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Flavorful Lemon Herb Baked Salmon Recipe with Garlic Butter and Olives

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A quick and easy baked salmon recipe featuring a zesty lemon herb marinade, garlic butter, and briny olives, perfect for healthy weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 skin-on, 6-ounce wild-caught salmon fillets
  • 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1/3 cup pitted Kalamata olives, halved
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Optional: Splash of white wine

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease an ovenproof dish.
  2. In a small bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, chopped thyme, chopped parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, and optional red pepper flakes. Whisk to combine.
  3. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Place them skin-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
  4. Drizzle olive oil over the salmon fillets and season generously with salt and pepper.
  5. Spoon the garlic butter mixture evenly over each fillet, coating the flesh well. Scatter the halved Kalamata olives around and on top of the fillets.
  6. Bake in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes, depending on thickness, until salmon flakes easily with a fork but remains moist inside.
  7. Check doneness around 12 minutes; add a couple more minutes if desired but avoid drying out the fish.
  8. Remove from oven and let rest for 3 minutes to redistribute juices.
  9. Serve hot with lemon wedges on the side.

Notes

Pat salmon dry before seasoning for a crisp skin. Melt butter gently to avoid browning. Avoid overbaking to keep salmon moist. Broil for 1-2 minutes at the end for crispier skin if desired. Can substitute butter with coconut oil or plant-based spread for dairy-free version. Fresh herbs preferred but dried herbs can be used at one-third the amount.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked salmon, lemon herb salmon, garlic butter salmon, healthy dinner, easy salmon recipe, Mediterranean salmon, salmon with olives

Find it online: https://lumalunch.com/flavorful-lemon-herb-baked-salmon-recipe-with-garlic-butter-and-olives-perfect-for-easy-healthy-dinners/