Baked Honey Lime Garlic Butter Salmon recipe is a perfect sweet, tangy and savory sauce that will bring out the salmon’s natural flavors. The honey and lime add a different kind of depth to the dish, and the garlic butter sauce gives each fillet aromatic notes.
For a full meal, serve this with roasted asparagus, steamed rice, or a crunchy salad on the side. The lime wedges provide a bright pop, key for a person who likes an extra touch of citrus in every bite. Savor this simple, tasty, and colorful salmon dish!
Why You’re Going to Love This Baked Salmon Recipe:
Few Ingredients: With just a few pantry staples, this recipe packs an astonishing flavor profile with no fuss.
Quick and Easy: Under 30 minutes to make, this salmon is great on a weeknight, but fancy enough to serve for a special occasion.
Balanced Taste: Each bite is both sweet and tangy with a touch of garlic butter – the balance of all three flavors is unmatched!
Nutritious: Loaded with protein and omega-3 fatty acids; good for heart and brain health. With simple, wholesome ingredients, this recipe keeps those health benefits intact.
Let’s get into the ingredients and how-to that make this dish a winner!
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Key Ingredients:
Here’s a closer look at the ingredients, along with some tips and potential substitutions for making the most of this delicious recipe.
Salmon Fillets: Look for fresh, center-cut fillets for an even cook. Wild-caught salmon has a stronger flavor, while farm-raised is generally milder. For your best results, look for fillets that are around 1 inch thick.
Butter: Unsalted butter is best so you can regulate the saltiness. If using salted butter, use less or no additional salt.
Garlic: Fresh-minced garlic offers aromatic, savory depth to the sauce. Adjust the amount to your liking.
Honey: Honey brings a natural sweetness that balances the tang of the lime. If you’d rather use another sweetener, maple syrup works nicely.
Fresh Lime Juice and Zest: The lime juice offers an acidic tanginess that contrasts the butter and honey; the zest gives fragrant, fresh notes. Zest intensifies the lime flavor, so don’t omit it!
Fresh Parsley: The parsley adds a little color, as well as some freshness. You might instead try cilantro, for a sharper, more herbaceous note.
Lime Wedges: Since lime juice is used to taste, serving with the wedges gives people the option of adding more lime juice for flavor.
Full ingredient list with amounts and how to instructions is in the recipe card below
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
If using fresh spinach, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C!). To prevent sticking and for easy cleanup, line a baking sheet with foil or parchment.
Step 2: Season the Salmon
Pat the salmon fish fillets dry with paper towels to help seasonings adhere and to get a good sear.
Season both sides of each fillet with salt and pepper, to taste.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
In a small bowl, combine and whisk:
3 tablespoons melted butter
2 cloves minced garlic
2 tablespoons honey
Juice and zest of 1 lime
Whisk until well combined; the butter provides a rich base and the honey and lime bring sweetness and acidity.
Step 4: Add Flavor
Spoon the honey lime garlic butter sauce evenly over top of each salmon fillet, coating each piece well.
Step 5: Bake
Put the baking tray in an oven at the hot end of 15 to 18 minutes. The salmon is ready when it flakes easily when poked with a fork.
For a more golden, slightly crisped top, broil the fillets for the final 2 to 3 minutes of baking, watching closely to avoid burning.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Take it out of the oven, and sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley on top for a fresh, herbal hit.
Serve hot, with lime wedges on the side, for an extra burst of citrus. Serve up a beautifully balanced dish with this delicious salmon dinner!
Serving Suggestions:
This salmon is flexible and works with a lot of sides. Here are a couple of ideas for turning it into a proper meal:
Rice or quinoa: Fluffy rice or nutty quinoa goes well to soak up the honey lime sauce.
Steamed or Roasted Vegetables: Suggest asparagus, green beans or broccoli — all great side options that bring color and nutrition to the plate.
Mixed Green Salad: a simple salad of arugula, spinach, and cucumbers tossed with a citrus vinaigrette makes for a bright and fresh accompaniment.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Creamy garlic mashed potatoes are a comforting side dish that will fill you up and pair well with the salmon if you want something a little more substantial.
Storage and Reheating Tips:
Got leftovers? Here’s how to store and reheat your baked salmon to ensure it stays flavorful.
Refrigeration: If you have leftover salmon, store it in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing: Salmon freezes beautifully. Put it in a container suitable for the freezer or wrap it tightly in foil and freeze it for up to 2 months. Refrigerate overnight to defrost, then reheat.
Reheating: If you have to reheat the salmon, it’s best to do so gently in a 300°F (150°C) oven, for about 10 minutes, or until warmed through. You could also microwave it on a low setting, but be careful not to overheat it, which can dry it out.
Variations:
Here are a couple of ways to customize this recipe:
Spicy Honey Lime Salmon: Spice up the honey lime garlic butter sauce with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or a splash of sriracha.
Herb-Infused Butter: Trade out the parsley for fresh basil, thyme, or cilantro for a flavor-bending twist to the sauce.
Citrus Swap: Use lemon or orange in place of lime for a different citrusy taste. Lemon matches well with salmon, and orange brings a touch more sweetness.
Maple Lime Salmon: Swap honey for pure maple syrup for a darker, caramel-like sweetness to balance the lime and garlic flavors.
Conclusion:
You will definitely fall in love with this Baked Honey Lime Garlic Butter Salmon! It’s easy enough for a weeknight dinner but sophisticated enough to serve when guests come over. The honey lime garlic butter sauce balances the salmon’s natural richness, along with a zesty sweetness that can be downright irresistible. Between the fresh parsley garnish and wedges of lime, this is as wonderful to look at as to eat.
And whether you’re a seafood person or just hunting for a light, uncomplicated dinner, this one is flavorful and easy. Savor every juicy, delicious bite!
Baked Honey Lime Garlic Butter Salmon
Ingredients
- 4 6-ounce salmon fillets
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 lime zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
- Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides of each fillet with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons melted butter, 2 cloves minced garlic, 2 tablespoons honey, juice and zest of 1 lime until well combined.
- Drizzle the honey lime garlic butter sauce evenly over each salmon fillet, ensuring each piece is well-coated.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork. For a golden top, broil for the last 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley. Serve hot, with lime wedges on the side for an extra citrusy burst.