Name: Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon: Foolproof 17-Minute Dish
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: About 1.5 to 1.75 pounds skin-on salmon fillet; 1 lemon, sliced into thin rounds; Half cup unsalted butter, melted; 3 tablespoons lemon juice, from about 1 lemon; 2 to 3 tablespoons honey; 5 cloves garlic, finely pressed or minced; or to taste; 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste; Half teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste; 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh parsley, optional for garnishing

Jump to Recipe

Who doesn’t love that melt-in-your-mouth salmon you get at restaurants? But let’s be real, weeknights are hectic! That’s where this Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon comes in – seriously, it’s faster than ordering takeout. And the best part? It all cooks on one sheet pan, so cleanup is a breeze. Last Tuesday, I was craving something fancy but had zero energy, and BAM! This recipe saved the day. It’s ridiculously easy and tastes like you spent hours on it.

Why You’ll Love This Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon

Okay, listen up! You NEED this Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon in your life. Seriously! Why? Let me tell you: it’s crazy quick to make, the cleanup is practically non-existent, and the flavor? Out of this world! Plus, you’re getting a healthy dose of protein that’s good for you. And the best part? You can totally tweak it to fit what you like!

Quick and Easy Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon

I’m all about easy dinners, and this one takes the cake. We’re talking, like, ten minutes of prep and then it’s into the oven. Boom! Dinner is served. Doesn’t get much better than that, right?

Restaurant-Quality Flavor at Home

Seriously, the lemon, garlic, and butter combo is just *chef’s kiss*. It’s like a fancy restaurant meal, but you made it yourself in your pajamas. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you!

Healthy and Delicious Salmon Recipe

Salmon is packed with good stuff, and this recipe makes it taste amazing. You’ve got those healthy fats, plus the bright flavors of lemon and garlic. It’s a win-win!

Ingredients for Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon

Alright, let’s gather our goodies! Here’s what you’ll need to make this magic happen. And hey, don’t stress too much about being *exact* – cooking should be fun!

About 1.5 to 1.75 pounds skin-on salmon fillet – Look for a nice, thick piece. The skin keeps it moist, trust me!
1 lemon, sliced into thin rounds – We’re talking thin, like you’re making lemonade.
½ cup unsalted butter, melted – I usually just nuke mine in the microwave. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t explode!
3 tablespoons lemon juice – Freshly squeezed is best, but bottled works in a pinch. It’s about one lemon’s worth.
2 to 3 tablespoons honey – Depends how sweet you like it! I usually go for 2, but my sweet tooth isn’t huge.
5 cloves garlic, finely pressed or minced – I *love* garlic, so I usually go for 5 big ones. But hey, you do you!
1 teaspoon kosher salt – Or regular salt, whatever you’ve got!
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper – Trust me, freshly ground makes a difference!
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh parsley – Optional, but it makes it look all fancy and tastes great too.

How to Prepare Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon: Step-by-Step Instructions

Okay, ready to get cooking? Don’t worry, it’s super easy! Just follow these steps, and you’ll have amazing salmon in no time. I promise, even if you’re not a pro, you can totally nail this!

Preparing the Salmon and Lemon

First things first, preheat your oven to 375F. Grab a big sheet of foil – bigger than your salmon! Place the salmon on the foil, skin-side down (that’s important!). Then, tuck those lemon slices underneath the salmon, all snug and evenly spaced. Lift up the foil edges a bit – like you’re making a little boat!

Making the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

Now for the magic sauce! Melt that butter in a microwave-safe bowl – about a minute should do it. Then, stir in the lemon juice, honey, and all that glorious garlic. Now, here’s a secret: pour most of the sauce over the salmon, but save a little bit for later. Trust me on this!

Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon - detail 1

Baking the Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon

Sprinkle some salt and pepper over the salmon – don’t be shy! Now, seal up that foil packet nice and tight. You want it airtight, so crimp those edges! If you’ve got time, let it sit for 10-15 minutes to marinate – it’ll make it even tastier. Pop it in the oven for about 17 minutes.

Broiling for a Golden Finish

Carefully open up the foil packet (watch out for the steam, it’s hot!). Keep those edges raised to hold in the yummy sauce. Now, turn on your broiler – high heat! Spoon that reserved sauce over the salmon, and broil for 5-10 minutes, until it’s golden brown and gorgeous. Keep an eye on it, it can go from perfect to burnt pretty fast!

Serving Your Delicious Salmon

Take that beautiful salmon out of the oven, sprinkle on some fresh parsley (if you’re feeling fancy), and serve it up immediately! Seriously, who needs a restaurant when you can make this at home? Get ready for some serious deliciousness!

Tips for the Best Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon

Okay, wanna take this Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon to the next level? Of course, you do! Here are a few little secrets I’ve learned that’ll make it *amazing*. These are my go-to tricks for perfect salmon every single time. Ready? Let’s do it!

Don’t Overcook the Salmon

Seriously, this is key! Nobody likes dry salmon. You want it to flake easily with a fork. If it’s still kinda translucent in the middle, it needs a bit more time. But err on the side of undercooked – it’ll keep cooking a bit after you take it out!

Marinate for Extra Flavor

If you’ve got a few extra minutes, let that salmon hang out in the lemon garlic butter sauce before you bake it. It soaks up all that flavor and makes it even more delicious. 10-15 minutes is perfect!

Adjust Garlic to Your Taste

I’m a garlic fiend, but hey, not everyone is! If you’re not a huge fan, start with 2-3 cloves and see how you like it. You can always add more next time! It’s all about making it *your* perfect salmon.

Variations for Your Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon

Okay, so you’ve nailed the basic recipe? Awesome! Now let’s get a little crazy! The beauty of this Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon is that it’s super easy to customize. Feel like switching things up? Here are a few ideas to get you started. Get ready to experiment!

Herb Variations

Not a parsley person? No problem! Try dill, thyme, or rosemary instead. They all add a totally different vibe. My favorite is dill – it just screams “fresh!”

Spice It Up

Want a little kick? Toss in some red pepper flakes! A pinch is all you need to add a little heat. Trust me, it’s delicious! It’s unexpected but so good.

Add Vegetables

Want to make it a complete meal? Throw some veggies on the sheet pan! Asparagus, broccoli, or green beans are all great choices. Just toss them with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper, and they’ll roast right alongside the salmon. Easy peasy!

Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon - detail 2

Serving Suggestions for Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon

Alright, you’ve got this amazing Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon ready to go… but what do you serve with it? Don’t stress! It goes with practically everything. Here are a couple of my go-to sides that make it a complete and totally satisfying meal.

Side Dishes

Fluffy rice is always a winner, or try quinoa for a little extra protein! Roasted vegetables are another great option – they’re healthy and delicious. Simple is best!

Salads

A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette is always a good choice. Or, if you’re feeling fancy, go for a more substantial salad with some grilled veggies or chickpeas. Yum!

FAQ About Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon

Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are a few things folks often ask me about this Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon recipe. If you’re wondering about something, chances are someone else is too! So, let’s get to it!

Can I use frozen salmon?

Yep, you totally can! Just make sure it’s completely thawed before you cook it. Pop it in the fridge overnight, or use the cold water method if you’re in a hurry. Pat it dry before baking!

How do I store leftovers?

Leftovers? If you have any, that is! Just pop the cooked salmon in an airtight container and stick it in the fridge. It’ll be good for 3-4 days. Great for lunch the next day!

Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?

Totally! If you don’t have fresh parsley on hand, dried works just fine. Just use about half the amount – so, 1 teaspoon of dried parsley instead of 2 teaspoons of fresh. Dried herbs are more potent, so less is more!

Nutritional Information for Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon

Okay, folks, let’s talk nutrition! Now, keep in mind that the nutritional info below is just an estimate. It can totally vary depending on the exact brands and ingredients you use. So, don’t take it as gospel, okay? Just a general idea!

Enjoyed This Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe?

Yay! I’m so glad! If you loved it, please leave a comment and rate the recipe below! And hey, share it with your friends – they’ll thank you!