Salmon Baked in Parchment: Step-by-Step Instructions

Several of my dear friends have asked me for different ways to cook salmon; I’m always happy to help, it is one of my fav foods after all! If you’ve never baked it in parchment, let this be the time you switch it up. Salmon Baked in Parchment tastes DELICIOUS, clean up is EASY, and you can get the rest of the family involved when everyone can dress up their own piece. I’ve created some step-by-step instructions (with photos) to walk you through it below.

Parchment paper is one of my absolute kitchen essentials. It totally prevents food from sticking to a pan and makes clean up so easy. With this method (en papillote, in French), the paper folds over itself to create a packet, sealing in steam so fish cooks quickly and is incredibly moist and delicious. This method can be used with any other type of fish, plus parchment packets can steam veggies, too!

Here’s the step by step:

To begin, cut squares of parchment paper into heart shapes❤️, with a long seam/fold down the center. Arts and crafts!!!

Parchment paper cut into a heart– this shape makes for easy folding and packet-building.

Next, add the salmon and aromatics– white wine, parsley, lemon slices, sliced shallot.

Salmon lined up with aromatics, ready to be sealed into a parchment packet

To fold, start with the inside top of the heart and fold paper, creasing each fold twice, to create a tight, tidy packet. Twist the end piece over a few times to form a good seal.

A close-up of how to fold your salmon packets

Bake at 400 for about 12 minutes, then serve!

Full recipe (printable) below… give it a try and let me know how you like it.

salmon in parchment

Salmon Baked in Parchment

Morgan
Perfectly cooked salmon that doesn't make a mess!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, French
Servings 4 people

Equipment

  • Parchment paper
  • Roasting pan

Ingredients
  

  • 4 3-4 oz salmon fillets
  • 1 tbsp white wine (or lemon juice)
  • 1 shallot, thinly sliced
  • 1 lemon, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, torn
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400. Tear off 4 large squares of parchment paper. Fold each square in half, and cut into a half-heart shape that opens along the fold.
    parchment paper cut into a heart on a sheet pan
  • Place each salmon fillet along the inside seam of each parchment heart/pocket. Drizzle each fillet with 2 tsp wine and season with salt and pepper. Top each fillet with lemon slices, shallot, and parsley.
    salmon fillets inside parchment pockets topped with lemon and parsley
  • Fold parchment into packets: Beginning at the inside top of the heart and working toward the bottom, crimp and fold small, firm creases in parchment paper, folding over itself twice as you move along the sides of the paper. Make sure each part of the paper is folded over twice so it is secure. Twist the bottom part of the heart to seal off the end.
    parchment pockets folded to enclose salmon
  • Place parchment pockets onto sheet pan and place in the oven to bake for 12 minutes. Carefully open each pocket to remove salmon, and serve.
Keyword fish, main, parchment, quick, salmon

Tried this recipe? Be sure to tag @dinneronthecouch #dinneronthecouch in your pics so I can cheer you on!

Lemon Garlic Dressing and 3 Must-Have Kitchen Tools

This dressing is so simple to throw together and keeps for days in the fridge– make it once, and use it for days. It gives an instant pop of flavor to salads, serves as a marinade for chicken or fish, it’s delish on pasta, and is even perfect for dipping bread and cheese! Try it out and you will be sure to use it on the reg.

Let’s talk about THREE of my favorite kitchen tools, all of which I use to make this dressing:
  1. OXO Citrus Squeezer— No need for a juicing tool and strainer anymore, this strains the seeds and extracts ALL the juice. I can’t believe I didn’t have one until a few months ago!
  2. Garlic press— the one I have is all stainless steel and has stood the test of time. I took it from my parents’ kitchen when I moved to college and I have no idea what brand it is. Yes, a garlic press is an extra tool to wash, but I love how FAST it minces garlic– highly recommend.
  3. Mini whisk– I distinctly remember buying myself this tool for my birthday last year. (This is what you do in your thirties.) I can honestly say I use it all the time and it was the best $9 I’ve spent– on my birthday!
Citrus juicer!!

Lemon Garlic Dressing

So simple and tasty you'll want to keep it ready-to-use all the time!
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American

Equipment

  • Citrus juicer
  • Garlic press (optional)
  • Small whisk or fork

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lemons, juiced
  • 1 large clove of garlic, minced
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • Pinch of freshly ground black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Whisk together all ingredients in a small bowl. Alternatively, combine ingredients in a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake until combined.

Notes

Lemon dressing can last in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Keyword dairy-free, dressing, garlic, gluten free, lemon, vegan