This simple and healthy Baked Honey Lemon Garlic Salmon in Foil is full of fancy flavors like honey, lemon, and garlic but is a breeze to make and perfect for no-fuss weeknight dinners or even special occasions.
Healthy and delicious can, absolutely, without question, perfectly coexist. How you ask? It all happens in salmon. Or, to be more specific, it happens in this incredible, 7-ingredient baked salmon with a sweet n’ tangy glaze that will blow your mind.
I’ve loved salmon since I was just a kid, but lately it’s been all I can think about when I go to plan dinner for the week. It’s a good thing we live only 15 minutes from Costco and don’t mind frequenting the establishment for one of their amazingly large and tasty salmon fillets just about every weekend.
While I do enjoy salmon with just about any and all preparations (such as this Baked Salmon with Pesto Cream Sauce,) this honey, lemon, and garlic version is one of my all-time favorite salmon recipes. I can’t get enough of that sweet and tangy glaze poured over this tender and flaky baked salmon.
I have found that baking it in foil keeps all of that yummy flavor locked inside so it soaks into the salmon instead of running out all over the pan. This salmon is so easy and so tasty, it will definitely become a go-to meal in your house.
WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE IN BAKED HONEY LEMON SALMON IN FOIL?
- Salmon fillet
- Salt and pepper
- Lemons
- Butter
- Honey
- Minced garlic
- Dried Italian seasoning
- Fresh herbs for garnish (optional)
HOW DO YOU MAKE BAKED HONEY LEMON SALMON IN FOIL?
Are you ready for the easiest instructions for baking salmon ever? Here goes!
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees, then get to work on prepping your salmon filet by lining a sheet pan with nonstick foil and then season the salmon with salt and pepper to taste, laying it right on top of the foil. Add lemon slices under the edges of the salmon and then fold the edges of the foil up around the salmon to make a wall-like container to hold in the juices.
In a small bowl, stir together melted butter, lemon juice, honey, garlic, and the Italian seasoning. Pour this sauce over the top of the salmon, keeping the foil folded up around it. Bake it in the oven for 15 minutes.
When the salmon hits that 15-minute mark take it out of the oven, pull the edges of the foil back to uncover the top of it, and then put it back in the oven to broil for another 5-7 minutes. When it’s done broiling, take it out of the oven and garnish with herbs and black pepper if you like and serve!
WHY USE FOIL FOR BAKING?
Foil is a great tool to use for baking fish and other meals in the oven like chicken and turkey. It helps seal in moisture from baking or grilling, and also serves as a container/lid for steaming, which is what locks in the moisture released when cooking. For some ideas check out my Foil Pack Recipes.
Using foil also makes cleaning up a breeze. Line your baking sheets, bake or grill, and then toss the foil. Easy peasy!
WHAT TEMPERATURE SHOULD SALMON BE COOKED TO?
My rule of thumb is if the salmon flakes easily with a fork, then it’s done. But if you want to be sure, use a meat thermometer. If it registers 145 degrees at the thickest part then it’s done and ready to serve.
7 SIDE DISHES TO SERVE WITH SALMON
What goes good with salmon? So many simple sides! These are some of my favorites, in no particular order:
- Best Italian Orzo Salad
- Creamy Sweet Macaroni Salad
- Roasted Honey Garlic Glazed Carrots
- Roasted Asparagus
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Parmesan and Balsamic
- Roasted Beets with Goat Cheese
- French Onion Potatoes
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Cheesy Mashed Potatoes Casserole
CAN YOU EAT RAW SALMON?
While you can, technically, eat raw salmon, why would you want to? I mean, aside from sushi restaurants where it’s prepared (and stored) properly?
Raw salmon can contain all sorts of nasty things you probably don’t want to think about like bacteria, parasites, and other toxins you won’t be able to see or taste. That’s why I cook my salmon and leave the raw fish to the experts.
Baked Honey Lemon Garlic Salmon in Foil
Ingredients
- 1 large salmon fillet
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 lemon + juice of 1 medium lemon - thinly sliced, (about 3 tablespoons)
- ½ cup butter - melted (see note)
- 4 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- fresh herbs for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a sheet pan with nonstick foil. Season salmon with salt and pepper to taste and lay on foil. Slip lemon slices under edges of salmon. Fold edges of foil up around the sides of the salmon, but not covering the salmon.
- Stir together melted butter, lemon juice, honey, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Pour sauce over salmon and fold the rest of the foil over the salmon. Bake for 15 minutes.
- Pull back the edges of the foil to uncover the top of the salmon fillet and set oven to broil. Cook for another 5-7 minutes. Garnish with fresh herbs and cracked black pepper (if desired) and serve.
Made this two weeks ago. It not only looked delicious, it tasted yummy! Doing this again tomorrow! Thank you for the recipe.!
Glad you enjoyed it, Cecilia!
Hi! I just wanted to say thank you for posting this recipe. My hubby and I just made this (with a large salmon filet from Costco), and it was amazing my10 year son even had seconds!!
I’ll look forward to more of your posts in the future.
I am so happy to hear that Jennifer! I hope you love some of my other recipes too! 🙂
I made this this evening. The sauce of lemon, garlic, butter and honey was delicious. The fish in your photo has some char, mine didn’t char at all, maybe I will broil the last 5 minutes next time. I put some of the sauce on white rice, amazing!
.
Would it be better for me to skin the fillet or cook it with its skin?
I prefer to skin my salmon first but honestly either way works!
I made this as indicated. It was delicious! Thank you.