Garlic Butter Salmon is a rich, flavorful dish that’s simple to prepare. The buttery garlic sauce pairs beautifully with the tender salmon fillets, giving a melt-in-your-mouth experience. With just a few basic ingredients, this dish can easily be made on a busy weeknight or served at a dinner party.

Ingredients:
4 salmon fillets (6 oz each)
4 tablespoons butter, melted
4 cloves garlic, minced
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Lemon slices for garnish

“Food is symbolic of love when words are inadequate.” — Alan D. Wolfelt

Instructions:
Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with oil.

Prepare the Salmon:

Place the salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle each fillet with melted butter and season with salt and pepper. Squeeze lemon juice over the fillets and add lemon zest.

Make the Garlic Butter Sauce:

In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not burnt. Remove from heat and stir in a little more lemon juice if desired.

Bake the Salmon:

Pour the garlic butter sauce evenly over the salmon fillets. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork.

Serve:

Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately with your favorite side dishes, like roasted vegetables, quinoa, or a green salad.

Nutritional Information (per serving):
Calories: 320
Protein: 24g
Carbohydrates: 2g
Fat: 24g
Fiber: 0g
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 450mg

Tips for Perfect Garlic Butter Salmon:

1. Choose the Right Salmon: Wild-caught salmon is often preferred for its better flavor and texture, but farmed salmon works just as well for this recipe.
2. Don’t Overcook the Salmon: Overcooking salmon can make it dry. A good rule of thumb is to cook the salmon until it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C), or when it flakes easily with a fork.
3. Use Fresh Garlic: Fresh garlic will give the butter sauce a more intense flavor. If you must use jarred minced garlic, reduce the quantity slightly to avoid overpowering the dish.
4. Add Vegetables to the Skillet: If you’re making this dish as a one-pan meal, add some vegetables (like asparagus, zucchini, or spinach) to the skillet when you’re cooking the garlic butter sauce to make the meal more complete.

This Garlic Butter Salmon recipe is an easy-to-make, flavorful dish that’s sure to become a family favorite. The garlic butter sauce adds richness and depth to the salmon, making it a standout dish for any dinner occasion.