Name: Garlic-Herb Baked Salmon in Foil
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 4 salmon fillets (- about 4 ounces each); 2 tablespoons butter (melted); 1 lemon (zested & juiced (more for garnish)); 4-5 garlic cloves (minced); 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 2 tablespoons fresh parsley* (chopped)

Recipe

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A simple recipe for baked salmon in foil that yields perfectly tender, flaky salmon coated with delicious garlic-herb sauce.

This baked salmon has become one of my go-to recipes since it takes less than 20 minutes, yields fish that practically melts in your mouth, and requires minimal cleanup by lining the pan with foil. #winwin

Foil Baked Salmon

The method of wrapping salmon with foil traps steam and helps the fish cook quickly while retaining moisture and all those flavors.

This isn’t any foiled baked salmon recipe, but tender-flaky salmon topped with a buttery garlic and herb sauce. It’s simple, delicious, and a healthier way to cook salmon- yes, even with the butter sauce.

Health Benefits of Baked Salmon

Baking salmon is a healthy way of cooking this protein-rich seafood. It is also known for its high content of healthy omega-3s, vitamins, and protein. Omega-3 fatty acids are shown to help lower blood pressure and reduce inflammation.

Below is a breakdown of the health benefits of 3.5 ounces (1 serving) baked salmon:

Calories: 180
Protein: 25 grams
Fat: 8 grams- 2.3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids.
Vitamin B12: 127%
Vitamin B6: 56%
Selenium: 85%
Niacin: 63%

That’s a lot of essential vitamins and macronutrients in one serving. Not bad for a delicious piece of fish that will make any meal epic! Read more about the healthy fats for women here.

Garlic Herb Salmon Ingredients

The ingredients for garlic herb salmon are simple and ones you most likely have in your pantry and fridge at all times. You’ll find the amounts in the printable recipe card below, but first, check out what you’ll need:

Salmon fillets: fresh or frozen both make great baked salmon.
Butter: melted and mixed with seasonings for a delicious sauce over the salmon.
Fresh lemon: lemon zest adds bright and zippy flavors.
Garlic cloves: what’s a lemon butter sauce without fresh garlic?
Salt & pepper: enhances the flavors of the salmon.
Fresh parsley: finely chopped and mixed with the garlic-butter sauce.

garlic-herb sauce in a bowl with raw salmon in foil

How to Bake Salmon in Foil

Another reason to love this foil-baked salmon recipe is how quickly it can be assembled and ready to eat. While it cooks you have enough time to assemble a side salad and call it a meal. Here’s how to bake salmon in foil perfectly each time:

Prep
Preheat the oven to 400F and place a large sheet of aluminum foil onto a baking sheet. Place the salmon fillets into the center of the foil.
Make the sauce
Whisk the melted butter, lemon zest and juice, garlic, and seasonings in a large bowl. Top the salmon fillets with the butter sauce and fold the foil to create a packet.
Bake
Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the salmon is flaky and soft. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

How easy was that? Check out this quick recipe video with extra tips for baking salmon in foil perfectly every time:

Oven-Baked Salmon With Skin On or Off?

You can bake salmon with the skin on or off. If your salmon is skinless, bake it as is, always lining the pan or wrapping it in foil to retain the moisture. If your salmon fillets have the skin on, keep it and bake the salmon with the skin side down (closest to the pan) which provides a barrier between the heat and the salmon and makes it moist. After it’s cooked, the salmon meat practically separates itself from the skin as you pick up the flaky pieces with your fork.

What Temperature to Bake Salmon in Foil

The best temperature to bake salmon is 400F for 4-6 ounce fillets and 375F for a whole salmon fillet (that’s half the salmon in one pice).

It really depends on the size of your fillet since smaller portions can cook quickly at a higher temperature, while larger fillets cook better at a lower temperature for a little longer.

How Long to Bake Salmon in Foil

By rule of thumb, individual salmon fillet pieces bake at 400F for 12-15 minutes, while an entire fillet half will need to bake at 375F for 15-20 minutes.

However, the best way to bake your salmon without it drying out is to cook it according to internal temperature. According to the FDA, salmon should be cooked to 145F, however, most people find the meat to be too dry at this point. Instead, many culinary sources and kitchen cooks, including myself, recommend an internal temperature of 130F.

What Else You Can Bake in Foil with Salmon

Other than seasoning your salmon pieces with herbs or sauces, you can include a variety of vegetables inside the foil packed which will cook at the same time as the fish.

Trimmed asparagus
Cherry tomatoes
Kalamata or green olives
Bell peppers, sliced thin
Thinly sliced onions
Zucchini and squash slices
French green beans
Finely chopped cabbage
Frozen mixed vegetables

How to Know when Foil-Baked Salmon is Done

An easy way to know if the salmon is done is by pressing the thickest part of the fillet with a fork. If it separates easily into a flaky piece and there is no visual raw-looking middle, the fish is done and should be removed from the oven immediately.

The most accurate way to know foil baked salmon is done is to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer and remove it from the oven at around 130F.

Leftover Foil Baked Salmon

Leftover salmon can be reheated and enjoyed the next day and up to 2 days after you’ve cooked it. To store it, place the cooked and cooled fillets into an airtight container and refrigerate.

There are a couple of ways to reheat salmon without drying it out: in the microwave or oven.

To microwave leftover salmon, place it in a microwave-safe dish and add enough water to just cover the surface of the dish. Cover the dish with plastic wrap or a damp paper towel. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, or until the fillet is just warmed through.

If you’d like to reheat salmon in the oven, preheat the oven to 275F. Wrap the fillets with foil and place them onto a baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until just warmed through.

Now it’s ready to be enjoyed again over cooked grains like Cilantro Lime Rice or in this Salmon Nicoise Salad. Here are more tasty side dishes to enjoy with baked salmon.

Garlic-Herb Baked Salmon in Foil

Servings: 4

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 15

Total Time: 20

A simple recipe for baked salmon in foil that yields perfectly tender, flaky salmon coated with delicious garlic-herb sauce.

5 from 57 votes

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Watch how it’s made:

Ingredients

4 salmon fillets, – about 4 ounces each
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 lemon, zested & juiced (more for garnish)
4-5 garlic cloves, minced
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons fresh parsley*, chopped

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400F (200C). Place a sheet of aluminum foil on the baking sheet. Place the salmon fillets in the middle of the baking sheet.
In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter, lemon zest and juice, garlic cloves, salt, pepper, and parsley.
Spread mixture over the tops of the salmon. Close foil into itself to create a packet and bake, in the preheated oven, for 12-15 minutes (time will vary based on the thickness of your salmon).
Remove from the oven, and poke with a fork to check for soft, flaky, salmon.
Serve with lemon wedges.