Garlic Herb Roasted Salmon

4.58 from 64 votes
Recipe IndexJump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my privacy policy.

Garlic herb roasted salmon is packed with buttery flavor, fresh herbs, and a hint of zesty lemon. In just 20 minutes, you can have a tasty and healthy dinner ready, perfect for busy weeknights.

Garlic herb roasted salmon served with lemon wedges.
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email below & we’ll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Easy Garlic Herb Salmon Recipe

Salmon is not only healthy but also packed with nutrition. This garlic herb roasted salmon is one of the best salmon recipes ever, second only to my favorite Honey Garlic Salmon.

We all know that salmon is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and is an excellent source for a child’s cognitive development. I’m thrilled that little G loves salmon; in fact, he often asks for it whenever he craves fish.

A few days ago, he requested salmon with his favorite Garlic Noodles, so I made this garlic and herb roasted salmon for him.

This recipe is as simple as it sounds: garlic, herbs (I used Italian parsley), and salmon roasted in the oven. It’s a fantastic Fall and Winter recipe, and definitely one of the easiest salmon dishes I’ve ever made.

It’s incredibly easy and fuss-free—I didn’t even have to marinate the salmon! When you have fresh salmon, you really don’t need many seasonings or ingredients; just let the natural flavors shine.

All you need is a little butter, some herbs, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice. Dinner is ready in about 20 minutes, and that means more brain power for the little ones!


Why This Recipe Works

Roasted salmon with garlic herb butter.
  • Minimal ingredients. You only need a few simple ingredients like butter, garlic, parsley, and lemon juice to whip up a flavorful meal—no complicated steps or long lists of seasonings required!
  • Quick and easy. Ready in just 2 simple steps and in just 20 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, allowing you to serve a tasty and healthy dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.
  • Fuss-free cooking. The garlic and herb salmon recipe is super straightforward and doesn’t need any marinating, making it perfect for beginners!
  • Versatile pairing. This salmon dish pairs really well with all sorts of sides, like Ginger Soy Soba or roasted veggies (such as Garlic Roasted Asparagus and Honey Balsamic Carrots)

Ingredients

Ingredients for garlic herb roasted salmon.
  • Salmon fillet – The star of the dish, not only packed with nutrients, also goes perfectly with herbs and spices.
  • Butter – Butter keeps the fish moist while roasting.
  • Garlic – A must for the garlic herb mixture!
  • Fresh Italian parsley – Dried Italian parsley won’t cut it—fresh ones add a bright, mild flavor that perfectly balances the buttery richness of the salmon.
  • Ground black pepper
  • Salt
  • Lemon juice – Cuts through the richness of the butter and tones down the “fishy” salmon taste.
  • Cayenne pepper – I love a touch of heat on the salmon.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients.


How To Make Garlic Herb Roasted Salmon

Combine the melted butter, garlic, parsley, salt, cayenne pepper, lemon juice, and black pepper in a small bowl.

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F (207°C). Combine the melted butter, garlic, parsley, salt, cayenne pepper (if using), lemon juice, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.

Place the salmon fillets on the baking sheet and spoon the garlic herb mixture on top.

Step 2: Arrange the salmon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spoon the garlic herb mixture onto the salmon, coating the top and sides well. Bake for 12 minutes, then dish out and serve immediately with lemon wedges.


Helpful Tips

  • Let the salmon sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before cooking. This helps it cook evenly.
  • Fresh minced garlic is the way to go for this recipe! It gives a much stronger flavor compared to pre-minced or powdered garlic.
  • Make sure to melt the butter first before mixing it with the garlic and herbs. It really helps all those flavors blend together nicely!
  • Keep an eye on the salmon as it cooks. It’s done when it flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don’t have Italian parsley?

No worries! You can use other fresh herbs like English parsley (which is a lot cheaper!), or fresh Italian basil. Each one brings its own unique flavor to the dish!

Can I make the garlic herb mixture in advance?

You can make the garlic herb mixture ahead of time and pop it in the fridge for a day. Just give it a quick stir before you use it!

Can I make this recipe in an air fryer?

Yes. Preheat your air fryer to around 400°F (200°C) and cook the salmon for 7-10 minutes. Make sure to check on it to see if it’s done.

Can I add other veggies to the baking sheet?

Absolutely! You can throw in some asparagus, broccoli, or cherry tomatoes with the salmon for a well-rounded meal.

How many calories per serving?

This recipe is only 236 calories per serving.

Flaky garlic and herb salmon recipe being torn apart with a fork.

What To Serve With This Recipe

For a wholesome meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.

I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please leave a comment and consider giving it a 5-star rating. For more easy and delicious recipes, explore my Recipe Index, and stay updated by subscribing to my newsletter and following me on FacebookPinterest, and Instagram for new updates.


Other Recipes You Might Like

Freshly baked cod fillet with seasonings crust on a plate, garnished with lemon slices and herbs.
5 Secrets to 20-Minute Dinners
FREE EMAIL BONUS: How would it feel to have dinner DONE in 20 minutes? I’ll show you how!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
4.58 from 64 votes

Garlic Herb Roasted Salmon

Garlic herb roasted salmon is packed with buttery flavor, fresh herbs, and a hint of zesty lemon. In just 20 minutes, you can have a tasty and healthy dinner ready, perfect for busy weeknights.
Prep Time: 8 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 3 people
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email below & we’ll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Ingredients  

  • 12 oz (350g) salmon fillet, cut into two pieces
  • 2 tablespoon butter, melted
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh Italian parsley leaves, chopped
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper, optional
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 3 dashes ground black pepper
  • lemon wedges

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F (207°C). Combine the melted butter, garlic, parsley, salt, cayenne pepper (if using), lemon juice, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.
  • Arrange the salmon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spoon the garlic herb mixture onto the salmon, coating the top and sides well. Bake for 12 minutes, then dish out and serve immediately with lemon wedges.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 3people, Calories: 236kcal, Carbohydrates: 2g, Protein: 23g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.3g, Cholesterol: 82mg, Sodium: 208mg, Potassium: 593mg, Fiber: 0.4g, Sugar: 0.1g, Vitamin A: 411IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 28mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Please rate and comment below!

About Rasa Malaysia

Bee is a recipe developer and best-selling cookbook author, sharing easy, quick, and delicious Asian and American recipes since 2006. With a strong following of almost 2 million fans online, her expertise has been featured in major publications, TV and radio programs, and live cooking demos throughout the United States and Asia.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating





42 Comments

  1. Laura-Leigh says:

    Loved it. Thanks for sharing