This slow cooker lemon butter salmon is one of those set-it-and-forget-it dinners that makes a busy weeknight feel a little bit special. Instead of heating up the whole oven, the salmon gently steams on a bed of parchment right in the slow cooker, soaking up butter, lemon, and garlic until it’s flaky and tender. It’s inspired by the classic baked lemon butter fish so many of us grew up with, just adapted for a hands-off slow cooker method that works beautifully when you’re juggling homework, activities, and everything else. You might want to make this when you’re craving something light but comforting, or when you want a “fancy” fish dinner without babysitting a skillet on the stove.
This lemon butter salmon is lovely with simple sides that soak up the extra sauce. I like to spoon it over fluffy white rice or buttered egg noodles so every bite gets a little lemony goodness. Steamed green beans, roasted asparagus, or a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette all pair really well and keep the meal feeling fresh. If you have heartier eaters at the table, add some crusty bread or dinner rolls so they can mop up the buttery juices. For a cozier feel, serve it alongside mashed potatoes and a pan of roasted carrots—everything can be prepped ahead so dinner feels calm instead of rushed.
Slow Cooker Lemon Butter Salmon (on Parchment)
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
1 1/2 to 2 pounds salmon fillet (skin-on or skinless, cut into 4 pieces)
1 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder OR 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (plus a little extra for brushing, optional)
1 large lemon, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about half a lemon)
1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for extra richness)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried parsley)
Parchment paper (enough to line the bottom of your slow cooker and loosely wrap the salmon)
Nonstick cooking spray or a little extra butter for greasing the parchment
Directions
see next page
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