Baked Salmon with Lemon (Printable)

Flaky salmon fillets baked with fresh lemon and herbs for a bright, flavorful main dish.

# Ingredient List:

→ Fish

01 - 4 skinless salmon fillets, 6 oz (170 g) each

→ Marinade & Flavorings

02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
04 - 2 teaspoons lemon zest
05 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or ½ teaspoon dried thyme
07 - ½ teaspoon salt
08 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish

09 - 1 lemon, thinly sliced
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

# Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
02 - Place salmon fillets evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
03 - In a small bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, thyme, salt, and black pepper.
04 - Brush the marinade evenly over each salmon fillet.
05 - Lay thin lemon slices atop each fillet for enhanced flavor.
06 - Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and is opaque at the center.
07 - Remove from oven, let rest for 2 minutes, then garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, but you'll actually have time to set the table and pour yourself a glass of wine.
  • The lemon and herbs make the salmon taste clean and bright without covering up the natural flavor of the fish.
  • You can dress it up for company or make it on a Tuesday night when you just want something good.
02 -
  • Don't overbake the salmon or it gets dry and chalky. It should flake easily but still look a little glossy in the center.
  • If your fillets are different sizes, start checking the smaller ones earlier. I've learned this the hard way more than once.
03 -
  • Use a sharp knife to slice the lemons as thin as you can. Thick slices don't soften as nicely in the oven.
  • If you have a few extra minutes, let the salmon sit with the marinade for 20 or 30 minutes. The flavor goes deeper and the fish stays even more tender.

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