This Bacon Wrapped Salmon is ready in just 20 minutes and tastes absolutely incredible - salty bacon, rich garlic butter, and a squeeze of fresh lemon create the perfect balance of flavors. Just wrap salmon in bacon, bake for 12-15 minutes, and you've got an impressive dinner that's actually super easy to make!
Bacon Makes Everything Better - Including Salmon!
I love a good salmon dinner, and this bacon-wrapped version has become a new favorite! The salty bacon adds so much flavor to the mild salmon, and when you add garlic butter and lemon juice? It's honestly restaurant-quality but done in 20 minutes at home.
If you're skeptical about bacon + fish, trust me on this one. They pair beautifully together - the bacon crisps up in the oven while keeping the salmon moist and tender. It's a genius combination!
It's also so easy to make and all done in under 20 minutes - and that's mostly hands off time, just prep it for 5 and it cooks itself!
If you don't like bacon but still want to have salmon for dinner - check out my Firecracker Salmon, Pesto Salmon or this simple Salmon Stew.
"I have never thought to wrap salmon in bacon but I definitely recommend it after trying this bacon wrapped salmon with garlic butter recipe! Super quick and easy to make! Great for a lazy but yummy meal." - Kat
Why Bacon + Salmon Is Such a Good Idea
I know combining salmon with bacon might sound strange if you've never tried it before, but it truly works, and for good reasons.
- It's a great flavor combo. The bacon adds salty, smoky flavor that complements the mild, buttery salmon perfectly.
- Bacon keeps the salmon moist. The bacon fat bastes the salmon as it cooks, preventing it from drying out.
- Bacon adds texture and contrast. You get crispy bacon on the outside and tender, flaky salmon on the inside.
And then the garlic butter and lemon juice tie everything together for a dish that's rich, bright, and so delicious.
Everything You Need for Bacon-Wrapped Perfection
What Salmon to Use
For this particular recipe I like to use individual salmon filets, since it makes the whole wrapping them in bacon so much easier. You can also buy a big filet and cut it into portion pieces.
Since we're wrapping the salmon I also prefer to get salmon without the skin. But same here, you can buy it with the skin on and just remove it using a sharp knife.
What Bacon to Use and What You Can Use Instead
Thin cut bacon strips work best for this recipe, thick cut bacon will not wrap as well and will need longer to cook. You can also use a dried ham like prosciutto, parma or serrano.
How to Add Even More Flavor
This recipe is delicious and loaded with flavor as it is, but sometimes you just want a bit more. I get it!
More lemon flavor: Add lemon zest to the garlic butter.
Herbs: Add fresh or dried herbs like tarragon and parsley to the garlic butter.
A sweet touch: Brush with honey or maple syrup after cooking.
How to Make It in 4 Simple Steps
1. Make the Garlic Butter
Place butter, garlic, Worcestershire sauce and salt in a shallow bowl and use a fork to smash it all together.
2. Load Salmon With Garlic Butter
Top the salmon filets with a good amount of garlic butter.
3. Wrap & Add Lemon Juice
Wrap the salmon and garlic butter in bacon, then place in an oven safe dish and pour over lemon juice. Pour carefully so you get as much as possible of the juice on the salmon.
4. Bake
Bake until both salmon and bacon are done, this usually takes 12-15 minutes, depending on your oven. Flip the filets halfway to allow for the bacon to cook evenly. Serve with the butter collected in the dish as a simple "sauce".
Top Tips
Use a meat thermometer. This is the best way to make sure the salmon is cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C).
Don't throw away the butter in the bottom of the dish! Pour it over your salmon or rice instead for a simple "sauce".
What to Do with Leftovers
Salmon is always best eaten straight away, but you can also save the leftovers. Just keep in mind the taste and texture will not be quite as good as when it's fresh out of the oven.
Storing: Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezing: Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months.
Reheating in microwave: Reheat leftovers in the microwave in 30-second increments.
What to Serve With It
- Creamy Rice with Butter & Chicken Broth30 Minutes
- Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes17 Minutes
- Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts with Bacon20 Minutes
- Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon20 Minutes
More Quick & Easy Salmon Recipes
- Baked Teriyaki Salmon21 Minutes
- Air Fryer Salmon Patties30 Minutes
- Firecracker Salmon45 Minutes
- Air Fryer Salmon Bites10 Minutes
Recipe
Bacon Wrapped Salmon with Garlic Butter
Print RateIngredients
- 2 individual salmon filets without skin
- 6 slices thin-cut bacon or prosciutto, serrano or parma ham
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Garlic Butter
- 2 tablespoon salted butter softened; or unsalted and add an extra pinch of salt
- 1 garlic clove pressed or minced
- ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- â…› teaspoon fine table salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 440°F (225°C).
- Place the ingredients for the garlic butter in a shallow bowl and smash the butter while mixing it all together.2 tablespoon salted butter, 1 garlic clove, ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, ⅛ teaspoon fine table salt
- Bring out the salmon filets and pat dry.2 individual salmon filets
- Top salmon with garlic butter and wrap in bacon. Place in an oven safe dish and squeeze over the lemon juice.6 slices thin-cut bacon, 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Bake at 440°F (225°C) for 12-15 minutes, flipping the salmon halfway. Serve topped with the melted butter from the dish.
Equipment (may contain affiliate links)
- Oven safe dish
- Shallow bowl
Notes
What to Do with Leftovers
Salmon is always best eaten straight away, but you can also save the leftovers. Just keep in mind the taste and texture will not be quite as good as when it's fresh out of the oven. Storing:Â Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Freezing:Â Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Reheating in microwave:Â Reheat leftovers in the microwave in 30-second increments.Nutrition
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
Kat
I have never thought to wrap salmon in bacon but I definitely recommend it after trying this bacon wrapped salmon with garlic butter recipe! Super quick and easy to make! Great for a lazy but yummy meal.