Tender, flaky lemon caper salmon baked in a foil packet makes for an easy family dinner and an even easier clean up. Win win for me.
Easy and dinner in the same sentence. Sign me up. As a full time working mom with two young children, time is precious. I absolutely love cooking, but there are some busy weeknights that just don’t have enough time for a fancy shmancy dinner.
Between homework, sports practice, music lessons, bathing, and everything else, it’s hard to find time for dinner. This recipe for baked lemon caper salmon in a foil packet is one for nights just like that.
What’s a foil packet?
It really is just that, a packet used to cook food in made with foil. Sure if you really want to you could buy premade foil packets. But really guys, it’s super simple and you can just make your own.
How to make a foil packet?
I tend to buy salmon from Costco and those slabs are rather large. So, what I like to do is tear off a sheet of foil about three times as long as the salmon. Place the salmon fillet in the center of the foil, then fold over each end horizontally to connect both sides. Then roll up the long edge to ensure all the heat, juices, and flavor are trapped in the pouches.
At the end of dinner you simple ball up the foil and toss in the trash. Mom win!
Even when quick dinners are my goal, I want to make sure I pack in the nutrients. Salmon is a great protein to do this. Another option, make personalized packets to please everyone.
You can also add veggies to your packets for even more nutrients and variety, like
- Asparagus
- Onion
- Carrots
- Zucchini
If you want to try another salmon recipe, try my miso glazed salmon
Lemons and capers go together just as much as peanut butter and jelly. This simple sauce mixture layered on the salmon makes for an absolutely tasty dinner.
What are capers?
These salty, little, green balls are commonly included in pasta dishes, dressing, sandwiches, etc. Capers (https://amzn.to/2pVxVQW) are pickled flower buds from the caper plant. They are packed with flavor and add a nice enhancement to many dishes.
Here’s another lemon caper recipe for you to try. And an added plus, it’s made in the Crock Pot.
How long do I cook salmon in a foil packet?
It will depend on the thickness of the slab. The cuts that I get generally take about 15 to 20 minutes, where I find 18 seems to be the sweet spot.
What temperature should cooked salmon be?
145F. You can use a simple digital thermometer to check the temperature.
Can I cook lemon caper salmon foil packets on the grill?
Sure can. Cooking times should be similar.
How to make lemon caper salmon foil packets?
Preheat oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil leaving enough excess to wrap up and enclose the salmon. Lay salmon filet on foil. Lightly season with garlic salt and pepper. Layer on mayonnaise, lemon slices, onion, and capers. Wrap up salmon in foil and roll edges to seal the packet. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until salmon reaches 145F.
Lemon Caper Salmon Foil Packets
Ingredients
- 2 pounds salmon fillet
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 lemon sliced
- 1/2 onion julienne
- 3 tablespoons capers
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil leaving enough excess to wrap up and enclose the salmon.
- Lay salmon filet on foil. Lightly season with garlic salt and pepper. Layer on mayonnaise, lemon slices, onion, and capers.
- Wrap up salmon in foil and roll edges to seal the packet.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until salmon reaches 145F.
Notes
Nutrition
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Made it for my family and the kids fell in love. I’m a caper lover so I added A LOT 🤣 I needed to leave it in the oven for an additional 5 min but not a big deal. Will deff make it again. Thank you!