Irresistible Baked Honey Lime Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe

Honey lime garlic butter salmon revamps an ordinary dinner into a culinary adventure that surprises and delights your taste buds.

Vibrant citrus notes dance with sweet honey undertones, creating a harmonious flavor profile that elevates the delicate fish.

Robust garlic infuses the dish with aromatic warmth, complementing the salmon natural richness.

Each ingredient contributes a unique character to this elegant seafood preparation.

The combination promises a meal that feels simultaneously sophisticated and comforting.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly this recipe comes together without sacrificing incredible taste.

Prepare to fall in love with a dinner that balances simplicity and gourmet appeal.

Why Baked Honey Lime Garlic Butter Salmon Feels So Fancy

• Rapid Flavor Explosion: The honey lime garlic butter sauce creates an incredible taste combination that transforms ordinary salmon into a gourmet dish with minimal effort.
• Super Simple Cooking Process: This recipe requires just one baking sheet, basic seasonings, and a quick sauce mix, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want delicious meals without complicated techniques.
• Healthy Protein Powerhouse: Each serving delivers 25g of protein, providing excellent nutrition while tasting absolutely delectable, with healthy fats from salmon and balanced macronutrients for a satisfying meal.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: From preparation to plate, this salmon takes less than 30 minutes, ideal for families seeking nutritious dinners that don't compromise on flavor or require extensive cooking skills.

What Goes Into Baked Honey Lime Garlic Butter Salmon

• Salmon Fillets: Fresh, ocean-caught salmon with high-quality texture and rich flavor. Wild-caught salmon offers more robust taste compared to farm-raised options.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential flavor enhancers that help bring out salmons natural taste. Sea salt provides more mineral complexity than table salt.

• Butter, Honey, Lime Juice, Lime Zest, Minced Garlic: Creamy, sweet, tangy sauce that complements salmons richness. Fresh lime provides brighter flavor than bottled juice. Use unsalted butter for better sauce control.

• Fresh Parsley, Lime Wedges: Bright, fresh herb adds color and additional citrus notes. Parsley contributes a clean, slightly peppery taste. Lime wedges offer optional extra zestiness for serving.

Baking Baked Honey Lime Garlic Butter Salmon to Perfection

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Prepare the Salmon

Pat the salmon fillets dry using paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 3: Create the Flavor Sauce

• Melted butter
• Minced garlic
• Honey
• Lime juice
• Lime zest

Whisk the ingredients until well blended.

Step 4: Coat the Salmon

Drizzle the honey lime garlic sauce evenly over the salmon fillets, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 5: Bake the Salmon

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake for 15-18 minutes until the salmon flakes easily with a fork. For a golden top, broil for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

Remove from the oven and sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the salmon. Serve hot with lime wedges on the side for an extra burst of citrus flavor.

Handy Tips for Baked Honey Lime Garlic Butter Salmon Success

• Select Fresh Salmon: Choose bright, firm salmon fillets with minimal odor for the best flavor and texture.
• Pat Dry Completely: Remove all moisture from salmon using paper towels to help achieve a perfect golden-brown exterior when baking.
• Balance Honey Lime Sauce: Adjust sweetness and acidity by tasting the sauce before pouring over salmon, ensuring a harmonious blend of flavors.
• Check Doneness Carefully: Use a fork to test salmon's flakiness and avoid overcooking, which can make the fish dry and tough.
• Enhance Presentation: Garnish with fresh parsley and lime wedges just before serving to add brightness and visual appeal to the dish.

How to Store and Enjoy Baked Honey Lime Garlic Butter Salmon Later

• Refrigeration: Store leftover salmon in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Place the fish in the refrigerator and consume within 2-3 days for the best quality and taste.
• Reheating Method: Gently warm salmon in the oven to preserve its moisture and texture. Preheat the oven to 275°F, place salmon in a baking dish, add a splash of water or broth, then cover with foil. Heat for 10-15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
• Freezing Option: Wrap cooled salmon tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to maintain its delicate flavor and prevent dryness.

What Pairs Beautifully with Baked Honey Lime Garlic Butter Salmon

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc perfectly complement the bright lime and honey flavors, balancing the rich, buttery salmon with their zesty acidity.
• Serve Alongside Herbed Quinoa: Light, fluffy quinoa seasoned with fresh herbs like parsley and cilantro creates a perfect texture contrast and absorbs the salmon's delicious sauce.
• Add Roasted Asparagus: Tender roasted asparagus with a light garlic and lemon seasoning matches the salmon's flavor profile, providing a green vegetable side that enhances the overall meal experience.
• Cool Down with Cucumber Salad: A refreshing cucumber salad with dill and a light vinaigrette cuts through the richness of the salmon, adding a crisp and clean element to the plate.

Fresh Flavor Swaps for Baked Honey Lime Garlic Butter Salmon

• Spicy Honey Lime Salmon: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha to the sauce for a bold, fiery flavor profile that brings extra heat to the classic recipe.
• Asian-Inspired Salmon: Replace honey with soy sauce, add ginger, and sprinkle sesame seeds on top for an authentic east Asian culinary experience.
• Herb-Crusted Salmon Variation: Mix fresh dill, thyme, and basil into the butter sauce, creating a vibrant herb-infused coating that elevates the fish's natural flavors.
• Mediterranean Salmon Twist: Incorporate chopped kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, and a touch of oregano to give the salmon a Greek-inspired transformation.

Baked Honey Lime Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe

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4.8 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 28 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent salmon meets zesty lime, sweet honey, and rich garlic in this Mediterranean-inspired dish. Perfectly roasted fillets promise a luxurious meal that brings restaurant-quality flavors directly to your dining table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 4 salmon fillets (6 ounces/170 grams each)

Sauce and Seasonings:

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Zest of 1 lime

Garnish and Serving:

• Salt (to taste)
• Pepper (to taste)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• Lime wedges (for serving)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
2. Pat the salmon fillets completely dry using paper towels, ensuring no excess moisture remains.
3. Generously season both sides of the salmon with salt and black pepper to enhance the natural flavor.
4. Create the honey lime garlic butter sauce by whisking together melted butter, finely minced garlic, pure honey, freshly squeezed lime juice, and grated lime zest in a small mixing bowl.
5. Evenly coat each salmon fillet with the prepared sauce, making sure every inch of the fish is covered with the aromatic mixture.
6. Carefully place the prepared baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, checking for doneness by testing if the fish flakes easily with a fork.
7. For a golden-brown exterior, switch the oven to broil and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
8. Remove the salmon from the oven and let it rest for a minute before garnishing with freshly chopped parsley.
9. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side, allowing diners to add an extra burst of citrus flavor if desired.

Notes

• Meal-Prep Magic: Dry salmon fillets completely to ensure the honey lime garlic butter sauce clings perfectly without watering down.
• Flavor Fusion: Blend butter, garlic, honey, and lime creates a tangy-sweet coating that transforms ordinary salmon into a restaurant-worthy dish.
• Temperature Tricks: Precise 375°F oven temperature guarantees salmon stays moist inside while developing a gorgeous golden exterior.
• Sauce Secrets: Generously coating each fillet ensures maximum flavor absorption and prevents dry, bland bites.
• Garnish Game: Fresh parsley and lime wedges add bright, zesty finish that elevates the entire dining experience.
• Cooking Confidence: Fork-flaking test determines perfect doneness, preventing overcooked, tough salmon every single time.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 18 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 410 kcal
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 16g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 70mg