Our Favourite Lemon Basil Salmon: A Fresh & Simple Recipe

Are you looking for a meal that feels elegant and special, yet doesn’t demand hours of your time? We certainly understand that feeling. In the midst of a busy week, the last thing anyone wants is a complicated recipe. But what if you could serve up a vibrant, delicious, and wonderfully healthy dinner in less than half an hour? We believe we have the perfect solution: our incredible Lemon Basil Salmon.

This is a recipe we come back to again and again because it simply has it all. The zesty tang of fresh lemon, the fragrant aroma of basil, and the rich, flaky goodness of perfectly baked salmon unite in a truly delightful way. It’s a dish that presents like a restaurant-quality meal, but we assure you, it’s one of the simplest you’ll ever prepare. Say goodbye to uninspired fish dinners; this meal will enliven your palate and leave you feeling nourished and satisfied.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Ready in a Flash: From the initial preparation to the final plating, this dish is ready in under 30 minutes, making it an ideal choice for those hectic weeknights when you need something wholesome without the hassle.
• Packed with Vibrant Flavour: We rely on simple, fresh ingredients like zesty lemon and aromatic basil to craft a sauce that is both light and intensely flavourful. It’s a timeless pairing that always delivers.
• A Truly Healthy salmon recipe: Loaded with high-quality protein and beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, salmon is a nutritional champion. Our recipe keeps things light and healthful, ensuring you don’t have to compromise on taste.
• Wonderfully Versatile: This salmon pairs beautifully with almost any side dish you can imagine. Try it with roasted vegetables, a crisp green salad, fluffy quinoa, or simple steamed rice. The options are limitless!
• Perfect for All Cooking Levels: Whether you are a confident home chef or a complete beginner, our clear, step-by-step instructions will help you achieve a perfectly cooked, tender salmon fillet every time.

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets (about 150-170g each), skin-on or skinless
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
• 1 large handful of fresh basil leaves, finely chopped (about 20g)
• 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp sea salt, or to taste
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• Optional: 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted, for extra richness
• Optional: A small pinch of red pepper flakes for a gentle heat

How to Make Lemon Basil Salmon: Step-by-Step

Putting together this gorgeous dish involves a straightforward three-part process: preparation, marination, and baking. We find that baking is the most reliable method for achieving juicy, tender salmon that is cooked evenly all the way through. Let’s begin!

1. Prepare the Salmon and the Marinade

First and foremost, let’s get our salmon fillets ready. Take them out of the packaging and use a paper towel to gently pat them dry on all sides. This is an essential step! By removing the surface moisture, you help the marinade to cling to the fish and ensure the salmon bakes perfectly rather than steams in the oven.

Next, it’s time to mix our bright and flavourful marinade. In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, the zest and juice from your lemon, the finely chopped basil, and the minced garlic. Stir everything together well, then season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. If you want a little warmth, this is the time to add the optional red pepper flakes.

2. Marinate for Maximum Flavour

Arrange your dried salmon fillets in a shallow dish or on a baking tray. Generously pour the lemon and basil marinade over each fillet, using a spoon to spread it evenly across the surface. Unlike heartier proteins, fish doesn’t require a long marination. A brief 15 minutes is all that’s needed for the salmon to soak up those wonderful, fresh flavours. You can let it rest at room temperature while you wait for the oven to heat up.

3. Bake to Perfection

This is where the transformation takes place. Our goal is to create the perfect baked lemon basil salmon—moist, flaky, and cooked through beautifully.

1. Start by preheating your oven to 200°C (180°C Fan/Gas Mark 6).
2. Line a baking tray with parchment paper. This simple step makes the final clean-up incredibly easy!
3. Place the marinated salmon fillets onto the prepared tray, making sure to leave some space between each one. If you’ve decided to use butter for extra richness, now is the moment to add a small piece to the top of each fillet.
4. Bake for 12–15 minutes. The cooking time will vary depending on how thick your salmon fillets are. The fish is ready when it separates easily with a fork and the inside has turned an opaque pink. Take care not to overcook it, as salmon can quickly become dry.
5. When it’s done, remove it from the oven and allow it to rest for a minute or two before serving.

Expert Tips for the Best Salmon

Ready to elevate your salmon dish from excellent to truly exceptional? We’ve put together some of our favourite tips and variations to help you make this recipe your own.

Achieving the Perfect Herb Crusted Salmon

If you enjoy a bit of added texture, you can easily transform this recipe into a fantastic herb crusted salmon. To do this, simply add 3-4 tablespoons of panko breadcrumbs and 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese to your marinade. Gently press this mixture onto the surface of the salmon fillets before they go into the oven. The result will be a beautifully crisp, golden-brown topping that adds a delightful crunch.

Recipe Variations and Mediterranean Flavours

This recipe provides a brilliant foundation for getting creative. Here are a few suggestions:

• Switch Up the Herbs: If basil isn’t your favourite, fresh dill or parsley are also wonderful partners for lemon and salmon.
• Embrace the Mediterranean: To craft a genuine Mediterranean salmon meal, try scattering some chopped Kalamata olives, capers, and halved cherry tomatoes around the fillets on the tray before baking. The flavours will meld together deliciously in the oven.
• A Different Citrus Twist: For a slightly different but equally lovely flavour, try swapping the lemon for lime or even orange juice and zest.

If you appreciate main courses that are both simple and impressive, our Hot Honey Feta Chicken Recipe is another great choice for a flavourful weeknight meal.

How to Know When Salmon is Cooked

The main worry for many when cooking fish is serving it overdone. The most reliable way to check if your salmon is ready is to use a fork to gently press on the thickest part of the fillet. If it flakes apart easily, it’s cooked perfectly. For absolute precision, an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest section should read between 55-60°C (130-140°F). As the NHS points out, oily fish like salmon is a superb source of vitamins and omega-3s, so cooking it just right ensures you enjoy both its taste and nutritional benefits.

What to Serve with Your Lemon Basil Salmon

One of the greatest attributes of this dish is its versatility. The fresh, clean notes of lemon and basil complement a wide array of side dishes.

• For a Lighter Meal: Pair it with steamed asparagus, tenderstem broccoli, or a simple mixed green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette.
• For a More Substantial Meal: Roasted new potatoes, creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy quinoa, or a simple lemon and herb couscous are all fantastic companions.

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• For Colour and Nutrition: A medley of roasted Mediterranean vegetables, such as courgettes, bell peppers, and red onions, provides a colourful and healthy accompaniment.

FAQ

A Perfect Dish for Any Occasion

So there you have it—a simple, elegant, and utterly delicious salmon recipe that we are confident will become a firm favourite in your home. It’s proof that you don’t need an extensive list of ingredients or complex techniques to create a truly memorable meal. The pure, bright combination of lemon and basil is all that’s required to turn a lovely piece of salmon into something exceptional.

We truly hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do. It has become our go-to for everything from a speedy midweek supper to a relaxed weekend lunch with guests. If you decide to make this Lemon Basil Salmon, we’d love to hear from you! Please leave a comment below to share how it went. And if you’re on the lookout for another brilliant seafood recipe, don’t miss our very popular Crispy Parmesan Crusted Fish!

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Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets (about 150-170g each)
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
• 1 large handful of fresh basil leaves (about 20g), finely chopped
• 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• Optional: 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• Optional: A small pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C Fan/Gas Mark 6). Pat salmon fillets dry with a paper towel.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon zest and juice, chopped basil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to create the marinade.
3. Arrange the salmon fillets in a shallow dish or on a parchment-lined baking tray. Pour the marinade evenly over each fillet. Let it rest for 15 minutes at room temperature.
4. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. If using butter, add a small piece on top of each fillet before baking.
5. Remove from the oven, allow to rest for a minute, and serve immediately.

Nutrition (per serving):
Calories: 400 kcal,
Carbs: 2 g,
Protein: 36 g,
Fat: 27 g