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Simple Baked Salmon with Zesty Lemon Butter Cream Sauce Recipe

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  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Simple Baked Salmon with Zesty Lemon Butter Cream Sauce is a quick and elegant meal perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions. Tender salmon fillets are seasoned and baked to perfection, then topped with a luscious, tangy lemon butter cream sauce that enhances the natural flavors of the fish. The dish is garnished with fresh parsley and served with optional lemon wedges for an added citrus burst.


Ingredients

Scale

Salmon

  • 4 salmon fillets (skin-on or skinless)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Lemon Butter Cream Sauce

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Garnish

  • Fresh parsley, chopped
  • Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)


Instructions

  1. Preheat: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
  2. Prepare the salmon: Place the salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle them evenly with olive oil, then sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper over each fillet to season them well.
  3. Bake the salmon: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the salmon for 12-15 minutes. The salmon is ready when it flakes easily with a fork, indicating it is cooked through but still moist.
  4. Make the lemon butter cream sauce: While the salmon bakes, melt the unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Then stir in the heavy cream, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and lemon zest. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Serve: Remove the cooked salmon from the oven and place it on serving plates. Drizzle the warm lemon butter cream sauce generously over each fillet. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges on the side for an extra burst of fresh citrus flavor.

Notes

  • Salmon can be cooked with either skin-on or skinless fillets based on your preference.
  • Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best flavor in the sauce.
  • Serve immediately for optimal taste and texture.
  • Leftover sauce can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and gently reheated.
  • This recipe can be paired with steamed vegetables or a light salad for a complete meal.