Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon

Get ready for the most incredible salmon experience of your life! This Mediterranean-inspired dish combines zesty citrus, aromatic garlic, and perfectly flaky fish in a way that’ll make your taste buds dance.

The magic happens when the lemon-garlic sauce infuses into the tender salmon during baking, creating an irresistible golden-brown crust while keeping the inside perfectly moist. It’s fancy enough for company but easy enough for a weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

For the Salmon:

• 2 pounds salmon fillet
• Kosher salt, to taste
• 1 large lemon
• Chopped parsley, for garnish

For the Lemon Garlic Sauce:

• 2 large lemons
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 5 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Steps

1. Position racks and preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place one rack in center, another 6 inches from broiler. Line sheet pan with foil, leaving enough overhang to fold over salmon later. Brush foil with olive oil to prevent sticking.
2. Create the lemon-garlic sauce by zesting one lemon into a bowl (you should get about 1 tablespoon zest). Juice both lemons (about 6 tablespoons total). Whisk in olive oil, minced garlic, oregano, paprika, and pepper until well combined.
3. Pat salmon completely dry with paper towels (this ensures better seasoning adhesion). Season generously with kosher salt on both sides. Place skin-side down on foil. Pour sauce over top, using a pastry brush to ensure even coverage. Arrange lemon rounds decoratively on top.
4. Create a foil tent, ensuring at least 2 inches of air space above salmon. Crimp edges tightly to seal – this creates a steam chamber for moist cooking. If foil is too short, add another piece and seal edges well.
5. Bake 15-20 minutes until salmon is almost cooked through. Check doneness by inserting a knife into thickest part – it should be just slightly translucent in center (internal temp 135°F/57°C).
6. Switch to broiler on high. Open foil carefully (steam will escape) and broil 2-3 minutes until top is golden brown and internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C). Watch closely to prevent burning.
7. Let rest 5 minutes before serving (temperature will rise to 145°F/63°C). Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

Smart Swaps

• Replace olive oil with melted ghee (same amount) for a richer flavor
• Substitute fresh herbs (2 tablespoons each basil and oregano) for dried
• Use lime instead of lemon for a different citrus twist

Make It Diabetes-Friendly

This recipe is naturally diabetes-friendly! The protein and healthy fats help moderate blood sugar impact. To reduce carbs further:

• Skip the garnish lemons (saves 1g carbs per serving)
• Pair with roasted non-starchy vegetables instead of rice
• Serve with a side salad dressed in olive oil and vinegar

Pro Tips

• Let salmon come to room temperature 30 minutes before cooking for even baking
• Don’t skip the broiling step – it creates the perfect caramelized exterior
• For extra flavor, add 1 tablespoon of capers to the sauce mixture