Description
This Easy Baked Salmon with Lemon Butter Cream Sauce is a restaurant-quality dish ready in just 20 minutes. Featuring tender, flaky salmon drizzled with a zesty, creamy lemon butter sauce, it’s a perfect meal for busy weeknights or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salmon:
- 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
For the Lemon Butter Cream Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Salmon
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Pat salmon fillets dry with a paper towel and place on the baking sheet.
- Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
Step 2: Make the Lemon Butter Cream Sauce
- While salmon is baking, heat a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add butter and minced garlic, sautéing for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in heavy cream and broth, stirring to combine.
- Add lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
- Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 3: Assemble and Serve
- Remove salmon from oven and let rest for 2 minutes.
- Drizzle lemon butter cream sauce over salmon.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately with side dishes.
Notes
- Herb Infusion – Add fresh dill or thyme for extra depth of flavor.
- Spicy Kick – Sprinkle in red pepper flakes or cayenne for heat.
- Dairy-Free Option – Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.
- Wine-Infused Sauce – Replace half of the broth with white wine for added richness.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: baked salmon, lemon butter sauce, creamy salmon, quick salmon recipe, easy seafood dish