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Garlic Butter Baked Salmon in Foil is a quick and easy dinner recipe made with broccoli and cauliflower. It’s done in about 20 minutes and it tastes awesome!
There’s something magical about making a “packet dinner,” and salmon baking in a foil packet is no exception. The fish comes out moist and tender, the vegetables are steamed inside until they are tender crisp, and the simple garlic butter on top melts right into everything, making one delicious meal in a matter of minutes.
If you’re in the mood for salmon, I have a few other recipes up my sleeve. Check out my Grilled Salmon Foil Packs with Veggies, Simple Homemade Salmon Patties or Easy Grilled Salmon Recipe.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- You can bake or grill them, making it really convenient any time of the year.
- Ready in just 20 minutes, perfect for a busy weeknight.
- Healthy and flavorful, packed with omega-3-rich salmon, fresh veggies, and zesty garlic butter.
- The foil packet method makes for easy cleanup and mess-free cooking.
Recipe Ingredients
- Butter – Or olive oil
- Garlic Cloves
- Lemons
- Salmon fillets – With or without skin
- Broccoli florets
- Cauliflower florets
- Fresh Herbs – Such as parsley, oregano, and basil (optional)
- Spices – Salt and pepper
- Aluminum foil
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Garlic Butter Baked Salmon in Foil
Step #1. Microwave butter, garlic, and herbs for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step #2. Assemble the foil packets: Place lemon slices on foil, add salmon, broccoli, and cauliflower, and drizzle with the garlic butter.
Step #3. Fold the foil tightly around the salmon and vegetables and bake at 400°F for 10-12 minutes.
Step #4. Open the packets carefully and serve with lemon wedges.
Recipe FAQs
The fresh lemon is a must – don’t skip it! The citric acid from lemons help neutralize any smell the fish may have and it also enhances the flavor. You need 2 lemons: one to slice and bake with the fish and a second to cut into wedges for serving.
You can use just about any fresh herbs that you might have on hand. I use parsley, oregano, and basil most often (a combination of all three is great).
I just got this mini utensil set and love them! The little brush is just the right size for the butter in this recipe. We use the little spoons/scrapers/spatulas to get the last of the yogurt/applesauce/ketchup out of the bottom. They’d make a great gift or stocking stuffer. 🙂
Quick dinner tip: if your fish fillets are frozen individually, you can easily thaw them in a bowl of warm water in about 30 minutes.
This is really great served with some seasonal fruit and a load of my favorite no knead crusty bread or Santa Fe Rice. Both are great options.
Expert Tips
- Choose skin-on salmon if grilling, skin-on fillets are less likely to stick to the foil.
- Salmon cooks quickly, so check for doneness at 10 minutes.
- Use fresh herbs for the best flavor; parsley, basil, or dill all pair wonderfully with salmon.
- You can also grill these salmon packets over medium to medium-high heat for 12 to 15 minutes until the fish is cooked through – a great option to keep the oven off in the summer.
How to Serve and Store Garlic Butter Baked Salmon
A side of grains such as quinoa or rice will soak up the garlic butter sauce. Crispy, oven-roasted potatoes pair well with the buttery salmon. A fresh arugula salad with a light vinaigrette balances the richness of the salmon and toasty garlic bread adds a crunchy contrast. A lemon curd is a perfect zesty dessert!
Leftover salmon can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Warm the leftovers in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes, or in a microwave at a low setting to avoid overcooking. To freeze, tightly wrap in foil or place in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Avoid freezing cooked vegetables, as they may become mushy.
More Seafood Recipes to Consider
Seafood Recipes
Tuna Patties Recipe
Seafood Recipes
Simple Shrimp Fajitas
Seafood Recipes
Baja Fish Tacos
Seafood Recipes
Butterfly Shrimp
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Garlic Butter Baked Salmon in Foil
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter or olive oil
- 1-2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1-2 tablespoon fresh herbs, optional
- 8 lemon slices
- 4 salmon fillets, 4 to 6 ounces each (with or without skin)
- 2 cups bite-size broccoli florets
- 2 cups bite-size cauliflower florets
- Salt and pepper
- Aluminum foil
- lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, microwave the butter, garlic, and herbs until the butter is melted and the garlic fragrant, about 30 seconds. (This can also be done on the stove-top)
- Tear off 8 sheets of foil about 12 -14 inches long. Double up the foil by stacking two pieces on top of each other so you are working with 4 sets of foil – 2 pieces each. Brush a bit of the butter mixture in the center of each set of foil and place two slices of lemon on top of the butter.
- Evenly distribute the salmon fillets, broccoli, and cauliflower between each of the foil packets. Brush the additional butter over the vegetables and fish. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Draw two opposite ends of the foil up and fold it over and then fold each end (you want to seal the food inside, making a packet).
- Place foil packets on a baking sheet and bake in a 400 degree oven for 10-12 minutes until the fish is cooked through. Remove from the oven when fish is cooked through.
- Carefully open the foil packets and enjoy while still hot. Serve with additional lemon slices.
Notes
- You can use just about any fresh herbs that you might have on hand. I use parsley, oregano, and basil most often (a combination of all three is great).
- You can also grill these salmon packets over medium to medium-high heat for 12 to 15 minutes until the fish is cooked through – a great option to keep the oven off in the summer.
- Choose skin-on salmon if grilling, skin-on fillets are less likely to stick to the foil.
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These look amazing! I’ve a question for you. Do you completely cover the salmon with the foil or leave the top open? Thank you 🙂
Cover completely, you’ll make a sealed packet out of the foil!
Love healthy & quick recipes like this!! Perfect for busy weeknights 🙂
This is such a satisfying and easy weekday dinner! Love simple meals like this!
Foil packets are the best solution for weeknight meals! Love, love, love them!
Love how quick and simple this is! And it sounds amazing.