Description
A fast, healthy, and stress-free sheet pan dinner featuring flaky salmon coated in a zesty lemon and black pepper butter sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds salmon fillets (wild-caught Alaskan or frozen, thawed)
- 2 large fresh lemons (juice and zest)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1–2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- Pat salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels to ensure caramelization. Remove any pin bones if present. Place fillets on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
- In a small bowl, melt the butter. Whisk in the fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic powder, black pepper, and kosher salt until emulsified.
- Pour the lemon pepper butter mixture evenly over the salmon fillets, ensuring every part is coated. Save any extra mixture for basting.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
- Optional: Halfway through baking, baste the salmon with pan juices. Remove from oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.
- Serve immediately, spooning remaining pan juices over the top. Garnish with fresh parsley or lemon wedges if desired.
Notes
Patting the salmon dry is crucial for texture; wet fish steams instead of roasting. Use freshly cracked pepper for best flavor. Avoid the white pith of the lemon as it is bitter. Salmon continues to cook after removal from the oven, so pull it when just barely opaque in the center.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet per serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 380
- Fat: 19
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Protein: 34
Keywords: baked salmon, lemon pepper salmon, sheet pan dinner, weeknight dinner, healthy seafood, quick recipes, gluten-free, keto-friendly