Recipe for Baked Salmon with Lemon Caper Butter at Life's Ambrosia

May in the Northwest means the start of salmon season and as a result wild salmon is available pretty much everywhere. So when my friend mentioned to me that I didn’t have enough fish recipes on my blog, I figured now was the perfect time to do some experimenting. For this recipe, I simply seasoned salmon fillets with salt and pepper and placed lemon slices on top before baking them in the oven. Once they were perfectly cooked, I topped them with a quick lemon caper butter.

I was very tempted to use the coveted Copper River Salmon for this recipe but I couldn’t bring myself to pay $30.00 a pound so I decided to go with the Wild Alaskan King Salmon, which was a little less expensive but still has a wonderful, buttery flavor.

Serves 2

You will need:

2 (5 ounce) salmon fillets
kosher salt and pepper
4 lemon slices
non-stick spray
Lemon Caper Butter (recipe follows)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with non-stick spray.
Place salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet. (Note: I don’t like the bones so I remove them. Some use needle-nose pliers, I used my finger nails but it did take me a little while). Sprinkle fillets with kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper. Place 2 lemon slices on top of each fillet. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove and tent with aluminum foil for 10 more minutes. Fish will continue to cook during this time. It will flake easily when done.
Remove lemon slices and discard. Gently slide a turner or serving spatula between the skin and the flesh of the fillet to remove the skin, it should separate very easily. Transfer fillet to a serving platter and spoon lemon caper butter over the top. Serve.

Lemon Caper Butter

You will need:

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons capers drained and rinsed
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
juice of 1/2 of a lemon
kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper

In a small sauce pan, melt butter over medium heat.
Once butter has melted add garlic, capers, lemon zest and lemon juice. Cook for 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Ryan took one bite of this salmon and said “This is really good! I didn’t know I liked salmon so much!” He then quickly devoured the rest of his portion and a little of mine. I hope you all enjoy it just as much! :)

Like this recipe? Recommend it to your friends!

Responses to "Baked Salmon with Lemon Caper Butter"

“
In my opinion, capers and salmon is a match made in heaven. They just go so well together! If it weren’t so late, and for the fact that I don’t have any salmon, I would go make this right now. Your photo is making my mouth water!
”

- GrilledShane

“
I’ll have to try that. Sounds yummy! We often serve salmon, and one of our favorite ways is with a Dijon-Green Peppercorn Sauce. I am always on the lookout for a great salmon recipe since the fish is so good and so good for you.
”

- Barbara

“
This looks like such a delicious and summery salmon meal!
”

- Carrie

“
I’ve heard Wild Alaskan is fantastic, I’ve never found it in my store though :(
This looks lovely, lemony, salty, caper-y, delicious!
I wish I had worked in a restaurant like you, you must have been exposed to so many cool ingredients and techniques! Sometimes I fantasize about taking a part time job at a restaurant, just for fun, but then I realize I have no free time!
”

- Marta

“
I just made this for lunch and love it!
”

- Natalie

“
Marta: While I only worked in the front of the house as a server and host and didn’t get to do any actually cooking at the restaurant, I did get to know many of the guys in the kitchen so they would give me tips and pointers because they knew how much I loved to cook. I second the desire to take a part-time job at a restaurant, sometimes I miss the hussle and bustle of it all. But then again, I enjoy having my weekends and holidays off.

Thanks for letting me know you made this Natalie! I am glad to hear that you enjoyed it!
”

- Deseree

“
I agree Shane, there is just something so delicious about the combination of capers and salmon.:)
That Dijon-Green Peppercorn Sauce sounds delicious Barbara!
Thanks Carrie!
”

- Deseree

“
I’m trying to incorporate fish once a week for dinner (something I’m not fond of but my husband is). I like the sound of the caper butter. Maybe if I make twice the amount of the butter I can deal with the salmon!
”

- Mrs. L

“
haha Mrs. L. Just like bacon, butter makes everything better :)
”

- Deseree

“
This is one of my favorite way to serve fish! The lemon caper butter flavour combo is so good!
”

- Kevin

“
Your blog site was recommended by my daughter over on “Mindy’s Mouthful” on her Rising Stars list for your Strawberry Lemonade. I was impressed by your site and decided to check out a few of your recipes, including this one. I’m not a fan of salmon, but I love capers and the lemon butter sounded wonderful. I had some tilapia on hand and decided, why not?? It was wonderful!! Thank you so much for a new go-to fish sauce at my house!
I also figured while I was feeling adventurous, I’d try your Fried Caprese Bites. They were excellent and surprisingly went well with the fish. The tomatoes/basil were a refreshing contrast in tastes with the rest of the meal. My husband loved it all, although he would have loved the salmon too!
”

- Cyndi

“
Thank you for your nice comments Cyndi and thank you to your daughter for mentioning my blog on her blog, that was very nice of her :) I bet this would be delicious on tilapia. I just love tilapia. It is one of my favorite pieces of fish, the flavor is so light and goes with almost well with pretty much anything.

I am glad to hear that you and your husband also liked the Fried Caprese Bites. It sounds like a great meal combination :)
”

- Deseree

“
Discovered this recipie a few days ago and had to try it! Cooked it today and it was wonderful. Have already written it into my handwritten book of gathered recipies. So I will make it again and again. :)

Thank you very much!
”

- Anne