Gluten-Free Baked Salmon with Lemon Butter

Gluten-Free Baked Salmon with Lemon Butter

Julia

This Gluten-Free Baked Salmon with Lemon Butter is a testament to how simple ingredients can create an extraordinary dining experience. Tender, flaky salmon fillets are baked to perfection and topped with a luxurious lemon butter sauce that enhances the natural richness of the fish without overwhelming it. The bright, citrusy notes from fresh lemon juice and zest cut through the buttery richness, creating a perfectly balanced dish that feels both elegant and comforting.

Baked salmon has long been a staple in healthy cooking traditions around the world, from the Pacific Northwest to Scandinavia, where fresh fish is celebrated for its nutritional benefits and delicate flavor. This recipe honors that tradition while keeping things naturally gluten-free, making it accessible to those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities. The gentle oven-baking method ensures the salmon remains moist and tender, while the high heat creates a slightly caramelized exterior.

What makes this dish truly special is its versatility and simplicity. Ready in under 30 minutes from start to finish, it's perfect for busy weeknights yet impressive enough for entertaining guests. The lemon butter sauce comes together in minutes and can be customized with fresh herbs like dill, parsley, or thyme. Pair this salmon with roasted vegetables, a fresh green salad, or cauliflower rice for a complete, nutritious meal that supports your wellness goals without sacrificing flavor.

Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, high-quality protein, and essential vitamins, this dish proves that healthy eating can be absolutely delicious. The naturally gluten-free preparation means you can enjoy restaurant-quality salmon at home with confidence, knowing exactly what goes into your meal.

Nutrition

25 minutes
None servings
385 calories
Fat 24.00g
Carbs 2.00g
Protein 40.00g

Ingredients

4 piecessalmon fillets, 6 oz each, skin-on or skinless
4 tbspunsalted butter, divided
1 largefresh lemon, zested and juiced
2 clovesgarlic, minced
1 tspsalt
1/2 tspblack pepper, freshly ground
1 tbspolive oil
2 tbspfresh parsley, chopped (optional)
4 sliceslemon slices, for garnish (optional)

Equipment

Cutting board
Baking sheet
Parchment paper
measuring spoons
paper towels
knife
meat thermometer
zester or microplane
pastry brush
small saucepan
spatula

16:8 Diet

This protein and healthy fat-rich salmon recipe is ideal for 16:8 intermittent fasting eating windows, providing sustained energy and satiety with approximately 40g protein and beneficial omega-3s that help maintain fullness throughout the fasting period.

80/20 Diet

This recipe fits the 80/20 approach with 100% nutrient-dense whole foods—omega-3-rich salmon, heart-healthy olive oil, real butter, and fresh herbs—providing the nutritious foundation (the 80%) that allows flexibility elsewhere in your eating plan.

Ancestral Diet

This salmon recipe follows Ancestral Diet principles perfectly with wild-caught fish, healthy fats from olive oil and butter, and fresh herbs—all whole, unprocessed ingredients free from grains, legumes, refined sugars, and processed foods that would have been available to our ancestors.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

This recipe is exceptionally anti-inflammatory, featuring omega-3-rich wild salmon, anti-inflammatory olive oil, and fresh garlic and parsley. The absence of refined sugars, processed foods, and inflammatory oils makes it ideal for reducing inflammation while providing powerful antioxidants from lemon and herbs.

Atkins Diet

This recipe is Atkins-approved for all phases with less than 1g net carbs per serving, featuring high-quality protein from salmon and healthy fats from butter and olive oil. It contains no grains, sugar, or high-carb ingredients, making it suitable even for the strictest Induction phase.

Clean Eating

This recipe exemplifies clean eating with only whole, minimally processed ingredients: fresh salmon, real butter, olive oil, fresh lemon, garlic, and herbs. It contains no refined sugars, artificial ingredients, preservatives, or processed components—just simple, recognizable whole foods.

DASH Diet

This recipe aligns with DASH Diet principles by featuring heart-healthy salmon rich in omega-3s, using minimal sodium (only 1 tsp salt for 4 servings), and relying on fresh herbs, garlic, and lemon for flavor instead of salt. The lean protein and healthy fats support cardiovascular health without excess sodium or saturated fat.

Diabetic Diet

This recipe is ideal for diabetic diets with zero carbohydrates and no impact on blood sugar levels, while providing high-quality protein and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. The simple preparation uses no added sugars or high-glycemic ingredients, supporting stable glucose control.

Flexible Dieting

This nutrient-dense salmon recipe fits flexible dieting principles with clear portions and trackable macros (approximately 40g protein, 20g fat, 0g carbs), demonstrating how whole, unprocessed foods can be incorporated into any balanced eating approach without restriction.

Gluten-Free Diet

This recipe is naturally gluten-free, using only fresh salmon, butter, olive oil, lemon, garlic, and herbs—all ingredients that contain no gluten or gluten-containing derivatives. It's a safe, delicious option for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities without requiring any special substitutions.

Heart-Healthy Diet

This recipe is exceptionally heart-healthy, featuring omega-3-rich salmon that reduces inflammation and supports cardiovascular health, prepared with heart-protective olive oil and minimal sodium. The absence of trans fats, processed ingredients, and excessive saturated fat makes it ideal for cardiovascular wellness.

High-Protein Diet

Each 6 oz salmon fillet provides approximately 35-40g of high-quality, complete protein, making this recipe excellent for high-protein diets. The lean preparation method maximizes protein content while the omega-3 fatty acids support muscle recovery and overall health.

IIFYM (If It Fits Your Macros)

This salmon recipe provides clear, trackable macros with approximately 40g protein, 20g fat, and 0g carbs per 6 oz serving, making it easy to fit into any macro target. The whole-food ingredients and portion-controlled servings support flexible dieting while maximizing nutrient density.

Intermittent Fasting

This nutrient-dense salmon recipe is perfect for intermittent fasting eating windows, providing high-quality protein (approximately 35-40g per serving), omega-3 fatty acids, and healthy fats that promote satiety and stable blood sugar levels throughout fasting periods.

Intuitive Eating

This satisfying salmon dish honors intuitive eating principles by providing a delicious, nourishing meal that satisfies both taste and hunger without restriction or guilt. The recipe emphasizes pleasure and satisfaction through quality ingredients and rich flavors while supporting gentle nutrition.

Ketogenic Diet

This salmon dish is ideal for keto with zero carbohydrates from the fish and butter sauce, while providing high-quality fats from the salmon's natural omega-3s and the butter-based sauce. The recipe delivers approximately 70-75% of calories from healthy fats with moderate protein, perfectly fitting ketogenic macronutrient ratios.

Low-Carb Diet

With virtually zero carbohydrates (less than 1g net carbs per serving), this salmon recipe is perfect for low-carb eating, emphasizing high-quality protein and healthy fats from the fish and butter sauce while completely avoiding grains, starches, and sugars.

Macro Diet

With easily trackable macronutrients (approximately 40g protein, 20g fat, 0g carbs per serving), this salmon recipe fits perfectly into macro-based eating plans. The simple ingredient list makes calculating and logging straightforward while providing high-quality nutrition.

Mediterranean Diet

This recipe exemplifies Mediterranean Diet principles by featuring omega-3-rich salmon as the primary protein, using extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon for flavoring, and incorporating fresh herbs like parsley and garlic. The simple preparation method highlights the natural flavors of high-quality fish, which is a cornerstone of Mediterranean eating patterns.

Mindful Eating

This recipe supports mindful eating with its variety of textures (flaky salmon, silky butter sauce), vibrant colors (golden fish, bright lemon, green parsley), and aromatic ingredients that engage all the senses. The simple preparation encourages slow, conscious appreciation of each element's natural flavor and quality.

Paleo Diet

Completely Paleo-compliant, this recipe uses only wild-caught fish, healthy fats from butter and olive oil, and fresh herbs and lemon—all whole, unprocessed ingredients that would have been available to our ancestors. It contains no grains, legumes, dairy alternatives, or processed ingredients.

Pegan Diet

This recipe aligns with Pegan principles by featuring wild-caught fish as a high-quality protein source with healthy fats from olive oil, while being completely free of dairy, gluten, legumes, and processed ingredients. Though butter is used, it can easily be substituted with ghee or additional olive oil for strict Pegan compliance.

Primal Blueprint

This recipe aligns with Primal Blueprint guidelines by featuring high-quality wild-caught salmon, healthy fats from butter and olive oil, and fresh herbs, while completely avoiding grains, legumes, refined sugars, and processed ingredients. The nutrient-dense preparation supports optimal health and metabolic function.

Primal Diet

This recipe is fully Primal-compliant, featuring wild-caught salmon, grass-fed butter, and olive oil—all nutrient-dense whole foods that support metabolic health. It contains no grains, legumes, refined sugars, or processed ingredients, focusing on quality fats and proteins.

South Beach Diet

Perfect for all phases of South Beach Diet, this recipe emphasizes lean protein from salmon and healthy fats while completely avoiding refined carbohydrates, added sugars, and processed ingredients. The omega-3-rich fish and simple preparation align with the diet's focus on heart-healthy eating.

Weight Watchers

This recipe supports Weight Watchers goals by featuring lean protein-rich salmon prepared with minimal added fats and no processed ingredients. The simple preparation method and portion-controlled servings (6 oz fillets) make it easy to track while providing satisfying, nutrient-dense nutrition.

Instructions

1

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and position the rack in the middle of the oven.

1 min
2

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with olive oil.

1 min
3

Pat the salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels to ensure proper browning and seasoning adhesion.

1 min
4

Place the salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them at least 2 inches apart.

5

Brush the top of each salmon fillet with olive oil, using about 1/4 tablespoon per fillet.

1 min
6

Season each salmon fillet evenly with salt and black pepper on all sides.

1 min
7

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, depending on thickness, until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. The internal temperature should reach 145°F.

15 min
8
2 min

While the salmon bakes, melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat.

9
2 min

Add the minced garlic to the melted butter and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant but not browned.

10

Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the fresh lemon juice and lemon zest.

11

Once the salmon is cooked through, remove it from the oven and transfer the fillets to serving plates.

1 min
12

Generously spoon the lemon butter sauce over each salmon fillet, distributing it evenly.

13

Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and lemon slices if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

Frequently Asked Questions