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Easy 20 Minute Garlic Butter Baked Salmon in Foil

Garlic Butter Baked Salmon in Foil comes together in just 20 minutes! This easy salmon recipe is slathered in a honey garlic butter sauce then baked in a foil packet for the perfect flaky bite. Guaranteed to be your new favorite salmon dinner!

cooked salmon in foil with lemon slices

One of My Favorite Baked Salmon Recipes

I don’t know about you, but when I am in a bind on the dinner front my absolute go to EVERY SINGLE time is salmon. In fact, I was on the phone with my husband the other night and he made a comment about how “salmon, asparagus and sweet potato hash are the joyful healthy eats dinner of choice.”

It’s not necessarily by choice, but more out of necessity. It’s a quick easy 15 to 20 minute dinner that everyone in my family loves. My kids devour it and so do I because it’s a flavorful, no fuss meal with easy clean up. And believe me, us moms need all the no fuss meals! Can I get an amen! Let’s get started!

flaky baked salmon in tin foil with lemon slices

What You’ll Need

  • Salmon: Yup, you kinda need salmon for this recipe. I usually get it from the fish monger at the grocery store and buy it with the skin on.
  • Butter: I use unsalted because I like to be able to control the salt of my recipes.
  • Honey: Adds a nice sweetness to the sauce
  • Garlic: You can never go wrong with too much garlic.
  • Dijon Mustard: Mustard will give the sauce a little bit of tang, which will cut through some of the fat of the salmon.
  • Spices: I love to use smoked paprika, red pepper flakes and then top with fresh herbs after the salmon comes out of the oven
  • Lemon: The acid will cut through some of the fattiness from the salmon, plus lemon is always a great “finisher” for any seafood.

How to Make Baked Salmon in Foil

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Line a baking sheet with a large enough piece of foil that you could fold over and seal to create a packet later on. Place salmon in the center of the foil.
  3. Season salmon with desired spice or sauces, then fold foil up around salmon to create a tent.
  4. Place in oven and bake for 10 to 14 minutes or until your desired doneness.
  5. Remove salmon from oven and turn broiler on HIGH.
  6. Unfold the foil so the salmon is uncovered. Place salmon back under broiler for 2 to 3 minutes till there is slight browning over caramelization on top.
  7. Remove from oven. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve.

Should I Cover Salmon While It’s Baking?

Honestly, I have done both. I’ve cooked my salmon uncooked and I’ve cooked it covered.

How Long Do I Bake Salmon at 400F

I like to cook my salmon at 400°F for 10-12 minutes. This gives me the most consistent doneness every time. I actually like to take my salmon out and put it under the broiler for 2-3 minutes afterwards to give it nice browned edges.

How Do I Know When Salmon is Done?

I can’t stress this enough, always check your salmon at the minimum bake time to ensure you don’t over bake your beautiful piece of fish. The best way to know if your salmon is done is to remove it from the oven, take a fork and either pull the salmon apart or twist the fork. If the salmon looks opaque and begins to flake then your salmon is done. If your salmon is still a dark pink color then you need to bake for a couple more minutes.

Flaky baked salmon with a fork in it, topped with lemon slices

Hands down this Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe is going to be a repeat recipe. I usually make my Honey Mustard Baked Salmon during the week, but it now has a strong contender for a more savory side. The kids devoured it and so did I.

If you’re in the market for a quick super easy recipe that flavorful, healthy and doesn’t make a ton of dirty dishes, let me tell you, this is it! I like to serve salmon with roasted asparagus and then usually a sweet potato hash that I make, but this Grilled Sweet Potato Salad would be absolutely divine!

I can’t wait to hear what you think. Bon Appetit friends!

Other Recipes with Baked Salmon:

Cooked salmon in aluminum foil with lemon slices and herbs
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overhead photo of easy 20 minute garlic butter salmon in foil recipe

Easy 20 Minute Garlic Butter Baked Salmon in Foil

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 11 reviews
  • Author: Krista
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Category: Seafood
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Tender Garlic Butter Baked Salmon in foil comes together in just 20 minutes! This easy salmon recipe is slathered in a honey garlic butter sauce then baked in a foil packet for the perfect flaky bite. 


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb. salmon
  • chopped parsley for garnish

Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce:

  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons raw honey
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon basil
  • 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Line a baking sheet with a large enough piece of foil that you could fold over and seal to create a packet later on. Place salmon in the center of the foil.
  3. In a small bowl, add garlic cloves, dijon mustard, butter, lemon zest, honey, smoked paprika, basil, red pepper flakes, pepper and salt. Mix everything together until combined.
  4. Pour lemon garlic butter mixture over the salmon and then fold foil up around it to create a tent.
  5. Place in oven and bake for 10 to 14 minutes or until your desired doneness.
  6. Remove salmon from oven and turn broiler on HIGH.
  7. Unfold the foil so the salmon is uncovered. Place salmon back under broiler for 2 to 3 minutes till there is slight browning over caramelization on top.
  8. Remove from oven. Garnish with chopped parsley and lemon wedges. Serve.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4 oz.
  • Calories: 246
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 137 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Carbohydrates: 10 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 24 g
  • Cholesterol: 64 mg

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