Baked Lemon Salmon

This easy baked lemon salmon recipe is topped with a bold lemon butter sauce that’s bright and refreshing, plus, it comes together in only 30 minutes.

Why this recipe works

Baked lemon salmon is obviously popular for a reason. Its rich yet delicate flesh benefits from a little acidity from the lemon without overpowering it. It’s topped with lemon slices, lemon pepper, lemon zest, and lemon juice for maximum citrus flair. Now, the lemon sauce is VERY lemony. While we don’t suggest tasting it on its own, it’s the perfect complement to the baked fish!

I absolutely adore salmon, whether it’s marinated, grilled, or topped with cream sauces galore. When made this and I photographed it, I promptly ate an entire filet, taking bites every time I passed by while cleaning up! It was so good.

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

SALMON – We used two pounds of center-cut salmon here. We prefer to use center-cut salmon because it’s uniform in size, meaning each filet will cook evenly together. To have nice individual filets, cut the raw salmon in half first so that you have 4 filets. Cutting already cooked salmon is possible but does not produce a clean line as the fish will be flaky.

LEMON – Aside from the lemon pepper, the main source of flavor comes from fresh lemons. I wouldn’t recommend using bottled lemon juice in this recipe. One medium-sized lemon will yield 3-4 Tablespoons of juice, whereas one large lemon should yield 4-5 Tablespoons of juice. I like to play it safe and grab two medium lemons just in case one doesn’t produce as much juice. Keep in mind you’ll need the zest from the lemon as well, and one medium lemon will be plenty for that. You can use the extra to slice and top the salmon with!

How to Make Baked Lemon Salmon

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

1. Preheat oven to 400F. Prepare a 13×9 dish by spraying with olive oil spray.
2. Add 1 teaspoon of the lemon juice to the melted butter and stir until combined. Brush some of the butter mixture onto the salmon filets. Reserve the rest of the butter for the sauce step later.
3. Season filets (to taste) with garlic salt and lemon pepper.
4. Place filets into the prepared 13×9 baking dish. Place 2 lemon slices on each filet. Season with additional garlic salt and lemon pepper if desired.
5. Bake salmon in preheated oven for 15 minutes. To brown it, turn up to broil and, watching it carefully, broil for 2-5 minutes.
6. While the fish is baking, prepare the sauce. Place remaining butter in a skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic if you like. Saute for less than a minute, then add the remaining lemon juice and lemon zest.
7. In a separate bowl or measuring cup, whisk together cornstarch and water. When the sauce mixture begins to boil, drizzle in the cornstarch slurry, whisking continuously. Turn off the heat when thickened.
8. Remove salmon from the oven. Brush generously with lemon butter sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

Store any leftovers in an air-tight container or tightly wrapped with aluminum foil kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the salmon on a baking sheet with a small amount of water or butter to help remoisten. Heat in a 275F loosely covered with aluminum foil for around 10 minutes or until warmed through.

Serving Suggestions

The baking time on this baked lemon salmon will yield a delicious fish, but it likely won’t be browned. We suggest a minute or so before it’s ready to come out, turn the heat up to broil and watch it carefully. It won’t take long to add a little brown to the fish and lemon slices!

You can pair it with roasted or steamed vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, or green beans along with either creamy mashed potatoes, orzo, or couscous. In reality, salmon pairs well with SO many different sides. Go with what’s your favorite!

More Fish Recipes

• Teriyaki Salmon
• Chilean Sea Bass
• Pan Seared Salmon
• Baked Orange Roughy
• Grilled Lemon Salmon

I love to bake and cook and share my kitchen experience with all of you! Remembering to come back each day can be tough, that’s why I offer a convenient newsletter every time a new recipe posts. Simply subscribe and start receiving your free daily recipes!