Lemon Pepper Salmon Recipe

This simple lemon pepper salmon recipe features baked potatoes and an amazing lemon butter sauce. Another exquisite choice to satisfy your salmon obsession.

Fish, especially salmon, goes very well with lemon, and today’s dish is no exception.

Salmon is delicately spiced with lemon juice, butter, salt, and pepper, then oven-roasted to perk up the flavors. The inside is incredibly tender and juicy, while the edges give just the slightest bit of crispiness, creating a perfect texture contrast.

Is Lemon Pepper Salmon Healthy?

Yes, it is.

This lemon pepper salmon is packed with healthy fats and protein, especially omega-3 fatty acids. The flaky and juicy salmon is basted with a buttery, tangy, sweet-and-sour syrup. Tender baked vegetables are also added for more fiber and fresh flavors.

Salmon Seasonings

In this lemon pepper salmon recipe, the citrus flavor is complemented by the pepper. The browned butter is mixed into the lemony sauce and adds a nice kick of flavor to the salmon without making it too greasy.

If preferred, you can add some lemon zest to maximize the citrus flavor. Also, consider adding a drop of honey if you want to balance the acidity and tartness of the lemon.

Other ways to season salmon can include the following:

• Baked Salmon with Teriyaki Sauce. A dark mirin and sesame sauce that lends a sumptuous glaze to the fish.
• Salmon Recipe with Honey Mustard Sauce. It’s all in the name, except with added chili and pepper to give it a spicy kick.
• Fish Meuniere Recipe. A simple lemon and butter sear that gives the fish a French flair. 
• Broiled Salmon with Lemon. One of our favorite herb-centered dishes that proves less is more.

Ways to Cook Frozen Salmon

For this lemon pepper salmon, you can use either fresh or frozen salmon.

To prepare frozen salmon, simply wrap the frozen fish fillets tightly in cling film and put them in a large mixing bowl. Fill the bowl with just enough to cover the fillets, and let them sit until they’re completely thawed.

How to Tell If Salmon Is Done?

No matter if raw or cooked, salmon always delivers a beautiful and mild taste without a fishy smell. This time, we want to give it a richer taste with an extra layer of smokiness.

Since salmon cooks quickly, baking it in the oven helps retain the heat but still maintains the short cook time. The oven-baking method ensures the salmon is cooked evenly from the inside out while adding little or no fat to it, especially when the top of the fillets are brushed with the sauce.

If you want to make sure the salmon is cooked through, pierce it with a fork to check if it flakes easily and the inside flesh is opaque and slightly pink.

To make it easier, simply invest in an instant thermometer. As long as the thickest part of the salmon reaches 145℉, you’re good to go.

The technique differs when cooking salmon on the stovetop, like with this miso glaze for salmon, but the final internal temperature should be the same.

Note that when the flakes are easily separated, but the meat is translucent, it means the salmon is rare but edible. So, what you need to do is decide which degree of doneness you want your salmon cooked to and adjust the cooking time accordingly.

How to Make Lemon Pepper Salmon

Step 1: Season the salmon

Season the salmon with lemon juice, salt, and ground black pepper. Set aside.

Step 2: Bake the vegetables

Toss baby potatoes and broccoli with olive oil. Transfer to a lined baking sheet, put on the middle rack of the oven, and bake for 15 minutes at 360℉.

Step 3: Bake the salmon

Add the seasoned salmon to the baking sheet together with the vegetables, put lemon slices on top of the fish, and continue to bake for another 15 minutes. While waiting, make the sauce. 

Step 4: Make the sauce (1)

Add white wine and unsalted butter to a heated non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Wait until the butter completely melts and turn off the heat.

Step 5: Make the sauce (2)

Pour in heavy cream, whole milk, and salt. Stir continuously until everything’s well combined and thickened.

Step 6: Serve

Remove the salmon from the oven. Pour the sauce over, garnish with parsley, and serve hot.

You can have fun with this dish by turning it into another healthy weeknight dinner or poaching the salmon fillet instead. The methods are endless!

How Long to Bake Salmon Fillets?

In this lemon pepper salmon recipe, we baked the salmon twice at 360℉ for 15 minutes each time, making it 30 minutes of baking time in total.

Cooking time always varies depending on the thickness of the fish fillets. For large, thick ones, you will probably need to add another 10-15 minutes to the cooking time.

To be safe, always put the baking sheet on the middle rack to avoid burned or unevenly cooked salmon. If in doubt, simply pause the bake and check the salmon with a fork as instructed in the above section.

What to Serve with Salmon Lemon Pepper

This meal is perfect for feeding your family a vibrant and nutritious meal. To create a filling meal with lemon pepper salmon for your family, consider our below combinations.

1. Pesto Pasta Salad

For a refreshing and hearty side dish, try pairing lemon pepper salmon with this pesto pasta salad. Al dente pasta is tossed with an herby, savory Italian sauce and then mixed with Parmesan cheese, cashews, black olives, cherry tomatoes, basil, and spinach.

Everything comes together in 25 minutes. It’s simply bursting with great flavors and textures!

2. Lemon Water

After all those big flavors, why don’t we wrap it up with invigorating lemon water? We highly recommend taking small sips of this lemon water to reset your taste buds when enjoying your meal.

It’s an easy dose of vitamin C to keep you hydrated and stimulate digestion. Try it and give us your thoughts!

Eager to whet your appetite? View all our salmon recipes and pick between a refreshing salmon-tomato salad, this delicious and healthy salmon burger, our super easy-to-make salmon recipe, and many more!

Also, get tips on cooking blackened salmon and the best way to cook salmon steak and add them to your cooking repertoire!

More Awesome Salmon Recipes:

• Simple Piccata Recipe
• Salmon Wellington With Spinach
• Buttery, Flaky Salmon Recipe
• Pan Fried Salmon

FAQ

1. Is Salmon Skin Edible?

Yes, salmon skin is edible.

For salmon dishes, there is absolutely no need to remove the skin, as long as it’s prepped clean without scales remaining. In other words, the choice is completely yours; you can bake salmon with skin either on or off.

As salmon skin helps lock in moisture, if you wish to keep the skin on, it’s important to choose wild-caught salmon rather than farm-raised. Farm-raised salmon is comparatively more watery, so keeping the skin on could make the whole dish mushier than it should be.

In reality, after the salmon is cooked, the skin peels off very easily. So, if you prefer a baked salmon without skin, simply discard it before serving. Otherwise, select skinless salmon at the grocery store or remove it during prepping.

2. How Many Calories Are in Lemon Pepper Salmon?

This lemon pepper salmon has 498 calories per serving.

3. How Long Does Lemon Pepper Salmon Last?

Cooked lemon pepper salmon can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3-5 days in the fridge. You can reheat it in the microwave in individual portions after letting it warm to room temperature.

In addition, you can also mix the cold salmon with some mayo, herbs, and spices, and enjoy it as a cold seafood salad.

4. Can You Freeze Lemon Pepper Salmon?

Yes, you can.

This lemon pepper salmon can freeze for up to two months— though, obviously, freezing salmon will affect its texture significantly. One day prior to serving, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating it the next day.