Honey Garlic Butter Baked Salmon – The Ultimate Weeknight Dinner

Honey Garlic Butter Baked Salmon – Sweet, Savory, and Absolutely Satisfying 🐟🍯🍋

This Honey Garlic Butter Baked Salmon recipe strikes the perfect balance between sweet and savory, delivering juicy, flaky fish in just under 30 minutes. It’s your new go-to for effortless elegance—whether you’re feeding the family or serving up something special on a busy weeknight.


Why I Love This Recipe

Salmon is one of those proteins that feels fancy but cooks fast. With a handful of pantry staples—honey, garlic, butter—you can transform basic salmon fillets into a mouthwatering dish that rivals any restaurant entree. It’s got a similar weeknight appeal to our Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole and the convenience of Sheet Pan Quesadillas, but with a more refined, wholesome finish.


Ingredients

  • 4 boneless salmon fillets
  • 2 Tbsp butter, melted
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 Tbsp honey
  • ½ tsp dried parsley (or 2 tsp fresh, chopped)
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper
  • Pinch of paprika
  • 1 lemon, sliced

Instructions

1. Prep Your Oven and Tray

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking tray with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.

2. Place the Salmon

Arrange the salmon fillets skin-side down on the prepared tray. Make sure there’s space between each piece for even cooking.

3. Mix the Glaze

In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, minced garlic, honey, parsley, salt, pepper, and paprika. This buttery-sweet glaze is the key to that irresistible flavor.

4. Drizzle and Arrange

Pour the honey garlic glaze evenly over the salmon. Tuck lemon slices around and on top of each fillet for a fresh citrus burst.

5. Bake to Perfection

Bake the salmon for 10 minutes. Then, spoon the sauce from the tray over each fillet (this is your basting moment!).

Return to the oven and bake for another 7 minutes until the fish flakes easily with a fork.


Tips for Success

  • Fresh lemon slices add brightness and help cut the richness of the butter.
  • Don’t overcook! Salmon continues to cook slightly after you remove it from the oven, so watch closely near the end.
  • Use foil for easy clean-up and to prevent sticking.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

Serve your honey garlic butter salmon with steamed rice, roasted potatoes, or seasonal veggies like asparagus or green beans. Here are some pairing ideas from the ChefManiac kitchen:


Storage & Leftovers

  • Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat: Gently warm in the oven at 300°F or microwave in short bursts.
  • Repurpose: Flake leftover salmon into salads, pasta, or wraps.

Final Thoughts

This Honey Garlic Butter Baked Salmon recipe is a flavor-forward way to get a wholesome, beautiful dinner on the table with minimal effort. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or keeping it simple, it’s sure to become a staple in your kitchen.

Give it a try and let us know how it turns out! And if you’re looking for more fast, family-friendly meals, check out the recipes linked above and don’t forget to follow ChefManiac for more inspired ideas.