Description
This One-Pan Creamy Lemon Caper Butter Salmon recipe offers a quick and elegant dinner solution featuring tender baked salmon fillets topped with a luscious, tangy lemon caper butter cream sauce. Ready in just 25 minutes, it combines fresh flavors and simple cooking techniques to create a deliciously satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon
- 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or lightly greasing it with olive oil to prevent the salmon from sticking during baking.
- Prepare the Salmon. Place the salmon fillets evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle each fillet with olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste to enhance flavor.
- Bake the Salmon. Bake the salmon in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily when tested with a fork, signaling it’s perfectly tender.
- Make the Creamy Lemon Caper Butter Sauce. While the salmon bakes, melt unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for approximately 1 minute, until fragrant but not browned.
- Add Flavorings to the Sauce. Stir in the capers, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest; cook this mixture for an additional minute to blend flavors well. Then pour in the heavy cream and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring continuously until it thickens slightly, about 2-3 minutes.
- Finish the Sauce and Set Aside. Remove the saucepan from heat to prevent over-thickening and set the sauce aside while the salmon finishes baking.
- Plate and Garnish. When the salmon is done, remove it from the oven and drizzle each fillet generously with the creamy lemon caper butter sauce. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant, fresh finish.
- Serve. Serve immediately with your choice of side dishes such as roasted vegetables or a serving of rice to complete the meal.
Notes
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but the consistency will be less rich.
- Ensure the salmon is not overcooked to maintain moistness and tenderness.
- For a more intense lemon flavor, add an extra 1/2 teaspoon of lemon zest.
- The sauce can be prepared slightly ahead and gently reheated before serving.
- Use fresh parsley for garnish to add color and a subtle herbal note.
