Description
This Garlic Butter Parmesan Salmon recipe offers a deliciously rich and flavorful way to prepare tender salmon fillets. The combination of garlic-infused butter, tangy lemon juice, and savory Parmesan cheese creates a perfectly balanced dish that’s easy to prepare and bakes quickly in the oven. Ideal for a healthy weeknight dinner, this recipe yields moist, flaky salmon topped with fresh parsley and a hint of lemon, making it both elegant and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon
- 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each)
Garlic Butter Parmesan Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a baking dish to prevent the salmon from sticking during cooking.
- Melt Butter and Sauté Garlic: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned, infusing the butter with garlic flavor.
- Add Lemon Juice and Parmesan: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the fresh lemon juice and half of the grated Parmesan cheese to create a rich, tangy garlic butter sauce.
- Prepare Salmon: Place the salmon fillets in the greased baking dish. Season each fillet evenly with salt and black pepper according to your taste preference.
- Apply Sauce and Cheese: Pour the garlic butter mixture generously over the salmon fillets, ensuring each piece is well coated. Then sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese evenly on top to enhance the cheesy crust after baking.
- Bake Salmon: Bake the salmon in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and is cooked through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the salmon from the oven, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top for color and freshness, and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for an extra burst of citrus.
Notes
- Ensure not to overcook the salmon to maintain its moisture and tenderness.
- Freshly grated Parmesan provides the best flavor and texture compared to pre-grated cheese.
- Use fresh lemon juice for brightness; bottled lemon juice may alter the taste.
- Salmon fillets can be skin-on or skinless based on preference; adjust cooking time slightly if using thicker fillets.
- Leftover salmon can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
