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5.0 from 51 votes

Slow Roasted Salmon with a Lemon and Butter Sauce

Perfectly cooked, juicy, slow roasted Salmon with a buttery, tangy sauce. Delicious and versatile for any meal and occasion. INTERMEDIATE - The technique of slow roasting salmon is perfect for beginners. Combined with preparing asparagus as a side dish makes this an intermediate recipe. Please read the post for the work flow and for tips on making this meal quickly and easily. (Only preparing salmon is easy for beginners)US based cup, teaspoon, tablespoon measurements. Common Measurement Conversions

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 270 kcal
Course: Main Course , Lunch , Dinner , Brunch
Cuisine: Chinese-American Fussion

Ingredients

Slow Roasted Salmon
  • 4 x 3 oz fresh salmon fillets Please see NOTES for larger portions
  • 1/4 cup melted butter or 1/4 cup brown butter
  • sea salt
  • 1/2 lemon
  • 1/2 - 1 lemon zest only
  • freshly cracked black pepper
Lemon Butter Sauce
  • 1/4 cup melted butter or melted brown butter
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice about 1/2 lemon
  • ½ shallot minced
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 tbsp water or white wine
  • 1 tbsp cream
  • salt
  • 1/2 tsp sugar
  • 1/2 tbsp chopped dill
  • 1/2 tbsp chopped parsley
Pan-fried Asparagus
  • 1 lb asparagus woody ends chopped
  • 1 tbsp oil / butter
  • 3 tbsp drained capers
  • 1/2 tbsp chili flakes optional
  • salt to taste
  • 1/2 medium red onion thinly sliced
To Serve
  • Spring salad mix

Instructions

Slow Roasted Salmon
    Cup of Yum
  1. When you buy the salmon, make sure to get 12 oz (or more) of the center belly cut of salmon, so you have evenly-sized salmon pieces. Pat dry the salmon, and cut it evenly into 4 portions that weight about 3 oz each (for light meals). See notes for preparing salmon for dinner, or as a larger meal.
  2. Preheat oven to 250°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and brush the bottom with the melted butter (or brown butter). Sprinkle the buttered parchment paper with a little salt (where you would place the salmon). Place the salmon pieces on the tray with at least 1 - 1 1/2 inches of space between each piece.
  3. Generously brush the top and sides of the salmon pieces with butter. Drizzle some lemon juice (about 2 - 3 tbsp) over the salmon, followed by some sea salt. Place the salmon in the oven and set the timer to 10 minutes. Cook time may vary between 12 - 20 minutes, depending on the thickness and weight of the salmon. Prepare the lemon butter sauce and asparagus while the salmon is cooking.
  4. Check the doneness of your salmon after 10 minutes. A fork or thin sharp knife inserted into the thickest part of the salmon should go in easily with no resistance if it's done. OR you can check the internal temperature of the salmon - if it's 145°F, then it's done. Check every few minutes after the 10 minute mark. If the surface looks translucent, don't worry. The salmon is still perfectly cooked.
  5. When the salmon is cooked, remove from the oven and brush the top with a little more butter (optional), and sprinkle some black pepper, and zest some lemon on top. Let the salmon rest for a few minutes.
Lemon Butter Sauce
  1. Finely chop the garlic and shallots.
  2. In a small saucepan, combine the melted butter and lemon juice with the garlic and shallots. Bring the mix to a simmer over medium-high heat, while whisking. Whisk until the sauce has emulsified.
  3. Once the the mix is emulsified and the shallots and garlic have softened, add the sugar, water/white wine and cream. Season with salt to taste. Whisk until the sauce comes to a simmer. Remove from the heat and stir in the dill and parsley. The sauce is now ready to be served.
Asparagus
  1. Cut the asparagus spears in half or into 3 pieces. Place a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat with the butter or oil.
  2. When the butter / oil is hot, add the asparagus, capers and sprinkle with a generous pinch of sea salt. Leave the asparagus in the hot pan for 2 - 3 minutes to slightly char them. Add the chili flakes and red onions and toss to combine. Remove from the heat.
Serving
  1. Place the asparagus on a serving platter, and carefully place the salmon over the asparagus (the salmon is very fragile, so use a spatula to move them). Sprinkle more chopped herbs (dill, parsley, or chives) on top.
  2. Serve with a spring salad and the lemon butter sauce on the side.

Notes

  • NOTES on salmon 
  • Use 3 oz fillets for light meals (brunch or lunch), 12 ounces in total for 4 people.
  • Use 5 - 6 oz fillets for larger mains (dinners). 20 - 24 ounces in total for 4 people.
  • You can easily add more salmon fillets, as long as you use a larger baking tray to accommodate more salmon, and space them properly. 
  • NOTES on cook time 
  • The cook time for larger salmon fish fillets is closer to 20 minutes. Make sure to check the internal temperature for accurate results. If you see albumin being produced, then the salmon is starting to overcook, so take it out immediately.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1Fillet Calories 270kcal (14%) Carbohydrates 12g (4%) Protein 4g (8%) Fat 25g (38%) Saturated Fat 16g (80%) Cholesterol 68mg (23%) Sodium 226mg (9%) Potassium 348mg (10%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin A 1918IU (38%) Vitamin C 39mg (43%) Calcium 54mg (5%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 270

% Daily Value*

Serving 1Fillet
Calories 270kcal 14%
Carbohydrates 12g 4%
Protein 4g 8%
Fat 25g 38%
Saturated Fat 16g 80%
Cholesterol 68mg 23%
Sodium 226mg 9%
Potassium 348mg 7%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 5g 10%
Vitamin A 1918IU 38%
Vitamin C 39mg 43%
Calcium 54mg 5%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.