Succulent Salmon Foil Packets With Pineapple And Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce Recipe

Juicy Salmon Foil Packets with Pineapple & Lemon Garlic Butter Recipe

Tender salmon meets a zesty pineapple and lemon garlic butter sauce in these irresistible foil packets that promise a burst of tropical flavors.

Each flaky bite delivers a perfect balance of rich fish and bright, tangy notes.

The simple yet elegant cooking method locks in moisture and infuses the salmon with mouthwatering aromatics.

Foil packet cooking ensures minimal cleanup and maximum taste, making this dish a weeknight dinner champion.

Fresh ingredients transform an ordinary meal into a restaurant-worthy experience.

The combination of sweet pineapple and savory garlic creates a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Dive into this easy recipe and treat yourself to a culinary adventure that’s sure to impress.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15-18 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 3

Everything In Salmon Foil Packets With Pineapple And Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

For Proteins:
  • Salmon Fillet: Rich, omega-3 packed fish that promises tender, flaky texture with delicate flavor profile and best when chosen fresh or high-quality frozen.
  • Honey: Natural sweetener that balances savory elements and helps create caramelized glaze on salmon surface.
For Vegetables and Fruits:
  • Zucchini: Mild, tender vegetable that adds nutritious crunch and absorbs surrounding flavors perfectly.
  • Bell Pepper: Colorful veggie bringing sweet, crisp texture and vibrant visual appeal to the dish.
  • Red Onion: Sharp, slightly pungent ingredient that softens beautifully when cooked and adds aromatic depth.
  • Pineapple: Tropical fruit delivering bright, tangy sweetness that complements salmon's richness wonderfully.
For Sauce and Seasoning:
  • Butter: Creamy base that creates luxurious, velvety sauce and enhances overall dish richness.
  • Garlic: Aromatic powerhouse providing intense, warm flavor that elevates entire recipe.
  • Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Citrusy components bringing bright, zesty notes and cutting through rich salmon.
  • Parsley: Fresh herb adding final layer of color and providing clean, herbaceous finish.
  • Olive Oil: Smooth cooking medium that helps prevent sticking and adds subtle fruity undertone.
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning duo that amplifies and balances all ingredient flavors.
  • Red Pepper Flakes: Spicy element introducing gentle heat and complex underlying warmth.

Cooking Tools For Salmon Foil Packets With Pineapple And Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

  • Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for whisking together the lemon garlic butter sauce.
  • Small Whisk: Essential for blending sauce ingredients smoothly.
  • Sharp Kitchen Knife: Needed for cutting zucchini, bell pepper, red onion, and lemon zest.
  • Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for chopping vegetables and preparing ingredients.
  • Baking Sheet: Supports foil packets when cooking in the oven.
  • Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure honey, salt, and other seasonings.
  • Aluminum Foil: Crucial for creating sealed cooking packets.
  • Tongs: Great for carefully removing hot foil packets from oven or grill.

How To Make Salmon Foil Packets With Pineapple And Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

  • Foil Packet Preparation

Create individual cooking pouches using aluminum foil sheets, preparing a cozy home for your salmon and delightful accompaniments.

  • Seafood and Veggie Arrangement

Nestle salmon fillets in the center of each foil sheet, surrounding them with colorful zucchini, bell peppers, red onions, and sweet pineapple chunks. Sprinkle with a kiss of olive oil and a whisper of seasonings.

  • Flavor Explosion Sauce

Craft a magical butter sauce combining melted butter, fragrant garlic, zesty lemon juice, bright lemon zest, golden honey, and fresh parsley. Drizzle this liquid sunshine generously over the salmon and vegetables.

  • Cooking Magic

Carefully fold and seal the foil packets, creating little treasure pouches of flavor. Slide into a preheated oven at 400°F or place on a sizzling grill. Let the heat work its transformative powers for 12-18 minutes until the salmon is perfectly tender and flaky.

  • Final Flourish

Unveil your packets with anticipation, releasing a burst of aromatic steam. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and serve alongside fluffy rice or a crisp salad for a meal that celebrates ocean and garden flavors.

Flavor Tips For Salmon Foil Packets With Pineapple And Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

  • Moisture Magic: Seal foil packets completely to lock in juices and prevent salmon from drying out, ensuring tender, flaky fish every single time.
  • Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to check salmon's internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) for perfectly cooked, safe-to-eat fish without overcooking.
  • Veggie Swap Potential: Replace zucchini with asparagus, swap bell peppers for snap peas, or add cherry tomatoes for diverse flavor profiles and nutritional boosts.
  • Special Diet Adaptations: Create gluten-free versions by using certified gluten-free soy sauce instead of regular options, and substitute honey with maple syrup for vegan-friendly alternatives.
  • Flavor Boosting Hack: Let salmon marinate in lemon garlic butter sauce for 15-30 minutes before cooking to enhance depth of flavor and tenderize the fish even more effectively.

Serve Salmon Foil Packets With Pineapple And Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

  • Tropical Beach Plate Paradise: Serve this vibrant salmon packet over fluffy coconut rice for a vacation-inspired dining experience that transports you to a beachy destination.
  • Fresh & Light Summer Meal: Pair with a crisp mixed green salad topped with citrus vinaigrette to complement the bright, zesty flavors of the salmon and pineapple.
  • Hearty Grain Bowl Transformation: Create a nutritious grain bowl by placing the opened salmon packet contents over quinoa or brown rice, allowing the delicious butter sauce to soak into the grains.
  • Family-Style Sharing Feast: Spread the opened foil packets on a large platter, offering extra lemon wedges and chopped herbs, encouraging everyone to dive in and enjoy a communal dining experience.

Storage Guide For Salmon Foil Packets With Pineapple And Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

  • Quick Cool Storage Solutions: Refrigerate leftover salmon packets in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 2-3 days.
  • Smart Freezing Strategy: Wrap individual cooled packets tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, storing them in freezer-safe bags for up to 1 month.
  • Reheating Magic: Gently warm refrigerated packets in the oven at 325F for 10-12 minutes, ensuring salmon remains moist and tender without overcooking.
  • Meal Prep Hack: Prepare multiple salmon packets in advance, storing unbaked packets in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking, perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
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Succulent Salmon Foil Packets With Pineapple And Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce Recipe

Succulent Salmon Foil Packets With Pineapple And Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce Recipe


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4.5 from 25 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 3 1x

Description

Succulent salmon foil packets with pineapple and lemon garlic butter sauce deliver a tropical twist to seafood dinners. Hawaiian-inspired ingredients combine for a quick, flavorful meal that promises delicious results with minimal cleanup.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 salmon fillets (6 oz / 170 g each)
  • 1.5 cups pineapple, fresh, diced
  • 4 tbsps butter, unsalted, melted
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsps lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 zucchini, sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 0.5 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 tbsp parsley, fresh, chopped
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
  • 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Position oven racks and set temperature to 400°F (200°C) or prepare grill for medium-high heat. Gather four 12-inch aluminum foil sheets for creating individual salmon packets.
  2. Salmon Placement: Center salmon fillets on foil sheets, surrounding them with zucchini, bell pepper, red onion, and pineapple chunks to create a vibrant flavor foundation.
  3. Seasoning: Drizzle olive oil over the ingredients, then sprinkle with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to enhance the overall taste profile.
  4. Sauce Creation: Whisk together melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, honey, and chopped parsley in a small bowl to craft a luxurious lemon garlic butter sauce.
  5. Flavor Infusion: Pour the aromatic sauce evenly over salmon and vegetables, ensuring complete coverage and maximum flavor penetration.
  6. Packet Sealing: Carefully fold and crimp foil edges, creating a tight, moisture-trapping seal that will concentrate the dish’s rich flavors during cooking.
  7. Cooking Process: Roast sealed packets in the oven for 15-18 minutes, or grill for 12-15 minutes until salmon is perfectly cooked and vegetables are tender.
  8. Serving: Carefully open packets, releasing the aromatic steam. Garnish with additional fresh parsley and serve alongside rice, quinoa, or a crisp salad for a complete culinary experience.

Notes

  • Choose Fresh Ingredients: Select high-quality, fresh salmon fillets with vibrant color and firm texture to ensure optimal flavor and tenderness.
  • Perfect Foil Sealing: Create a tight, well-crimped seal to lock in moisture and prevent sauce leakage, allowing steam to circulate and cook salmon evenly.
  • Customize Heat Level: Adjust red pepper flakes quantity to control spiciness, catering to individual taste preferences without overwhelming the delicate salmon flavor.
  • Prevent Overcooking: Monitor cooking time closely, checking salmon at the 12-minute mark to avoid dryness, ensuring the fish remains moist and flakes easily with a fork.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 3
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 400 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 24 g
  • Cholesterol: 75 mg
Marcus Foley

Marcus Foley

Food Critic & Kitchen Coach

Expertise

Recipe Testing and Troubleshooting; Time-Saving Kitchen Hacks; Global Flavor Exploration; Engaging Food Writing and Honest Reviews.

Education

Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), New York, NY

  • Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in foundational techniques, flavor development, recipe creation, and kitchen efficiency, with an emphasis on real-world application and storytelling through food.

Marcus Foley, based in Atlanta, GA, is a friendly food expert who makes cooking fun and simple.

With hands-on training from the Institute of Culinary Education and years of tasting everything from street food to fine dining, he shares easy kitchen hacks, global flavor ideas, and step-by-step recipes that turn kitchen mishaps into delicious surprises.

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