Description
This Baked Salmon with Lemon Butter Cream Sauce is a quick and elegant dinner you can whip up on a weeknight or serve for a special occasion. The salmon is baked to perfection—flaky and tender—while the buttery, tangy sauce elevates every bite. It’s the ultimate combination of simplicity and flavor!
Ingredients
For the Salmon:
- Salmon Fillets (4 pieces, 6 oz each): Fresh or thawed, skin on or off.
- Olive Oil (2 tbsp): For coating the salmon.
- Salt (½ tsp): For seasoning.
- Black Pepper (½ tsp): To taste.
- Garlic Powder (½ tsp): For extra flavor.
- Lemon Slices (for garnish): Adds freshness.
For the Lemon Butter Cream Sauce:
- Butter (2 tbsp): Adds richness to the sauce.
- Garlic (2 cloves, minced): For depth of flavor.
- Heavy Cream (½ cup): Makes the sauce creamy.
- Chicken Broth (½ cup): Adds flavor and thins the sauce.
- Lemon Juice (2 tbsp): For a tangy kick.
- Lemon Zest (1 tsp): Brightens the sauce.
- Parmesan Cheese (¼ cup, grated): For an extra savory touch.
- Fresh Parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
-
Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
-
Season the Salmon
- Place the salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Rub the seasoning evenly over the fillets.
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Bake the Salmon
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
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Make the Lemon Butter Cream Sauce
- While the salmon bakes, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Add the heavy cream, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Let it cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese and whisk until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened.
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Plate and Garnish
- Place the baked salmon on plates, and spoon the lemon butter cream sauce over the top. Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices.
Notes
- Don’t Overbake: Salmon cooks quickly, so keep an eye on it to avoid drying it out.
- Use Fresh Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice gives the best flavor.
- Room Temperature Salmon: Let the fillets sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before baking for even cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Cuisine: American/European