8-MINUTE ZESTY GARLIC BROILED SALMON WITH CAPERS
on Apr 10, 2024, Updated Jul 18, 2024
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This 8-Minute Zesty Garlic Broiled Salmon with Capers is the definition of minimal effort, high reward! Salmon is often dubbed a health food and for good reason. It’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to reduce inflammation, support brain health, and so much more. But even if it wasn’t a superfood, salmon is one of my favorite protein options because it’s quick-cooking and always a fan favorite.
An irresistible sauce made from garlic, Dijon mustard, honey, capers, and lemon elevates the piece of fish, adding a nice brightness while also keeping it incredibly moist. When you give it a bite, you’ll be surprised by how these few ingredients can make something taste so, well, zesty!
To get this to the table quickly, I broil the salmon in the oven. Broiling gives it that nice restaurant-like sear without the hassle of actually searing it in a skillet. The trick here is to use a parchment-lined baking pan. It makes cleanup super fast and also helps eliminate some of the fishy smell as it bakes.
If you’re intimidated by cooking salmon, then this is a great recipe to start with. The sauce helps ensure the fish won’t be overcooked, and the finished product is something you’ll be really proud of. Serve this lemon caper salmon simply over a bed of spicy arugula and a bed of rice for a well-rounded, flavorsome dinner. Give it a try and let me know how it turns out!
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Ingredients for Zesty Garlic Broiled Salmon
Salmon may taste fancy, but it doesn’t have to be overly complicated for it to taste amazing. This recipe requires only a few basic ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Salmon: Full of omega-3 fatty acids, salmon is a healthy protein option that’s sophisticated enough for a dinner party but also easy enough for a weeknight meal. I buy fresh salmon (wild-caught if possible) from @wholefoods, typically one large piece that I’ll cut down into individual pieces once baked. You can ask the fishmonger to remove the skin, or you can remove it yourself after it’s cooked.
- Garlic: The hardest part of this recipe is mincing up 5 cloves of garlic… Even so, there is zero judgment if you opt for pre-minced garlic from the grocery store! Garlic is full of anti-inflammatory properties, but I love it because it adds so much flavor to the salmon as it broils. I know five cloves seems like a lot, but I promise it won’t be overpowering.
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Pin It- Capers: Every time I use capers, I wonder why I don’t use them more often! These briny-like buds are reminiscent of green olives, but a bit more salty. They play well with seafood and also chicken like my Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Chicken Piccata recipe.
- Honey: This natural sweetener rounds out the flavor profile of the sauce, balancing out the punchy garlic and capers. I try to look for local, raw honey either at my grocery store or farmer’s market.
- Mustard: This condiment is much more than an accompaniment to a ham sandwich or a burger. Grainy Dijon mustard adds a nice texture to the sauce and also gives the salmon a zippy flavor. I really recommend grainy Dijon mustard here as it has a distinctive taste, however, if you’re in a pinch then another mustard should work fine in its place.
- Lemon: Lemon and salmon go together like peanut butter and jelly. I zest and juice a lemon to get the most out of it.
How to Make Zesty Garlic Broiled Salmon with Capers
PREHEAT THE BROILER
Move your oven rack so it’s about 8 inches from the broiler. Turn the oven to broil on high (my oven has two broil options, so I go with the highest one). The broiler will literally be “red hot” when it’s ready.
MAKE THE SALMON
In a small bowl or measuring glass, add the avocado oil, minced garlic, honey, capers, mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper to the bowl. Whisk to combine.
To make this cleanup easy peasy, place a piece of parchment paper in an oven-proof dish, ensuring the sides are trimmed and greased with avocado oil. This prevents the paper from catching fire under the broiler!
Place the salmon atop the parchment paper in the dish. Pour the sauce on top and spread evenly so the entire piece of fish is covered in all that deliciousness!
Broil the salmon for 8 minutes. If you’re unfamiliar with your broiler, keep an eye on it to ensure it isn’t cooking the salmon too quickly. You’ll know the salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork.
SERVE AND EAT
To serve, I like to place the piece of fish on a bed of arugula with a side of rice. Spoon any of the pan drippings over the fish and rice. Enjoy!
Other Salmon Recipes You’re Sure to Love
- Mustard Salmon with Lemony Quinoa and Burst Cherry Tomatoes
- Honey Sriracha Glazed Salmon Bowls
- Spicy Salmon Sushi Bowls
8-MINUTE ZESTY GARLIC BROILED SALMON WITH CAPERS
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds salmon
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 5 large cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained
- 1 tablespoon grainy dijon mustard
- Zest and juice from 1 lemon (approximately 3 tablespoons juice)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Turn your oven to broil on high, ensuring the rack is about 8 inches from the broiler. The broiler will be “red hot” when it's ready.
- To a small jar or bowl, add the avocado oil, minced garlic, honey, capers, mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Whisk to combine.
- Place a piece of parchment in an oven-proof dish, ensuring that the sides are trimmed down and greased so they won’t catch fire under the broiler. This is optional, but makes cleanup so much easier!
- Place the salmon in the oven-proof dish and pour the sauce over top.
- Broil the salmon for 8 minutes, watching to ensure it isn’t cooking too fast.
- Serve over a bed of arugula and optional grain of choice. Spoon any remaining pan drippings over the top of the fish and rice.
- ENJOY!
