filling on its own, but if you want to make it a more complete meal, Musgrave has a few additional serving suggestions to make it a more complete meal. "This is super versatile, so you can serve in many dishes! I love using this salmon in salads, rice bowls, or serving with roasted vegetables," she suggests. 

Lemon-Garlic Baked Salmon Recipe
5 from 63 ratings
This lemon-garlic salmon recipe is fresh and simple - perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Prep Time
5
minutes
Cook Time
20
minutes
Servings
4
Servings
salmon with lemon on plate
Total time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
  • 1 (2-pound) salmon filet
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lemon, sliced
Directions
  1. Preheat the oven to 400 F.
  2. Place the salmon on a lined baking sheet. Rub the salmon with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
  3. Sprinkle the salt, pepper, and minced garlic onto the salmon. Top with lemon slices.
  4. Bake for 20 minutes, until the salmon internal temperature reaches 145 F.
Nutrition
Calories per Serving 509
Total Fat 33.9 g
Saturated Fat 7.4 g
Trans Fat 0.0 g
Cholesterol 124.7 mg
Total Carbohydrates 2.1 g
Dietary Fiber 0.5 g
Total Sugars 0.4 g
Sodium 425.2 mg
Protein 46.6 g
The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Rate this recipe