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A close-up overhead view of a delicious salmon foil packet, showing the flaky texture of the fish with garlic, herbs, and lemon.

Baked Salmon in Foil (The Easiest, Most Flavorful Recipe)

Learn how to make the most tender and flavorful Baked Salmon in Foil with this simple, foolproof recipe. Perfect for a healthy and delicious weeknight dinner, this dish uses garlic, butter, and lemon to create a restaurant-quality meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 395
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 (6 ounce) salmon fillets skin on or off
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill chopped
  • 1 large lemon half juiced, half sliced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground

Equipment

  • 1 Baking Sheet
  • Aluminum foil Heavy-duty recommended

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lay out four large sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel and place one fillet in the center of each sheet.
  2. Season both sides of the salmon generously with salt and pepper.
  3. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, and chopped fresh dill.
  4. Drizzle the garlic-dill butter mixture evenly over the four salmon fillets. Squeeze the juice from half a lemon over the salmon, then top each fillet with two lemon slices.
  5. To create a packet, bring the two long sides of the foil together above the salmon and fold them over several times to create a tight seal. Then, fold in the shorter sides to completely enclose the salmon.
  6. Place the foil packets on a baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Cooking time will vary based on the thickness of your fillets.
  7. Carefully open the foil packets, as steam will be released. Serve immediately, garnished with extra fresh dill if desired.

Notes

Tip 1: For extra browning, open the foil packets for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking and place under the broiler. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
Tip 2: Feel free to add quick-cooking vegetables like asparagus spears or bell pepper strips to the foil packets for a complete one-pan meal.
Tip 3: Leftover salmon can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.