Description
Succulent lemon herb butter salmon bake delivers Mediterranean coastal flavors with elegant simplicity. Delicate salmon fillets emerge infused with zesty herbs, promising a light yet satisfying meal for discerning palates.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 salmon filets (6 oz / 170 g each)
- 4 tbsps unsalted butter, melted
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh or dried dill
- 1 lemon
- 2 cups asparagus spears, trimmed
- 2 cups vegetables of choice
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Position rack in center and preheat to 400°F, creating optimal roasting conditions for salmon.
- Baking Surface Setup: Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and simplify cleanup.
- Flavor Preparation: Grate lemon zest and slice remaining lemon into rounds while crafting an aromatic herb butter by whisking melted butter, crushed garlic, lemon zest, and chopped dill.
- Salmon Seasoning: Arrange salmon fillets on prepared baking sheet, generously season with salt and black pepper, then lavishly coat with herbed butter mixture.
- Vegetable Integration: Strategically place lemon rounds atop salmon and distribute asparagus around the fillets, drizzling remaining herb butter and adding a final sprinkle of seasoning.
- Roasting Process: Bake in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, monitoring until salmon turns opaque and flakes easily when gently tested with a fork, ensuring perfectly cooked, moisture-rich fish.
Notes
- Optimize Salmon Freshness: Select fresh, high-quality salmon fillets with firm, vibrant flesh and minimal fishy odor for the best taste and texture.
- Master Butter Coating Technique: Brush herb butter evenly, ensuring complete salmon coverage for maximum flavor infusion and moisture retention.
- Control Cooking Precision: Watch salmon closely during roasting; overcooking leads to dry, tough fish. Remove when center is slightly translucent for perfect tenderness.
- Enhance Herb Butter Depth: Allow herb butter to sit for 10-15 minutes before applying to salmon, letting flavors meld and intensify for a more complex taste profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg