Easy Lemon Garlic Baked Salmon is a simple and flavourful dinner made with tender salmon fillets, fresh garlic, lemon, and herbs. With very little preparation and everything cooked in the oven, this is an easy recipe for busy days and a great choice for a new cook.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 12–15 minutes
Total Time: 17–20 minutes
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Directions
- Preheat the oven. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and lightly grease a baking dish or line a baking tray with baking paper.
- Prepare the salmon. Pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel and place them in the prepared baking dish, skin-side down if they have skin.
- Make the lemon garlic mixture. In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
- Season the salmon. Pour the lemon garlic mixture over the salmon and gently rub or brush it over the fillets so they are evenly coated.
- Add the lemon. Place one or two thin lemon slices on each salmon fillet.
- Bake. Bake for about 12–15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon, until cooked through and it flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve. Sprinkle with fresh parsley, if using, and serve warm.
Serving & Storage
Serve the lemon garlic baked salmon with steamed rice, roasted potatoes, broccoli, green beans, roasted vegetables, or a simple green salad. Store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Allow the salmon to cool before refrigerating.
Reheating
Oven: Place the salmon in an oven-safe dish, cover loosely with foil, and warm at 160°C (320°F) until heated through. Microwave: Place the salmon on a microwave-safe plate and heat gently in short intervals until hot. Avoid overheating, as this can dry out the salmon.
Tip: Add a small squeeze of lemon or a teaspoon of water before reheating to help keep the salmon moist.