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Baked Salmon with Lemon Butter Cream Sauce

Baked Salmon with Lemon Butter Cream Sauce

This Baked Salmon with Lemon Butter Cream Sauce recipe offers an effortlessly elegant dinner that combines flaky, tender salmon baked to perfection with a luscious lemon-infused butter and cream sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it balances tangy brightness and rich indulgence, making it perfect for quick weeknight meals or impressing guests with minimal effort.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Salmon

  • 4 salmon fillets (fresh or thawed wild-caught, about 6 oz each)

Sauce

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (parsley or dill), chopped
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Salmon: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels to ensure proper browning and crisp skin if desired. Place the fillets on a lined baking sheet and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. Make the Lemon Butter Cream Sauce: While the salmon bakes, melt butter gently in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the finely minced garlic and cook until fragrant but not browned. Stir in fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and heavy cream. Let the sauce simmer gently until it thickens slightly. Remove from heat and season with salt, pepper, and chopped fresh herbs.
  3. Bake the Salmon: Bake the salmon in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork but remains moist and tender inside. The ideal internal temperature is between 125°F and 130°F.
  4. Plate and Pour: Transfer the baked salmon fillets to serving plates. Generously spoon the warm lemon butter cream sauce over the top. Garnish with additional fresh herbs or thin lemon slices to enhance the flavor and presentation.

Notes

  • Choose Quality Salmon: Wild-caught salmon is preferred for its flavor and firmer texture.
  • Don’t Overcook: Keep a close eye to avoid drying out the fish. Aim for an internal temperature of 125°F to 130°F.
  • Use Fresh Lemon: Freshly squeezed juice and zest provide brighter, more vibrant flavors than bottled.
  • Simmer Sauce Carefully: Avoid boiling the cream to prevent curdling; gentle simmering is best.
  • Prep Ahead: Chop herbs and measure ingredients ahead to speed up cooking.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 salmon fillet with sauce (approximately 6 oz)
  • Calories: 400
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 150mg
  • Fat: 30g
  • Saturated Fat: 15g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 2g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 100mg

Keywords: baked salmon, lemon butter cream sauce, easy salmon recipe, quick dinner, healthy salmon, omega-3 salmon