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Baked Salmon Recipes with Lemon Butter Cream Sauce

When I think of a dinner that feels fancy but doesn’t leave me exhausted in the kitchen, this baked salmon recipe always comes to mind. I mean, come on, a golden piece of salmon resting in a lemon butter cream sauce—does it get any better? If you’ve ever stared at a fillet of salmon and wondered what to do, let me tell you, this recipe is the one to keep close. It’s simple, it’s comforting, and it’s one of those recipes with salmon that makes you feel like you’ve mastered seafood without even breaking a sweat. I’ve made this dish on busy weeknights when the fridge is practically empty, and even used frozen salmon for a baked shortcut—it still comes out tender and delicious. That’s the beauty of it. You don’t need a long list of ingredients to create something special. With a good squeeze of lemon and a bit of cream, you’ve got yourself a salmon recipe that tastes restaurant-worthy. I’ve tried other recipes salmon fans swear by, but this one has a way of becoming a favorite because it feels both homely and impressive. So, if you’ve been searching for that one recipe for baked salmon that always delivers, look no further. Whether you’re using fresh or frozen salmon, baked slowly in the oven, this dish will bring big smiles to the table. Honestly, every bite tastes like a little celebration—and that’s what I think good food should be about.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keywords: frozen salmon recipes baked, recipe for baked salmon, recipe salmon, recipes salmon, recipes with salmon, salmon recipes
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Linda

Ingredients

  • 4 salmon fillets (skin-on or skinless)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil.
  2. Pat salmon fillets dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear salmon for 2–3 minutes on each side until lightly golden. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
  4. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant.
  5. Pour in heavy cream, lemon juice, and zest. Stir well, then add Parmesan cheese and let it simmer until slightly thickened.
  6. Pour the sauce over the salmon fillets in the baking dish.
  7. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until salmon flakes easily with a fork.
  8. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm with your favorite sides.