Salmon Piccata in Foil | Healthy Salmon Recipes (2024)

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Katerina

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Salmon Piccata is a simple yet nutritious salmon recipe. It’s a fabulously tasty dinner featuring salmon smothered in a piccata sauce and cooked to perfection in foil.

Salmon Piccata in Foil | Healthy Salmon Recipes (2)

Healthy Salmon Piccata Cooked In Foil

Prepare your taste buds for a flavorful meal they will remember with this Salmon Piccata in Foil. This is no ordinary salmon recipe—it’s a perfect blend of health-conscious cooking and kinda fancy dining—a perfectly cooked salmon fillet, so tender and juicy, topped with a vibrant piccata sauce.

This isn’t your run-of-the-mill piccata sauce, either. Thanks to the flavor-packed capers, we’ve skipped the flour and yet captured that classic tangy, briny flavor we all love. These tiny green pearls add a salty punch that balances out the rich fish and the zesty sauce. And the best part of this recipe? Your baking foil. It helps seal in all the juices and aromas during the cooking process.

Salmon Piccata in Foil | Healthy Salmon Recipes (3)

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Healthy & Delicious: The salmon provides a hearty dose of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, while the caper-infused piccata sauce offers tons of flavor.
  • Versatility: It’s an ideal dish for a fancy dinner party or a quick weeknight meal.
  • Clean-up is a Breeze: Thanks to the foil cooking method, there’s minimal clean-up involved, freeing up your time for more important things.
  • Locks in Flavor: Baking in foil traps the juices and aromas, ensuring the salmon is moist and flavorful.
Salmon Piccata in Foil | Healthy Salmon Recipes (4)

How To Make Salmon Piccata in Foil

Whether you’re a seasoned cook looking for your next fish recipe or a busy weeknight warrior searching for a quick and tasty recipe, our Salmon Piccata in Foil is just the ticket. With a cooking method as simple as wrapping and baking, you’re just steps away from a healthy and lip-smackingly good dinner.

Ingredients

Salmon Piccata in Foil | Healthy Salmon Recipes (5)
Salmon Piccata in Foil | Healthy Salmon Recipes (6)

Directions

This salmon piccata is very simple to prepare. It requires minimal prep work, with the foil doing most of the heavy lifting, making it perfect for both expert cooks and beginners. Don’t forget to scroll down to the recipe card to get the entire recipe.

  1. First, make the sauce; this traditional piccata sauce will be made without flour because we want to avoid extra carbs. Not so traditional, but still darn amazing.
  2. We will combine some butter and Olive Oil in a pan with lots of garlic, lemon juice, and a few delicious tablespoons of capers.
  3. While all that comes together, you’ll cut out a large piece of aluminum foil, place the seasoned salmon on it, and add the piccata sauce.
  4. Once you’ve done all that, you will close up the foil, pop the fish in the oven and bake for about 18 to 20 minutes, depending on how well you want that fish done. Cooked salmon’s internal temperature should be at least 145˚F. You can use an instant-read meat thermometer to check for doneness.
  5. Optionally, open up the foil and put the fish under the broiler for a few minutes before pulling it out of the oven.

Helpful Tips

  1. Fresh Salmon: Always opt for fresh salmon when possible. If you must use frozen, make sure to thoroughly thaw it before cooking.
  2. Foil Technique: Seal the foil packet tightly. This locks in the steam that cooks the salmon, preventing the delicious juices from escaping.
  3. Avoid Overcooking: Salmon can become dry if overcooked. Be sure to check the salmon towards the end of the cooking time. It should be opaque and flake easily with a fork.
  4. Storing Leftovers: Cool the salmon to room temperature, place it in an airtight container, and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for 2 to 3 months.
Salmon Piccata in Foil | Healthy Salmon Recipes (7)

Serving Suggestions for Salmon

This dish pairs well with a variety of sides. For a light meal, serve it with zucchini noodles carbonara, a tomato cucumber salad, or a kani salad. For something heartier, pair it with garlic parmesan roasted vegetables or these air fryer baked potatoes. If you’d like to add some pasta, I suggest this delicious balsamic penne pasta.

More Salmon in Foil Recipes

  • Maple Mustard Salmon in Foil
  • Tomato Pesto Salmon and Rice in Foil
  • Lemon Pepper Salmon

ENJOY!

Salmon Piccata in Foil | Healthy Salmon Recipes (8)

Salmon Piccata in Foil

Katerina | Diethood

Salmon Piccata is a simple yet nutritious salmon recipe. It's a fabulously tasty dinner featuring salmon smothered in piccata sauce and cooked to perfection in foil.

No ratings yet

Servings : 4 Serves

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 2 pound salmon fillet with skin, rinse and pat dry with paper towels
  • kosher salt, to taste
  • fresh ground black pepper, to taste
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 3 tablespoons capers
  • 1 lemon, cut into round slices
  • chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375˚F.

  • Line a baking sheet with a large piece of foil.

  • Season the salmon fillet with salt and pepper and place it in the center of the foil; set aside.

  • In a nonstick skillet, add butter and olive oil; cook over medium-high heat until butter is melted.

  • Lower heat to medium and add the minced garlic to the skillet; cook for 20 seconds or until fragrant; swirl the pan around so that you do not burn the garlic.

  • Stir in the lemon juice and continue to cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in the capers.

  • Pour the sauce over the salmon fillet. Arrange a few slices of lemon over the salmon.

  • Fold the sides of the foil over the fish, covering completely and sealing the packet closed.

  • Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until cooked through.

  • Remove from oven, open up the foil, and put the fish under the broiler for 2 minutes or until lightly browned on top.

  • Remove from broiler and carefully open up the foil, away from your face.

  • Garnish with fresh parsley, and serve.

Notes

  • Choosing Salmon: Fresh salmon is your best bet for this dish. If you need to use frozen, let it thaw completely before cooking.
  • Aluminum Foil Packet: Be diligent about sealing your foil packet. Doing so traps the steam that cooks the salmon, ensuring no tasty juices make a getaway.
  • Watch the Cook Time: Overcooked salmon can get dry. Check on your fish as you near the end of your cooking time. When it’s done, it’ll be opaque, and you can flake it easily with a fork.
  • Leftovers: Let the salmon cool down to room temp, then seal it in an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for a couple of months.

Nutrition

Serving: 8 ounces | Calories: 480 kcal | Carbohydrates: 6 g | Protein: 46 g | Fat: 30 g | Saturated Fat: 9 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12 g | Trans Fat: 0.3 g | Cholesterol: 147 mg | Sodium: 335 mg | Potassium: 1200 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 1 g | Vitamin A: 373 IU | Vitamin C: 30 mg | Calcium: 50 mg | Iron: 2 mg

Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: easy salmon recipe, salmon, salmon dinner recipe, salmon recipes

Did you make this recipe?Leave a Rating!

Categories:

  • Dinner Recipes
  • Salmon
  • Seafood
Salmon Piccata in Foil | Healthy Salmon Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Do you need to flip salmon in foil? ›

Just add the salmon in foil to the grill and walk away and the fish will cook evenly every time! No need to flip the packets or move them around or worry about the salmon falling apart, sticking to the grill or causing flareups. Easiest way to serve salmon to a crowd.

What is the secret to best salmon? ›

A dry brine gives you firmer, juicier fish fillets with kettle-chip-crisp skin.

Should I cook salmon in the oven or pan? ›

For smaller, crispy, skin-on Salmon; a crispy pan sear is recommended. For bigger fillets, and succulent, skin-off King Salmon; the best method would be cooking in an oven.

Will salmon stick to aluminum foil? ›

Coat the bottom of the foil with butter so the salmon doesn't stick to the foil. Add some lemon and squeezes, salt, and pepper to the foil as well.

Is it better to cook salmon in foil or not? ›

The foil helps cook the fish faster and just all around better. Another reason is that it's a healthy way to cook fish. Yes, salmon is already a very healthy fish. But if you cook it in foil, you don't have to use a lot of oil or butter to cook it.

What happens if you don't rinse salmon before cooking? ›

It's important to clean salmon before cooking as doing so can remove surface contaminants and bacteria. Pathogens may be present in fish, causing foodborne illnesses you can easily avoid through cleaning. Washing your salmon also eliminates impurities like sand and dirt, creating a clean canvas for cooking.

What not to do when cooking salmon? ›

5 Common Mistakes That We All Make When Cooking Salmon
  1. Not removing pin bones. Fact: Most salmon fillets have pin bones in them. ...
  2. Mistreating the skin. ...
  3. Using the wrong pan. ...
  4. Overcooking your fish. ...
  5. Reheating leftover salmon.
May 17, 2021

What brings out the flavor of salmon? ›

Marinating salmon can add additional flavor and help the fish stay moist during cooking. Most marinades include an acidic element like lemon or vinegar which add a pleasant tanginess to the fish. Salmon is considered by some to be a "fishy" tasting fish because it is firm and high in fat.

What can I put on salmon to make it taste better? ›

Ingredients for Salmon Seasoning
  1. Brown sugar. This is going to add a much desired layer of sweetness to your fish, and a nice texture to your final product.
  2. Black pepper. I highly recommend cracking some fresh pepper when it's time to blend your seasoning.
  3. Sea salt. ...
  4. Dried basil. ...
  5. Garlic powder. ...
  6. Smoked paprika. ...
  7. Lime zest.
Jan 4, 2024

Does salmon taste better cooked in oil or butter? ›

Butter makes everything better, and the oil is key for helping create the crispy exterior. Make sure to use an oil with a high smoke point like canola, grapeseed, or avocado oil to avoid burning it. Lemon. A finishing squeeze of fresh lemon juice adds freshness and brightness.

How to stop salmon sticking to foil? ›

Grease the foil: Before placing the fish on the aluminum foil, lightly grease the surface of the foil with cooking oil or butter. This creates a non-stick barrier between the fish and the foil, preventing sticking.

How do you know if salmon is done in the oven? ›

Firmness: Cooked salmon should be firm but still moist. When you press down gently on the flesh with a fork or your finger, it should feel slightly resistant but still give way easily. If the salmon is still hard or resists your fork, it needs more time to cook. If it is mushy or falls apart, it may be overcooked.

Is it better to cook salmon on foil or parchment paper? ›

I like to use a foil packet to keep the cooking foolproof. The foil locks in moisture and ensures that your beautiful piece of salmon turns out flakey, moist, and tender every single time. You don't need to have ever cooked a piece of fish in your life to make this recipe with success.

Which side of aluminum foil touches the food? ›

The Takeaway

Unless you are using foil that's labeled non-stick, which does have a non-stick side, it does not matter what side you use. Both the shiny and dull sides can be used the same way to cook, freeze, and store food. Glass vs. Metal: Which Is Better for Baking?

Can you grill salmon without flipping? ›

This no-flip technique requires that you work with skin-on pieces of salmon. Have skinless salmon filets? Use aluminum foil to form a thin barrier between the fish and the grill. The layer of skin or foil (along with cooking oil) will help keep the fish from sticking and over-cooking.

Is it better to bake salmon at 350 or 400? ›

What is the best temperature to bake salmon? 400°F (205°C) is ideal as it allows the fish to gain colour and the skin to become crispy. If you prefer a milder method, you can bake it at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes or until done. The salmon baked at 425°F (215°C) produces tender, creamy fillets that cook quickly.

Is it better to bake salmon, covered or uncovered? ›

Baked salmon is best when cooked at 425°F in the oven.

Even thicker fillets don't take long. We recommend baking the salmon uncovered. Simply rub the fillets with a little oil, sprinkle them with salt and pepper, then place them in the roasting pan skin-side down before popping them in the oven.

How long before you flip salmon? ›

Let the salmon cook on the first side completely undisturbed until the flesh appears cooked about 3/4 of the way up the fillet, about 5 to 6 minutes. With a fish spatula or similar long, wide, flexible spatula, carefully flip the fillets.

References

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