Baked Salmon en Papillote with Lemon and Herbs
EASY
15 min
Prep
18 min
Cook
4
Servings
Tender, flaky salmon fillet steamed in a parchment paper packet with fresh vegetables, lemon, and aromatic herbs. The papillote method keeps the fish moist and infuses it with delicate flavors while creating an elegant, restaurant-quality presentation.
Ingredients
- 4 ounce salmon fillet, skin-on, 5-6 oz each
- 2 zucchini, sliced into thin ribbons or julienned
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced into strips
- 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 2 lemon, thinly sliced into rounds
- 3 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- 2 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 0.25 teaspoon sea salt
- 0.125 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Steps
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Cut four 12x16 inch rectangles of parchment paper. Lay each on a work surface with the longer edge horizontal.
- Trim zucchini into thin ribbons using a vegetable peeler or mandoline, and set aside.
- Slice red bell pepper into thin strips, discarding seeds and white membranes, and set aside.
- Slice yellow onion thinly and separate into rings; set aside.
- Slice lemons into thin rounds, keeping seeds and removing them as needed; set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine chopped dill, chopped parsley, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper.
- On the lower half of each parchment rectangle, arrange one quarter of the zucchini ribbons in a pile, forming a bed slightly larger than the salmon fillet.
- Layer one quarter of the bell pepper strips and onion slices on top of the zucchini on each paper.
- Pat each salmon fillet dry with a paper towel and place skin-side down on top of the vegetable bed on each parchment piece.
- Season the top of each salmon fillet with one quarter of the herb mixture.
- Arrange lemon slices on top of and slightly around each salmon fillet.
- Drizzle 1½ teaspoons olive oil over each packet.
- Fold the parchment paper in half over the salmon, bringing the top edge down to meet the bottom edge. Fold and crease the open edges tightly in a series of small overlapping folds to seal the packet completely, starting from the corner nearest you and working around. The packet should hold its shape firmly.
- Place all four sealed packets on a baking sheet, seam side up.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes until the packets are puffed and light golden, and the salmon is opaque and flakes easily when tested with a fork. Ensure salmon reaches an internal temperature of 145°F at the thickest part.
- Carefully remove packets from the oven using tongs or a spatula. CAUTION: Steam will be extremely hot. Place packets on serving plates.
- At the table, carefully open packets by cutting along the top fold with a sharp knife or kitchen scissors, allowing steam to escape away from you. Fold back the parchment to reveal the salmon and vegetables.