10+ Salmon Recipes for Easy and Delicious Weeknight Dinners

Salmon’s one of those fish that’s just plain good. It’s healthy, flavorful, and honestly, not that hard to cook at home.

You can toss it in the oven, pan, or even a grill, and it’ll usually turn out great. Whether you’re into bold flavors or just want something simple, there’s a salmon recipe for you.

You can easily prepare salmon in ways that are both quick and delicious, fitting your schedule and taste. Cooking salmon doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right ingredients, you can make meals that everyone will enjoy.

Trying out different recipes keeps things interesting. You might even find a new favorite.

1) Garlic Butter Baked Salmon

Garlic butter baked salmon is about as easy as it gets. You get tender, flaky fish and a ton of buttery garlic flavor.

This dish only takes about 20 minutes in the oven. The garlic butter keeps the salmon moist and adds a rich taste.

You can bake it on a sheet pan with your favorite veggies for a full meal. A little fresh lemon juice brightens things up and goes perfectly with the garlic and butter.

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place salmon fillets on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper.
3. Mix melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
4. Brush the garlic butter mixture over each salmon fillet.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes until salmon is cooked through and flakes easily.
6. Garnish with parsley if you like and serve.

If you want more details, check out this garlic butter baked salmon recipe.

2) Honey Garlic Salmon with Soy Sauce

Honey garlic salmon is fast, flavorful, and honestly, pretty hard to mess up. You’ll mix honey, garlic, and soy sauce for a sweet and savory glaze.

The sauce is just honey, soy sauce, garlic, and a splash of lemon juice. Cook the salmon in a pan, pour the glaze over, and you get a nice sticky coating.

This one only takes about 20 minutes from start to finish. The salmon stays juicy, and the glaze is so good you’ll want to spoon it over everything.

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon butter or oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat butter or oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
3. Stir in honey, soy sauce, and lemon juice.
4. Place salmon fillets skin side down in the pan.
5. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side until salmon flakes easily.
6. Spoon the sauce over the salmon while cooking.
7. Serve warm with extra sauce on top.

Want the full breakdown? Here’s the Honey Garlic Soy Glazed Salmon.

3) Oven-Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon

Lemon garlic salmon in the oven is a no-brainer. It’s bright, fresh, and comes together in about 20-30 minutes.

Just preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a baking dish or use foil for less mess.

Mix lemon juice, minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Pour the sauce over your salmon fillets.

Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on how thick your fish is. It’s done when it flakes easily with a fork.

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Grease a baking dish or line with foil.
3. Mix olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
4. Place salmon in dish and pour sauce over it.
5. Bake 10-15 minutes until salmon flakes easily.

4) Greek Lemon Garlic Sheet Pan Salmon with Potatoes

Greek lemon garlic salmon with potatoes is a one-pan wonder. The salmon gets marinated in a zesty lemon and garlic sauce.

Roast it with baby potatoes and maybe some bell peppers or red onions. Everything cooks together, so you’re not stuck with a pile of dishes.

The lemon keeps the fish moist, and the potatoes come out with crispy edges. It’s a healthy dinner that doesn’t take much effort.

Ingredients

• Salmon fillets
• Baby potatoes, halved
• Bell pepper, sliced
• Red onion, sliced
• Olive oil
• Lemon juice and zest
• Garlic, minced
• Dried oregano
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Toss potatoes with half the mixture and spread on a sheet pan. Roast 20 minutes.
4. Add salmon and veggies to pan. Drizzle with remaining marinade.
5. Roast 12-15 more minutes until salmon flakes easily.

5) Pan-Seared Salmon with Garlic Butter Baste

For crispy skin and juicy fish, pan-seared salmon is the way to go. You’ll cook the salmon in a hot pan, then baste it with garlic butter.

The garlic butter adds flavor and keeps the salmon moist. A little lemon juice at the end brightens it up.

This recipe is quick, easy, and makes a weeknight feel a bit more special. The combo of garlic, butter, and lemon is hard to beat.

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets (4-6 ounces each)
• Salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Cooking Instructions

1. Season salmon with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
3. Place salmon skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes.
4. Flip salmon and add butter and garlic.
5. Baste salmon with melted butter for 2-3 minutes.
6. Add lemon juice, cook 1 more minute.
7. Remove and serve right away.

6) Baked Salmon with Dijon Garlic Marinade

Baked salmon with Dijon and garlic is simple but packs a punch. The Dijon mustard gives it a little kick, but doesn’t drown out the salmon’s flavor.

Spread the marinade on your salmon fillets, and maybe toss some lemon slices on top. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 12-15 minutes, or until it flakes with a fork.

This one pairs nicely with roasted veggies or a quick salad. It’s a weeknight dinner that feels a bit fancy without any real effort.

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets
• ⅓ cup Dijon mustard
• 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Lemon slices (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix Dijon mustard, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Brush the mixture over the salmon fillets.
4. Place lemon slices on top if you want.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes.
6. Check if the salmon flakes easily with a fork.

7) Sheet Pan Salmon with Tomatoes and Potatoes

Sheet pan salmon with tomatoes and potatoes is a busy-night lifesaver. You roast everything on one pan—less mess, more flavor.

Toss potatoes and cherry tomatoes with olive oil and spices. Add the salmon fillets and roast everything together.

The potatoes get crispy, the tomatoes burst, and the salmon stays tender. Sprinkle on your favorite herbs or a little feta if you’re feeling it.

Ingredients

• Salmon fillets
• Cherry tomatoes
• Potatoes
• Olive oil
• Garlic powder
• Salt and pepper
• Optional: fresh herbs, feta cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss potatoes and tomatoes with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread potatoes and tomatoes on a sheet pan and roast for 20 minutes.
4. Add salmon fillets to the pan, season them, and roast another 12-15 minutes.
5. Add optional herbs or feta before serving.

For more details, check this Greek Lemon Garlic Sheet Pan Salmon with Potatoes.

8) Rice Wine Vinegar and Ginger Marinated Salmon

Rice wine vinegar and fresh ginger give salmon a light, tangy kick. The marinade keeps the fish moist and adds a gentle zing.

Let the salmon soak in the marinade for at least 30 minutes. That gives the flavors a chance to blend without overpowering the fish.

You can grill or bake the salmon—both work well. Either way, you’ll get tender, flavorful fish.

Ingredients

• 1 lb salmon fillets
• ⅓ cup rice wine vinegar
• 2 tsp fresh ginger, grated
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp sesame oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix rice wine vinegar, ginger, soy sauce, honey, and sesame oil in a bowl.
2. Place salmon in a shallow dish and pour marinade over it. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) or heat your grill.
4. Remove salmon from marinade and cook for 10-12 minutes until flaky.

9) Simple Baked Salmon with Garlic Butter Sauce

Baking salmon with garlic butter is such an easy, tasty way to enjoy this fish. Just start by brushing the salmon with melted garlic butter—it keeps everything moist and brings out that rich, savory flavor.

You can lay the salmon right on a sheet pan. Toss in some veggies if you’re feeling it and let everything cook together.

The oven does most of the work here. At 400°F (200°C), the salmon becomes tender and flaky in about 20 minutes.

Honestly, this is simple enough for a random Tuesday but still feels a little special when you want to impress.

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: lemon slices, herbs like parsley or dill

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Mix melted butter and garlic together.
3. Place salmon on a baking sheet.
4. Brush the garlic butter over each fillet.
5. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the salmon flakes easily.
7. Serve with lemon slices or fresh herbs if you like.

You can find more tips on making garlic butter baked salmon here.

10) Quick 20-Minute Baked Salmon

Baked salmon really is one of the simplest ways to get a healthy meal on the table fast. You can keep it as basic as you want—just salt, pepper, maybe a squeeze of lemon—or go all out with a creamy sauce like lemon mayo or a hit of garlicky butter.

The trick? Get your oven hot enough so the salmon stays juicy and flaky inside, not dry. I usually bake it at 400°F (200°C), and for most fillets, that’s about 12 to 15 minutes.

If your salmon is extra thick, you might need closer to 20 minutes. Wrapping it in foil helps lock in moisture, and if you’re feeling fancy, throw in a honey garlic glaze or some fresh herbs.

This is such a go-to for nights when you want something tasty but don’t have time to fuss. You can always switch up the sauce or seasoning to keep things interesting.

Ingredients

• Salmon fillets
• Olive oil or melted butter
• Lemon or garlic powder
• Salt and pepper
• Optional: honey, mayonnaise, fresh garlic

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place salmon on a baking sheet or wrap in foil.
3. Brush with olive oil or butter and season with salt, pepper, and spices.
4. Add sauce if you’re using one, like lemon mayo or garlic butter.
5. Bake 12–20 minutes, depending on thickness.
6. Pull it out when the salmon flakes easily with a fork.