Description
Succulent baked salmon with lemon butter cream sauce brings Mediterranean coastal flavors to home kitchens. Rich herbed butter and delicate fish create an elegant dinner experience you’ll savor with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 salmon fillets
- 3 tbsps unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup chicken or vegetable broth
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (for extra richness)
- 2 tbsps lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or dried thyme)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 400°F (200°C), creating an ideal roasting environment for the salmon.
- Prepare Baking Surface: Oil a baking dish or line with parchment paper to prevent sticking and simplify cleanup.
- Prepare Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels, ensuring a surface ready to absorb seasonings and develop a crisp exterior.
- Season and Dress: Arrange fillets in the prepared dish, drizzle with olive oil, and generously sprinkle salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning across the surface.
- Add Citrus Accent: Squeeze fresh lemon juice evenly over the seasoned salmon, infusing a bright, tangy flavor profile.
- Roast to Perfection: Slide the dish into the preheated oven and roast for 12-15 minutes, checking for doneness by gently testing with a fork – the fish should flake easily and appear opaque throughout.
Notes
- Control Moisture Carefully: Pat salmon fillets completely dry before seasoning to achieve a perfect golden-brown exterior and prevent steaming instead of roasting.
- Space Salmon Strategically: Leave enough room between fillets in the baking dish to ensure uniform heat circulation and prevent uneven cooking.
- Monitor Cooking Time Precisely: Check salmon at 12 minutes to avoid overcooking; fish should be slightly translucent in center and flake easily with fork for optimal tenderness.
- Customize Seasoning Flexibly: Adapt spice blend for dietary preferences by using salt-free herbs for low-sodium diets or replacing paprika with smoked alternatives for deeper flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg