This Garlic-Butter Baked Salmon is a simple yet stunning dish that brings together fresh herbs, bright citrus, and rich garlic butter to create a perfectly tender and flavorful salmon. Baked inside a foil packet, the fish steams gently in its own juices, ensuring it turns out moist and flaky every time. Fresh lemon slices infuse the salmon with a subtle brightness, while dill provides herbal depth that complements the buttery richness beautifully. It’s an easy, elegant recipe ideal for weeknight meals, dinner parties, or meal prep.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

You’ll love this recipe because it delivers restaurant-quality salmon with minimal effort. The garlic butter melts into every layer of the fish, the lemon adds freshness, and the foil pouch keeps everything incredibly tender. There’s barely any cleanup, and the salmon pairs effortlessly with veggies, rice, salads, or pasta. Whether you’re new to cooking fish or a seasoned home chef, this baked salmon guarantees delicious results every time.

Garlic-Butter Baked Salmon

Salmon is one of those proteins that feels both luxurious and accessible, making it a go-to choice for everything from simple weeknight dinners to elegant celebrations. But the key to unforgettable salmon lies in the preparation—and few methods are as effective or foolproof as baking it in a foil pouch with garlic butter, fresh dill, and lemon.

This Garlic-Butter Baked Salmon is built around fresh, vibrant flavors that highlight the natural richness of the fish. The combination of garlic and butter creates a silky, aromatic base that melts directly into the fillet as it cooks. Fresh dill adds a bright herbaceous note that cuts through the richness, while thinly sliced lemons lend their clean citrus fragrance to every bite.

One of the biggest advantages of this recipe is how effortlessly it comes together. With just a handful of ingredients and a few minutes of preparation, you can have a beautiful salmon fillet ready for the oven. The foil packet acts like a steam chamber, locking in moisture and ensuring the salmon cooks gently and evenly without drying out.

Another benefit is flexibility. You can make this dish with a whole salmon side for a dramatic presentation, or use smaller fillets for individual servings. It works wonderfully for dinner parties because it looks impressive while requiring almost no hands-on cooking time.

The technique also guarantees reliable results. Because the salmon is tented in foil, it’s far less likely to overcook, and the broiling step at the end adds a lightly browned, caramelized finish that enhances both flavor and texture.

This dish is also incredibly versatile when it comes to serving options. It pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables, garlic mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, quinoa, or fresh salads. Leftovers can be flaked into pasta, added to grain bowls, or used in sandwiches.

Whether you’re cooking for family, hosting guests, or simply craving something fresh and flavorful, this Garlic-Butter Baked Salmon delivers a comforting yet refined meal. With its vibrant citrus notes, gentle herbal aroma, and buttery garlic richness, it’s a dish that turns everyday ingredients into something truly special.

Servings & Time

Servings: 6–8
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 18–20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 side of salmon fillet (3 pounds)

• 6 sprigs fresh dill

• 2 lemons, thinly sliced

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• Kosher salt, to taste

• Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Remove the salmon from the fridge and let it rest at room temperature while preparing the foil and garlic butter.

2. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil; spray with non-stick cooking spray.

3. Lay 3 sprigs of dill and 1 thinly sliced lemon in the center of the foil.

4. Place the salmon, skin side down, on top of the lemons and dill; fold up the sides to form a pouch.

5. Melt butter and garlic together over low heat, then pour the mixture over the salmon.

6. Season the salmon with kosher salt and black pepper.

7. Add the remaining dill and lemon slices on top of the salmon.

8. Lightly tent the salmon with foil and bake for about 15 minutes or until almost cooked through.

9. Remove from the oven and take off the top foil.

10. Position the oven rack 6 inches from the broiler, return salmon to the oven, and broil for 3–5 minutes until lightly browned on top.

Tips

Ingredient Substitutions

• Use parsley, basil, or thyme if you don’t have dill.

• Replace butter with olive oil for a lighter version.

• Add crushed red pepper for a spicy kick.

Make-Ahead & Storage

• Prepare the foil packet up to 6 hours ahead and refrigerate until ready to bake.

• Leftover salmon keeps 3–4 days in the refrigerator.

• Reheat gently at low temperature to avoid drying out.

Serving Variations

• Serve with roasted asparagus or green beans.

• Pair with rice pilaf, quinoa, or garlic mashed potatoes.

• Flake leftovers over pasta or into fresh salads.

Avoid Common Mistakes

• Do not overcook; salmon should remain moist and flaky.

• Don’t broil too long—lemon slices can burn quickly.

• Make sure the foil pouch is sealed enough to trap steam.