Honey Lemon Baked Salmon in Foil Recipe

Baked salmon in foil is a simple weeknight dinner recipe. Made with a tasty honey lemon sauce, this salmon recipe is a keeper. 

Salmon is an absolute favorite in our home and our salmon recipes are great for any day of the week. From teriyaki pineapple salmon and salmon with olives and capers to grilled salmon shish kabobs and delicious salmon patties, we have something for any salmon lover out there! 

Easy baked salmon in foil packets

If you’re looking for a nutrition packed weeknight dinner, this salmon foil packets are the answer. They’re so flavorful thanks to a honey lemon sauce and would make the perfect meal with a simple side dish. Cooking salmon in foil is a simple way to avoid washing extra dishes since the baking sheet would stay all clean. 

With only 5 minutes to prepare, this healthy salmon recipe is perfect for busy days when you want to have dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes. As the salmon is baking in the oven, you can just relax and wait for just a few minutes to have a healthy and tasty dinner at the comfort of your home. 

It’s advised by The American Heart Association to eat a variety of fish at least twice a week. Eating oily fish such as salmon or tuna is very good for you and a recipe like this foil packet salmon will help you get your weekly fish serving without any hassle. 

This easy salmon recipe call for just a few ingredients:

• Salmon: This pink and tender fish is perfect for a simple nutritious meal. It’s important to get good quality salmon when it comes to shopping for it. I usually get Alaska Salmon as I know it’s sustainable. Read more on Epicurious about how to buy good salmon at grocery store. 
• Honey, lemon, garlic and olive oil: These ingredients are used to make a delicious sauce that will smother the fish and will give a lot of flavor to it. The acidity of lemon compliments the buttery texture of the salmon. 
• Basil and onion: I love adding an herb and some vegetables such as onions to the foil packets to add more flavor. 

How to make salmon in foil 

Preheat the oven to 400°F and place two pieces of aluminum foils on a baking sheet. Slice the onion and divide it between the foils and place the salmon fillets on the onions. 

Mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and olive oil in a small bowl and brush it all other the salmon. Sprinkle some coarse kosher salt on the fillets with some black pepper. Top with chopped basil if desired. 

Wrap the aluminum foils and leave the top a bit open for the steam to escape. Bake salmon packets in the oven until they’re nicely done. 

 

How to season salmon 

It’s important to season your fish at any stage to make sure it’s perfectly flavored. I usually season salmon fillets with salt and pepper and then make a sauce like the honey lemon sauce that I used in this baked salmon recipe. Sometimes you can go as simple as this baked salmon fillet with lemon and use a slice of lemon to flavor the whole fillet. You can also season salmon with dried herbs such as thyme or oregano for more flavor. 

How long to bake foil packet salmon

Cooking time completely depends on the size of the salmon you’re cooking. For individual fillets that are about 6oz, it takes about 16 to 18 minutes to bake them in foil at 400°F. If making a side of salmon (about 2 lb.) then bake it at 400°F for about 22 to 25 minutes depending on the thickness. Making baked salmon in tin foil helps with the tenderness of the salmon and won’t let it dry easily. 

How do I know if salmon is cooked?

Perfectly baked salmon has two obvious signs: 

1. The color changes from translucent raw to opaque pink when it’s done. 
2. Cooked salmon flakes easily and it doesn’t look raw or translucent inside. 

It’s important not to overcook salmon because it will be dry and not silky and soft anymore. Make sure that you cook the salmon just enough for it not to raw which usually takes about 15 to 25 minutes depending on the size of the salmon fillet you use. 

What goes well with baked salmon?

Oven baked salmon in foil is an easy dinner recipe that goes well with many different side dishes. Some of our favorite side dishes to serve with oven baked foil packet salmon are:

• Easy Mediterranean potato salad
• Mediterranean roasted vegetables
• Garlic butter mashed potatoes
• Greek potatoes

How long does cooked salmon keep in the fridge?

I always prefer to serve salmon fresh and not to refrigerate it. However, if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to two days. Salmon does not freeze well therefore I don’t advise to freeze it. 

Other baked salmon in foil recipe flavors

The best thing about these salmon foil packets is that you can make them with different flavors. Here are some of the common and delicious flavors that you can whip up easily:

• Baked salmon in foil with lemon and garlic: Follow the recipe below and use parsley instead of basil. Leave out the honey to make a delicious lemon garlic sauce for your salmon. 
• Baked salmon in foil with lemon and dill: Leave out the honey and basil. Use two tablespoons chopped fresh dill. This one is perfect when you have some dill sitting in the fridge that’s about to go brown. 
• Salmon baked in foil with lemon and butter: Perfect for the times that you have no herbs in the fridge. Swap melted butter for olive oil and mix it with some freshly squeezed lemon juice. Don’t forget to sprinkle some salt on the salmon before cooking. 
• Garlic butter salmon in foil: Leave out the lemon juice and olive for this salmon recipe and mix minced garlic with melted butter. Brush it all over the salmon and finish with some kosher salt. 
• Baked teriyaki salmon in foil: Yum! Leave out the ingredients for the honey lemon sauce. Use a homemade or store-bought teriyaki sauce for this one. Brush it all over the salmon, add some sesame seeds and bake until done.  
• Baked salmon in foil with vegetables: You can bake baked salmon in foil with asparagus when it’s in season. They’re absolutely delicious. Simply trim the ends of the asparagus and place a few in the foil and then place the salmon on top. Brush with the honey lemon sauce and bake in the oven as instructed in the recipe. Other vegetables you can use in salmon foil packets include zucchini, yellow squash, brussels sprouts and tomatoes.