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Close-up of four perfectly cooked lemon pepper salmon fillets with roasted asparagus spears.

Easy Lemon Pepper Salmon Baked in 20 Minutes

Lemon pepper salmon is a fresh and flavorful dish that comes together quickly with minimal ingredients. The combination of zesty lemon and bold black pepper enhances the natural richness of the salmon while keeping the dish light and balanced. Perfect for an easy dinner, this recipe delivers a high protein meal with bright, clean flavors.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 310
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 salmon fillets about 5 to 6 ounces each
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 cup asparagus trimmed

Equipment

  • Sheet pan
  • Parchment paper

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
  2. Place asparagus on the pan and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Season lightly with a pinch of salt and toss to coat.
  3. Pat salmon dry and place on the sheet pan beside the asparagus.
  4. Drizzle remaining olive oil over salmon and season with lemon zest, lemon juice, black pepper, salt, and garlic powder.
  5. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until salmon flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
  6. Serve immediately with roasted asparagus and extra lemon juice if desired.

Notes

Fresh lemon zest adds the most flavor, so avoid skipping this step for the best result.