Name: Baked Salmon Recipes with Creamy Lemon Butter
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each); 2 tbsp olive oil; Salt and black pepper, to taste; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 cup heavy cream; 1/2 cup chicken broth; 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice; Zest of 1 lemon; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 2 tbsp unsalted butter; 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Jump to Recipe

Salmon always feels like a little luxury at the dinner table, doesn’t it? This dish gives you that comforting, cozy vibe of home cooking while still feeling like something you’d order at a restaurant. What I love most is how the baked salmon sits in its creamy lemon butter sauce, practically begging you to scoop it up with a piece of bread. I’ve cooked salmon in a lot of ways—grilled, pan-seared, even air fried—but this one is the keeper. If you’re like me and you sometimes wonder how a few simple ingredients can pull off a miracle, well, this recipe is the answer. The salmon turns flaky and tender, while the sauce hits that perfect spot between tangy and rich. So whether you’re looking for baked salmon recipes, salmon recipes to keep things interesting, or maybe just an easy salmon recipe for a weeknight, this covers it. Think of it as the recipe salmon fans didn’t know they needed. It’s a recipe for baked salmon that you’ll make once and crave again. It’s the kind of salmon easy recipe that works whether you’re cooking just for yourself or showing off a little for company.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Creamy Lemon Butter Salmon Recipe
3) Ingredients for Creamy Lemon Butter Salmon
4) How to Make Creamy Lemon Butter Salmon
5) Tips for Making Creamy Lemon Butter Salmon
6) Making Creamy Lemon Butter Salmon Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Salmon
8) Try these salmon recipes next!
9) Creamy Lemon Butter Salmon Recipe
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This baked salmon recipe blends rich butter with tangy lemon.
It’s quick to make, taking just 30 minutes from start to finish.
The sauce is creamy yet light enough to let the salmon shine.
Perfect for weeknight dinners or a casual dinner party.

2) Easy Creamy Lemon Butter Salmon Recipe

When I say this is one of my favorite baked salmon recipes, I mean it. I’ve tried pan frying, grilling, even steaming salmon, but there’s something magical that happens when salmon bakes gently in the oven. The flavors meld, the fish stays tender, and the sauce soaks into every flaky bite. It feels indulgent, yet it’s so simple that I can throw it together after a busy day. I always find myself dipping a piece of crusty bread in the extra sauce—it’s too good to waste.

Cooking at home can feel like a chore, but this recipe makes it easy. It’s just a handful of ingredients, many of which you probably already have. It turns a weeknight into something you’ll look forward to. If you’re searching for salmon recipes that work every time, this one is for you.

I promise, once you try this recipe salmon style, you’ll realize why people keep calling it their go-to. Comfort food doesn’t always have to be heavy, and this dish proves it with every bite.

3) Ingredients for Creamy Lemon Butter Salmon

Salmon Fillets: I like to use fresh fillets about six ounces each. They cook evenly, and the portion feels just right. If you only find frozen, thaw them gently overnight in the fridge and pat them dry before cooking.

Olive Oil: A couple spoonfuls brushed on the salmon helps it stay moist and adds flavor. It’s one of those tiny steps that makes a difference.

Garlic: Four cloves, minced. Garlic softens in the pan and brings a savory punch that balances the cream.

Heavy Cream: This is what makes the sauce thick and luscious. It clings to the salmon without drowning it.

Lemon Juice and Zest: Freshly squeezed juice brightens the dish, while the zest brings fragrance and an extra zing. Skip bottled lemon juice; it just doesn’t taste the same.

Chicken Broth: A little broth thins the cream and balances richness. Vegetable broth works too if that’s what you have.

Parmesan Cheese: Grated Parmesan melts into the sauce, adding nuttiness and body. It’s subtle, but it matters.

Butter: Soft, unsalted butter melts into the sauce, pulling everything together.

Parsley: Fresh parsley sprinkled over the finished dish adds color and a fresh finish. It makes the plate look as good as it tastes.

4) How to Make Creamy Lemon Butter Salmon

Step 1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly oil a baking dish so nothing sticks. Place your seasoned salmon fillets inside, skin-side down if they have skin.

Step 2. Warm olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Toss in garlic and stir until it smells amazing. That moment when garlic hits hot oil is my favorite kitchen scent.

Step 3. Pour in chicken broth, cream, and lemon juice. Stir as the sauce bubbles lightly for a few minutes. It will thicken slightly.

Step 4. Add Parmesan and butter, whisking until they melt. Stir in lemon zest. The sauce will look silky and smell incredible.

Step 5. Pour the sauce over the salmon in your baking dish. Slide it into the oven and bake for about 18 to 20 minutes, just until the salmon flakes with a fork.

Step 6. Pull it out, sprinkle with parsley, and serve right away. The sauce will be creamy and full of flavor.

5) Tips for Making Creamy Lemon Butter Salmon

When I first made this dish, I overcooked the salmon. Lesson learned. Salmon keeps cooking even after you pull it from the oven, so take it out a bit earlier than you think. Let it rest for a couple of minutes. The carryover heat finishes the job, leaving the fish tender instead of dry.

If you want the sauce richer, don’t be shy with the Parmesan. Sometimes I toss in an extra spoonful or two and let it thicken. If it feels too heavy, splash in more lemon juice or broth to brighten it back up.

This recipe for baked salmon pairs well with vegetables. I usually roast asparagus or broccoli on a separate tray while the salmon cooks. That way, dinner is ready all at once with almost no cleanup.

6) Making Creamy Lemon Butter Salmon Ahead of Time

I’ve made this dish a few hours before guests arrive, and it holds up beautifully. The trick is baking the salmon just shy of done, covering it, and letting it rest. When you’re ready, slide it back into a warm oven for a few minutes to heat through. The sauce can be made ahead, too. Just cool it, store it in a container, and reheat it gently before pouring it over the fish.

If you’re planning meals for the week, this salmon works great as leftovers. Pack it in containers with rice or quinoa, and the creamy lemon butter sauce doubles as a dressing for vegetables. It saves me time and keeps lunches from getting boring.

This is one of those easy salmon recipes that doesn’t punish you for making it in advance. It actually gets better after sitting a little, which is rare for fish.

7) Storing Leftover Salmon

I often have a fillet or two left over, and I’ve learned to store it carefully. Place the salmon in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge. It’s best within two days, though it can last up to three. Reheat it gently, either in a low oven or covered in the microwave. Don’t blast it with high heat or the salmon dries out fast.

Leftover sauce can be a gift. Toss it with pasta, drizzle it over roasted vegetables, or spoon it onto a baked potato. It’s versatile, and I never let it go to waste.

If you want to freeze it, wrap portions tightly in foil, then store them in freezer bags. Thaw slowly in the fridge before reheating. It won’t be as perfect as fresh, but it still makes a quick and tasty meal.

8) Try these salmon recipes next!

9) Creamy Lemon Butter Salmon Recipe