There's nothing quite like the zest of this lemon pepper salmon to brighten up any busy weeknight. This easy recipe is not only quick to prepare but brings together the buttery richness of salmon with the crisp, invigorating tang of fresh lemon and garlic. Just a few simple ingredients, and you've got yourself a meal that's sure to impress.
Simplicity often leads to the most delightful flavors, and this lemon pepper salmon is a testament to that! With minimal prep and a cooking time that barely touches 15 minutes, this dish is the epitome of weeknight convenience. Plus, we love that it's naturally gluten free and dairy free.
The sharp zest of lemon juice melds beautifully with the aromatic garlic, providing a perfect counterbalance to the baked salmon's indulgent texture. A sprinkle of fresh herbs or a dash of red pepper flakes can add an extra pop of flavor that turns this meal from everyday to extraordinary.
So, as you're thinking about nutritious meals to make dinnertime a little easier, remember this foolproof recipe for baked lemon pepper salmon. Serve it atop a bed of brown rice and veggies (try tossing some asparagus into the mix for an effortless sheet pan dinner) or over a crisp salad, and don't forget those extra lemon wedges for a final zesty touch!
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Ingredient Notes
- Olive Oil - I used olive oil to grease my sheet pan, but you could substitute nonstick spray or more butter if that's what you have on hand.
- Salmon Filets - I love buying skinless salmon fillets - they're so easy! If you have skin-on salmon, just bake it with skin side down on the baking sheet, and it should slide off the salmon skin easily once fully cooked.
- Lemon - Use fresh lemon juice for this recipe. Lemon is the star of the show, and fresh lemon juice has a brighter flavor than bottled lemon juice. Plus you'll want a few slices of fresh lemon to garnish the finished dish.
- Garlic - I like using freshly minced garlic for a stronger garlic flavor. However, you can also substitute ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder if you have that one hand.
- Seasoning - I used a blend of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper for my salmon. If you prefer, you can substitute 1-2 teaspoons of lemon pepper seasoning for the salt, pepper and garlic. Depending on the brand, you may need to add more salt to taste after cooking, as different brands of seasoning will have different salt content. Sprinkle some red pepper flakes over the top of your filet if you like a little extra heat!
See recipe card for full ingredient list and quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- Not Dairy Free: use dairy butter in place of vegan butter in the same measure.
- Herb Lemon Pepper Salmon: Add a mix of finely chopped herbs such as dill, thyme, or rosemary along with the parsley. This will give an aromatic touch to the fish.
- Spicy Lemon Pepper Salmon: Introduce a bit of heat by sprinkling red chili flakes over the salmon before baking, or mix a little cayenne pepper into the lemon juice marinade.
- Creamy Lemon Pepper Salmon: After the salmon is cooked, you could whip up a quick creamy sauce by adding a splash of cream to the pan juices, heating it briefly with some capers and additional lemon juice for an extra tangy flavor.
- Honey Lemon Pepper Salmon: For a sweet and tangy variant, mix a tablespoon of honey with the lemon juice before pouring it over the salmon. This creates a lovely glaze as it cooks.
- Mustard Lemon Pepper Salmon: Brush the salmon with a thin layer of Dijon mustard before seasoning. It adds a nice piquant flavor that complements the lemon beautifully.
How to Make Baked Lemon Pepper Salmon
This easy dinner recipe is made all on one pan in the oven in about 15 minutes, which makes it the perfect weeknight meal. Line your baking dish with parchment paper or aluminum foil to make cleanup a breeze.
- STEP 1: Drizzle the olive oil on a large sheet pan and set aside.
- STEP 2: Pat the salmon filets dry with a paper towel, and season the top side with salt and pepper.
- STEP 3: Place salmon fillets in a single layer on the prepared sheet pan. Squeeze the juice from one lemon over the top of the salmon.
- STEP 4: Sprinkle the minced garlic over the salmon, and place a ½ tablespoon pat of butter on top of each filet.
- STEP 5: Top each filet with 1-2 lemon slices.
- STEP 6: Bake the salmon until fully cooked through. Drizzle the lemon butter sauce from the pan over the salmon and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Baking Tip
The salmon is cooked through when it flakes easily with a fork, and an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the salmon filet registers an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
Storage
Store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Reheat the salmon slowly on 50% power in the microwave to avoid overcooking it. Or serve the salmon cold over a salad.
What to Serve with Lemon Pepper Salmon
- Asparagus would make a lovely addition to this salmon dinner and you can easily throw some on the same pan and bake them together to save time (and dishes).
- Roasted or sauteed vegetables would be lovely served alongside this lemon pepper salmon. We love to serve it with green beans, but you could try something like these air fryer Hasselback potatoes or even this savory vegetable galette.
- Rice or gluten free pasta are always a great side choice.
- This salmon is also wonderful served alongside a salad or even as a topping to add a little more protein to your favorite salad.
Other gluten free dinner recipes to consider:
If you try this recipe, please leave a 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 star rating and let me know how you liked it in the comments below.
Recipe
Baked Lemon Pepper Salmon
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 ½ pound Salmon Filets four 6-ounce filets
- ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice from 1 lemon
- 1 Lemon cut into thin slices
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 2 Tablespoons Vegan Butter
- Parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Drizzle the olive oil on a large sheet pan and set aside.1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- Pat the salmon filets dry, and season the top side with salt and pepper.1 ½ pound Salmon Filets, ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt, ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- Place the salmon fillets on the prepared sheet pan. Squeeze the juice from one lemon over the top of the salmon.2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
- Sprinkle the garlic over the salmon, and place a ½ tablespoon pat of butter on top of each filet.2 cloves Garlic, 2 Tablespoons Vegan Butter
- Top each filet with 1-2 slices of fresh lemon.1 Lemon
- Bake the salmon on the middle rack in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, until fully cooked through. Drizzle the lemon butter sauce from the pan over the salmon and garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired. Serve immediately.Parsley
Notes
Tiffany is the recipe developer, stylist and food photographer behind Well Fed Baker. As a lifelong baker who had to go gluten free and dairy free in 2016, Tiffany strives to share allergen friendly recipes that never feel like they are free from anything.
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