Zesty Baked Salmon with Lemon Butter Cream Sauce Recipe

The aroma of succulent baked salmon with lemon butter cream sauce fills the kitchen with pure culinary magic.

Golden-brown fillets glisten with a luxurious, velvety sauce that promises incredible flavor in every bite.

Fresh herbs and bright citrus notes dance across delicate salmon, creating a restaurant-worthy dish you can easily make at home.

Elegant yet simple, this recipe turns an ordinary dinner into a gourmet experience that feels both indulgent and light.

Rich, creamy butter melts into tender fish, complementing its natural, delicate texture.

Each forkful offers a perfect balance of zesty lemon and smooth, silky sauce that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Dive into this mouthwatering salmon recipe and elevate your weeknight cooking with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 5

Baked Salmon with Lemon Butter Cream Sauce Ingredients

• Salmon Fillets: Wild-caught or fresh fillets guarantee superior flavor and tender texture, ensuring a mouthwatering main course.
• Olive Oil: Helps distribute flavors and creates a silky coating for even cooking and enhanced taste.
• Ground Black Pepper: Adds subtle warmth and complexity to the salmon's delicate profile.
• Salt: Enhances natural salmon flavors and balances the overall dish's seasoning.
• Dijon Mustard: Provides tangy depth and helps create a vibrant marinade for the fish.

• Butter: Delivers rich, creamy foundation with luxurious mouthfeel and golden undertones.
• Heavy Cream: Creates velvety, smooth sauce with indulgent texture and luxurious consistency.
• Garlic: Infuses aromatic depth and robust flavor throughout the sauce.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens sauce with zesty acidity and fresh, citrusy notes.

• Fresh Parsley: Adds vibrant color, fresh herbal notes, and elegant visual appeal.

Cookware and Tools That Work for Creamy Salmon

• Baking skillet or baking dish: Essential for roasting salmon evenly.
• Medium saucepan: Perfect for creating the creamy lemon butter sauce.
• Medium bowl: Used for mixing marinade ingredients.
• Fork: Helps check salmon doneness and flaking.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.
• Cutting board: For chopping garlic and parsley.
• Sharp knife: Needed for mincing garlic and chopping herbs.

Easy Instructions for Lemon Butter Salmon in the Oven

• Flavor Preparation Excitement

Craft a zesty marinade combining bright citrus notes with aromatic garlic and smooth olive oil. This initial step transforms ordinary salmon into a culinary masterpiece by infusing rich, tangy flavors.

• Salmon Transformation

Nestle salmon fillets in a skillet, generously coating them with the vibrant marinade. Sprinkle with delicate seasonings that will enhance the fish’s natural goodness.

• Oven Magic

Slide the skillet into a blazing hot oven, allowing the salmon to cook until it reaches perfect tenderness. The high heat will create a delectable golden exterior while keeping the inside succulent and flaky.

• Dreamy Cream Sauce

Create a velvety sauce by gently melting butter and introducing fragrant garlic. Swirl in luxurious cream, letting it bubble and thicken into a silky blanket of deliciousness.

• Finishing Touches

Drizzle the luscious cream sauce over the warm salmon, letting the flavors mingle and dance. Garnish with fresh herbs that add a burst of color and freshness to your plate.

• Elegant Serving

Pair your salmon with complementary side dishes like creamy potato mash or vibrant roasted vegetables. Each bite promises a journey of coastal-inspired flavors that will transport your taste buds.

Flavor Tips for Creamy Sauce with a Tang

• Easy Cooking Tips & Variations
• Select wild-caught salmon with bright color, firm texture, and no fishy smell for the best flavor and nutrition.
• Replace heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut milk for lighter, healthier alternatives that still deliver rich, creamy results.
• Experiment with fresh herbs like dill, thyme, or tarragon to create unique flavor profiles that complement the salmon's natural taste.
• Add red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, or cajun seasoning to the lemon butter sauce for an extra kick of heat and complexity.
• Try Asian-inspired marinades with soy sauce, ginger, and sesame oil, or Mediterranean-style with oregano, lemon, and olive oil for international culinary adventures.

Plating Baked Salmon Like a Bistro Dish

• Pair with Elegant Side Dishes: Complement the rich salmon with creamy mashed potatoes or roasted asparagus for a restaurant-quality dining experience.
• Create a Fresh Salad Companion: Toss a light mixed green salad with a zesty vinaigrette to balance the creamy lemon butter sauce and cut through the salmon's richness.
• Enhance with Wine Pairing: Serve a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay to perfectly match the lemony, buttery flavors of the salmon.
• Garnish for Visual Appeal: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or add lemon wedges on the side to bring brightness and color to the plate.

Reheating Creamy Salmon Without Separating Sauce

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Always keep the fish covered to maintain moisture and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap individual salmon portions tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen salmon stays good for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheat Carefully: Warm salmon gently in the oven at 275°F for 10-15 minutes to prevent drying out. Avoid microwave reheating, which can make the fish tough and rubbery.
• Sauce Storage Tip: Keep leftover lemon butter cream sauce in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Gently reheat on low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent separation.

Succulent Salmon With Lemon Butter Cream Sauce Recipe

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4.8 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Homemade salmon with lemon butter cream sauce delivers restaurant-quality elegance on dinner plates. Rich Mediterranean flavors combine delicate fish with silky sauce that melts perfectly across your palate.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 salmon fillets
• ¼ cup (60 ml or 2 fl oz) unsalted butter
• ½ cup (120 ml or 4 fl oz) heavy cream or half and half
• 1 ½ tbsps garlic cloves (minced)
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• 1–2 tbsps freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tbsp parsley (finely chopped)
• lemon slices (for serving)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C), positioning the rack in the center for uniform heat distribution.
2. Marinade Creation: Whisk lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and Dijon mustard in a mixing bowl until thoroughly blended.
3. Salmon Preparation: Coat salmon fillets with the marinade in a skillet or baking dish, massaging the mixture to maximize flavor penetration. Sprinkle with black pepper and kosher salt.
4. Baking Process: Slide the skillet into the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes until the fish flakes easily and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
5. Sauce Development: While salmon cooks, melt butter in a saucepan over low-medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté briefly, then pour in heavy cream. Bring to a gentle boil, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
6. Sauce Refinement: Remove sauce from heat, adjust seasoning with additional lemon juice, black pepper, and salt to taste.
7. Plating: Allow salmon to rest for 3-5 minutes after removing from the oven. Drizzle with warm lemon butter cream sauce and garnish with chopped parsley.
8. Serving Suggestion: Plate alongside complementary sides like mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli, roasted asparagus, or atop homemade pasta.

Notes

• Marinate for Maximum Flavor: Allow salmon to sit in marinade for 15-30 minutes before baking to deeply infuse lemon and garlic notes.
• Temperature is Crucial: Use a meat thermometer to check salmon’s internal temperature, ensuring it reaches exactly 145°F for perfect doneness without overcooking.
• Sauce Consistency Matters: Stir sauce continuously while simmering to prevent burning and achieve a smooth, velvety texture without lumps.
• Resting Technique Enhances Juiciness: Let salmon rest after baking to help redistribute natural juices, resulting in a more tender and succulent final dish.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American-French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 60mg
• Fat: 32g
• Saturated Fat: 18g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 2g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 27g
• Cholesterol: 90mg