Lazy Lemon Salmon

This is one of my go-to recipes when I want something healthy, quick, and low-effort. I usually prep it in the morning, pop it in the fridge, and then all that’s left to do is bake it at dinnertime. There’s something so comforting about knowing dinner is already sorted.

It’s super fast to throw together, absolutely delicious, and you can serve it with just about anything—roast veggies, rice, salad, potatoes… whatever you have on hand.

Serves 2 adults

Prep Time: 5 min

Make ahead cook time: 25 min after prep

Ingredients

(salt and pepper)

• 2 lemons, sliced into 1–2 cm rounds

• 500g salmon fillet

• 4-6 knobs of butter

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 100ml white wine

• 2 tbsp chopped parsley (fresh or frozen)

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (fan).

2. Lay the lemon slices on a baking tray to form a base.

Base ready

3. Place the salmon fillet on top of the lemon slices.

4. Add the knobs of butter and drizzle the olive oil over the salmon.

5. Sprinkle with salt, and pepper.

Salmon, Butter, Oil, Salt and Pepper

6. Pour over the white wine.

7. Add the parsley on top.

White Wine and Parsley

8. Bake for around 25 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily.

Serving Tips

• Don’t forget to serve it with the baked lemon slices—give them a squeeze over the salmon for extra flavour.

• Spoon some of the buttery wine sauce from the tray over the top just before serving.

• A light mayonnaise on the side works beautifully—try mixing in a little lemon zest or chopped herbs.

Make-Ahead Steps

Want to prep it in advance? Here's how:

• Follow steps 2 to 7 of the recipe:

• Cover and store in the fridge for up to 12 hours.

When you’re ready to eat:

• Preheat the oven (Step 1)

• Bake as directed (Step 9) — about 25 minutes at 180°C (fan)

  
  

Tips & Tricks

• Don’t skip the lemon base — it keeps the salmon juicy and gently infuses it with citrusy flavour.

• Use frozen chopped parsley if you're short on time. No need to defrost!

• Cooking for guests? Make it extra special by creating individual foil parcels—they look elegant, lock in flavour, and save you from plating stress.

• Want to change it up?

  • Add a squeezed garlic clove for depth and warmth.

  • Scatter a handful of cherry tomatoes around the salmon before baking—they roast beautifully and add a pop of sweetness.

• Leftovers? Flake the salmon into a salad the next day. Delicious and zero waste.

And that’s it — Lazy Lemon Salmon in all its effortless glory. I hope this recipe brings you the same kind of midweek calm and dinnertime joy it brings me. It’s proof that you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to serve something beautiful, healthy, and full of flavour.

Happy Cooking!