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Easy Lemon Garlic Butter Baked Salmon with Capers

lemon garlic butter baked salmon - featured image
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A quick and flavorful baked salmon recipe featuring a buttery garlic sauce with lemon and capers, perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 salmon fillets (6 ounces each), skin-on, fresh or thawed
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 1 large lemon, juiced and zested
  • 2 tablespoons capers, drained
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
  2. In a small bowl, mix 4 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter with 3 minced garlic cloves, the juice and zest of 1 large lemon, and 2 tablespoons of drained capers. Stir well to combine.
  3. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Lightly drizzle olive oil (1 tablespoon) on each fillet, then sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  4. Arrange the fillets skin-side down on the baking sheet, leaving space between each.
  5. Spoon the garlic butter sauce evenly over each fillet, distributing the garlic and capers well.
  6. Fold a piece of aluminum foil over each fillet, sealing the edges to create a packet to trap steam and keep the fish moist.
  7. Bake for 12-15 minutes, checking at 12 minutes. The salmon should flake easily with a fork but remain juicy.
  8. Remove from oven and carefully open the foil packets, watching out for hot steam. Optionally, spoon some sauce from the foil over the salmon before serving.
  9. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges if desired.

Notes

For a slight crisp on top, open the foil during the last 2 minutes of baking and broil briefly, watching carefully to avoid burning the garlic. Use fresh garlic for best flavor. Double fold foil edges to keep steam in. Let salmon rest a few minutes after baking to redistribute juices. Leftover salmon can be refrigerated up to 2 days and reheated gently in foil at 275°F.

Nutrition

Keywords: salmon, baked salmon, lemon garlic salmon, butter salmon, capers, easy dinner, quick salmon recipe, healthy seafood

Find it online: https://atomicbite.com/easy-lemon-garlic-butter-baked-salmon-with-capers-recipe-for-perfect-dinner/