Description
This Easy Baked Salmon with Lemon Butter Cream Sauce is a quick and elegant dish that combines tender, flaky salmon with a bright, creamy sauce infused with lemon and herbs. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion, it’s simple to make yet packed with flavor.
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each), skin-on or skinless
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for drizzling)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- Juice of 1 lemon (about 3 tbsp)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tsp dried dill)
- Optional garnish: Fresh parsley, lemon wedges
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Drizzle with olive oil and place them skin-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake the salmon in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes, depending on thickness, until it flakes easily with a fork. Remove from the oven and keep warm while you prepare the sauce.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, being careful not to burn it. Stir in the heavy cream, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the chopped dill.
Spoon the warm Lemon Butter Cream Sauce over the baked salmon fillets. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges on the side. Enjoy this delicious and healthy meal!
Notes
- For an extra crispy skin, start baking the salmon skin-side down and finish by broiling for 1–2 minutes at the end.
- Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt for a lighter version of the sauce.
- Pair this dish with roasted vegetables, quinoa, or a fresh salad for a well-rounded meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6th of the recipe
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 100mg