We have salmon for dinner about once every two weeks, and I had been wanting to throw together a marinade that was a little bit different than my usual go-to salmon recipe.
A little lemon juice and zest, a little honey (or maple syrup!), a little butter, salt, pepper and dijon and we’re set. Pour it over, bake it up and bite into lemon garlic buttery perfection.
My 1 year old son couldn’t get enough of this one, except we made it with maple syrup because he can’t have honey quite yet. He shoved it into his mouth, along with steamed buttered broccoli and delicious creamy coconut rice. Then next to me, Tony took a bite and exclaimed, “Oh WOW!”
One bite in, I knew this recipe absolutely had to make it on the blog for all of you. It’s delicious served with pesto pasta, creamy rice or a hearty salad. Lots of suggestions below! Enjoy.
Keys to the perfect salmon marinade
Let’s talk about this honey lemon garlic marinade magic. There are a few components to a marinade or glaze that make it perfect for adding to proteins like fish and other meats.
- Fat from oil, butter or even a full fat yogurt.
- Acid from different types of vinegars or citrus fruits.
- Seasonings from spices and fresh or dried herbs.
- Bonus: sweetness! I love adding a touch of sweetness to marinades & glazes to balance the flavors.
Everything you’ll need to make lemon garlic salmon
The best part about this delicious lemon garlic salmon recipe is how such simple ingredients can create such amazing flavors. Here’s everything you’ll need to make it:
- Wild or Farmed Salmon: you’ll need 1 pound of salmon in this recipe. You can choose wild or farmed, it’s up to you. Farm-raised salmon tends to be milder in flavor and more fatty/buttery in texture, while on the other hand wild salmon can be a little more spendy, but is leaner, more pink, and higher in minerals such zinc and iron. Both are delicious!
- Butter: using a fat in the lemon honey garlic marinade is key. I love the savory flavor that butter adds.
- Sweetener: as I mentioned, I love adding a little sweetness to glazes and marinades. In this recipe I used honey, but you can use maple syrup instead if you prefer.
- Zing: yes, we’re adding some “zing” with the acidity from fresh lemon juice, lemon zest and a little tang from grainy dijon mustard. This takes it to the next level, trust me!
- Seasonings: you’ll also mix in garlic (fresh cloves or garlic powder) and plenty of salt and pepper.
How to cook the perfect salmon in the oven
I absolutely love cooking salmon in the oven so that it’s moist, flavorful and stays together well. Here’s exactly how to bake this lemon garlic salmon so it comes out perfectly every time:
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
- Generously season your salmon with the amazing lemon garlic honey marinade.
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and grease lightly with olive oil or nonstick cooking spray.
- Place salmon skin side down on baking sheet. Pour/brush marinade over the top of the salmon.
- For every inch of thickness, bake for 15 minutes. My salmon is usually perfect around 16-18 minutes. Flake salmon with a fork and serve!
As a rule of thumb, it’s best to undercook rather than overcook your salmon so that it does not dry out.
How to grill salmon
This easy lemon garlic salmon recipe would be perfect for grilling, too! If you’re someone who grills all year round (or lives in a warm place – jealous) here’s exactly how to do it:
- Preheat a gas grill over medium-high heat. Meanwhile, pour or generously brush the lemon garlic honey marinade over the salmon.
- Place salmon skin side down first on grill or on foil (to seal in the flavors!) close grill lid and grill about 6-8 minutes. It’s easier to grill skin side down first so you can slide a spatula under the skin for flipping once it crisps up.
- Carefully flip salmon and cook 6-8 more minutes or until cooked well. Salmon is tricky, but just like baking it, it’s best to undercook rather than overcook your filets.
What to serve with this lemon garlic salmon
This easy lemon garlic salmon is perfect for serving with any of your favorite salads, side dishes or even pasta dishes. We love it with broccoli and coconut rice, but here are some other of my favs:
- Winter Butternut Squash Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad
- Brown Butter Pistachio Pesto Pasta with Chickpeas (this is the most perfect addition to make this a full meal!)
- Date Night In Cilantro Pistachio Pesto Shrimp Pasta (just leave out the shrimp!)
- Roasted Veggie, Chickpea & Pesto Quinoa Salad
- Roasted Sweet Potato & Arugula Salad with Turmeric Honey Mustard Yogurt Dressing
- Warm Brussels Sprouts Salad
- Sesame Garlic Roasted Asparagus
- Balsamic Herb Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables
- How to Make Cauliflower Rice
- Maple Glazed Carrots with Goat Cheese & Pistachios
How to store leftover salmon
If you happen to have salmon leftover, simply place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Call me crazy, but I actually love leftover salmon with scrambled eggs. Try it in breakfast tacos or a breakfast quesadilla like this one!
I hope you love this easy honey lemon garlic salmon recipe! If you make it be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Enjoy, xo!
Honey Lemon Garlic Salmon
Wonderful honey lemon garlic salmon covered in an easy lemon garlic butter marinade and baked to flaky perfection. This flavorful lemon garlic salmon recipe makes a delicious, protein packed dinner served with your favorite salad or side dishes, and the marinade is perfect for your go-to proteins.
Ingredients
- 1 pound salmon
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons honey (or sub pure maple syrup)
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard, preferably grainy dijon
- ½ lemon, juiced
- Zest from 1 lemon
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (or 3 cloves garlic, minced)
- Freshly ground salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and grease lightly with olive oil or nonstick cooking spray. Place salmon skin side down.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter, honey, dijon, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic powder and salt and pepper. Generously brush the salmon with the marinade.
- Place salmon in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until salmon easily flakes with a fork. Mine is always perfect at 16-18 minutes. Enjoy immediately.
Recipe Notes
How to grill salmon: this easy lemon garlic salmon recipe would be perfect for grilling, too! If you're someone who grills all year round (or lives in a warm place - jealous) here's exactly how to do it:
- Preheat a gas grill over medium-high heat. Meanwhile, pour or generously brush the lemon garlic honey marinade over the salmon.
- Place salmon skin side down first on grill or on foil (to seal in the flavors!) close grill lid and grill about 6-8 minutes. It’s easier to grill skin side down first so you can slide a spatula under the skin for flipping once it crisps up.
- Carefully flip salmon and cook 6-8 more minutes or until cooked well. Salmon is tricky, but just like baking it, it’s best to undercook rather than overcook your filets.
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by: Eat Love Eats
43 comments
Is the salmon a filet or a steak?
Is it eaten with its skin on?
Thank you.
I usually get a salmon filet and cook it with the skin on! The skin should come off after it’s baked 🙂
Just made this tonight for my boyfriend and I. He devoured it in basically one inhale. This was such an awesome salmon recipe – thank you for sharing this! Next time I’ll snap a pic and tag you in the dish – we just couldn’t wait to eat! I made pesto gnocchi for a side dish…. perfect combo!
Amazing! Love the idea of gnocchi on the side – so good!
Made this tonight and it was amazing as your recipes always are! Served with Parmesan rotini pasta and roasted asparagus. Definite repeater!
Love it! Glad you enjoyed!
Sounds nice but including metric temperature, weights etc. would be a great help for over 90% of the world.
We are not all American !!
Thank you for your feedback!
Loved your recipe for the Salmon! Thanks ever so much. It was delicious! Please do add me to your mailing list for all future recipes. Thank you.
I’m so glad! And you bet – will add you now 🙂
Hallelujah! I have finally found a way to prepare salmon at home. I used maple syrup instead of honey, and I faithfully followed the recipe. It turned out sensational.
Amazing! Glad you enjoyed 🙂
This was VERY good and the recipe worked great! yet my kids did not like the lemon flavor or the Dijon, so next time I’ll try the maple syrup and less lemon. Could onion be incorporated somehow?
Can you please identify what side is in the image? It never states and I have been trying to figure it out. Is looks like pesto rotini?
Glad you enjoyed! Try my maple glazed salmon for a different flavor, too 🙂 And feel free to cook some onion in a skillet on the side! It’s a simple pesto pasta 🙂
Made this last night, it was so easy to whip up the marinade and my whole family loved it, even my 6 year old!
Made tonight with your Balsamic Herb Roasted Vegetables on the side and this is the best salmon! My husband is not a fan of a lot of lemon, and this was the perfect balance. We love your maple glazed salmon too, so now we have another great recipe to switch it up with when we want salmon. thanks for another winner!
Love that! sounds like the perfect dinner 🙂 Glad you both enjoyed!
Tried this today, during the snowstorm !, & followed exactly. I used organic raw honey (clover – it’s what I have) & my fish had a black ring around it on the foil from burnt honey. Did this happen to anyone else ?
The link to the honey you posted on Amazon says it’s not avail & don’t know when it will be back.
Any suggestions as to what went wrong or another brand of honey to use ?
Thank you !
honey can burn at high temperatures, which is why it’s best to use parchment paper and also make sure you don’t have too much excess marinade around the sides of the fish!
Made this tonight and it was a huge hit with kids and husband. So simple too!
i make a salmon dinner every sunday and this was a welcomed change of flavours with salmon – yum! i used maple syrup instead of honey and everyone loved it.
Perfect!!
Love this salmon recipe! Made it a few weeks ago and it’s on the menu again for this week. Simple and so flavorful.
Can this be marinated ahead of time and popped in the oven? Want to make for a dinner party.
Yes, absolutely!
Did the maple substitution so baby could have it too- so good! Such a simple recipe with such amazing results.
Perfect! Glad you both enjoyed 🙂
I made this tonight and really liked it a lot. It was easy to make and gave a nice flavor to the salmon. This is a keeper for me!
I’m so glad! Perfect dinner.
So so so good. Never tried making salmon filet in oven, usually on stove top. What a game changer!! So easy. So flavorful. Juicy. The whole bit. I didn’t mix the ingredients prior, simply layered them as I went. Seasoning, (I added little salt), butter, Dijon, honey. Topped off with lemon slices (excluded the zest to simplify). 16 minutes and done. Dinner is served!
Truly a game changer! Glad you enjoyed!
These recipes give me a whole new way of living because now I have a whole new way of eating. Thanks Ambitious Kitchen.
I’m so happy to hear that, Kate! I hope you keep finding recipes here that you love 🙂
super easy/quick and yummy!
One of our favs!
A household favorite!
I’m so glad!
This was an easy, delicious way to make salmon! I’ve been experimenting with salmon marinades, and this is by far my favorite! Super yummy!
So glad you loved it! One of our favs, too 🙂
This salmon is a MUST! Lemon-y, garlic-y and flakey! So yummy- I served it with roasted asparagus and mashed potatoes.
Absolutely! Perfect dinner 🙂
This was so delicious! I made it with Norwegian salmon which is the best type of salmon. For side dish I made garlic roasted potatoes with rosemary and a simple veggie soup. My husband kept repeating how delicious the salmon was during the dinner. Thank you for this great recipe, will definitely remake it soon!
Perfect! Sounds amazing 🙂