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Baked salmon fillet served with lemon butter cream sauce on a plate.

Baked Salmon with Lemon Butter Cream Sauce

A simple and comforting baked salmon recipe featuring flaky fillets paired with a silky lemon butter cream sauce that brightens every bite.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 5 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Seafood
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the marinade
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 clove minced garlic
  • 2 tablespoons old-style Dijon mustard Adds texture and tang
For the salmon
  • 5 pieces skinless salmon fillets (about 5 oz each) Skin-on can be used if preferred
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 to taste Salt
For the lemon butter cream sauce
  • 0.25 cup unsalted butter Melted
  • 1.5 tablespoons minced garlic cloves Sauté until fragrant
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream For the sauce
  • 1-2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice For extra brightness
  • 1 tablespoon parsley (finely chopped) For garnish
  • as needed pieces Lemon slices For serving

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. In a bowl, mix lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, and Dijon mustard until emulsified.
  3. Coat salmon fillets with the marinade and season with black pepper and salt, letting them sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes.
Baking Salmon
  1. Place marinated salmon in a baking dish, spaced apart for even cooking.
  2. Bake for 10-15 minutes until the salmon flakes easily and reaches desired doneness.
Making the Sauce
  1. Melt unsalted butter in a saucepan over low-medium heat, then add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
  2. Stir in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer, allowing it to thicken slightly for about 3-5 minutes.
  3. Add lemon juice for brightness and stir in chopped parsley.
Serving
  1. Pour the warm lemon butter cream sauce over the cooked salmon and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

This recipe can also be prepared using skin-on salmon and offers variations including gluten-free and dairy-free options. The marinade can be prepared ahead of time. Serve with sides such as mashed potatoes or a salad.