Garlic Parmesan Baked Keto Salmon Recipe
This Garlic Parmesan Baked Keto Salmon Recipe is the easiest ways to make a healthy and delicious low carb salmon dish! It is a fool proof keto salmon recipe that’s best made with frozen salmon and has only 1g net carbs per serving! Tender & perfectly cooked salmon topped with a delicious blend of parmesan, garlic and parsley held together with full fat mayonnaise.
This recipe is not only perfect for a keto diet meal, but it’s also gluten-free and grain-free! This keto salmon recipe is also delicious as leftovers the next day, eaten reheated or even room temperature!
I originally published this recipe in 2016, ever since it’s been on of the most popular recipes here at HSITK and I figured it was time to give it a little 2023 update. Fresh new photos AND I’ve found that it’s not necessary to cook the topping or this easy keto salmon, if you are using room temperature softened butter.
Enjoying salmon filets at least once a week is my favorite way to make sure that I’m incorporating ample healthy fats into my diet. This baked salmon recipe as well as my Asian Salmon are weekly meal plan staples as is wild-caught salmon on my grocery list. They are both equally delicious recipes that are packed with so much flavor, and a great way to enjoy tender salmon as a part of your low carb diet.
Is Salmon Keto?
Yes salmon is keto-friendly source of protein! First things first, since there are zero carbs in salmon and is chock full of healthy nutrients, omega-3 fatty acids & protein it’s one of the most perfect low carb, keto friendly foods!.
What is the Best Salmon?
I can’t stress enough the importance of choosing Wild Caught Salmon for it’s health benefits and overall heart health. Wild caught salmon has a healthier ratio of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats to inflammatory omega-6 fats, as well as an overall better nutritional profile. Farmed salmon is not sustainable and may harm the environment by spreading disease to wild-caught fish and encouraging overfishing as well as contributing to heart disease and inflammation.
For this low carb salmon recipe, you can use any type of wild salmon that you prefer; Coho Salmon, Sockeye Salmon, King Salmon, Atlantic Salmon etc.. If you don’t know the difference in the types of salmon, read THIS Guide to Every Type of Salmon you can Buy.
We live in a small rural town and finding high quality seafood like wild caught salmon can be challenging. So, I love that I can rely on Thrive Market not only for pantry staples but they also offer wild caught fish, too
Click HERE to get 25% off your first Thrive Market Order!
Can you cook Frozen Salmon?
One of the best attributes of this recipe is that there is no need to thaw your salmon before cooking! It not only makes it the easiest way to cook salmon but it also is what makes it a fool proof way to make perfect salmon every time!
By baking frozen salmon, you get a little extra time for the garlic parmesan topping to get nicely golden brown without over cooking your salmon on the inside.
My other favorite frozen salmon recipes are my 5 Minute Pressure Cooker Salmon and Rice Pilaf and my Oven Baked Salmon Asparagus & Spaghetti Squash with Lemon Beurre Blanc!
Of course, if you’re lucky enough to have fresh salmon available to you, it will work just as well in this low carb salmon recipe, it will just take less time to bake!
How to make Garlic Parmesan Topped Salmon
Healthy and delicious can’t get much easier, this Keto Garlic Parmesan Salmon will become a new family favorite meal. And in less than 30 minutes from the freezer to the table! I you like garlic butter salmon, this is an easier preparation that integrates the sauce into a spreadable topping that bakes into the salmon, It tastes delicious and using frozen salmon yields the best, tender results!
There’s no need to sear your salmon, dirty a large skillet or even heat up the stove!
Keto Salmon Recipe with Garlic and Parmesan Topping Ingredients:
- Salmon Fillets (frozen is suggested but fresh works too)
- Mayonnaise
- Parmesan Cheese
- Butter
- Garlic
- Dried Parsley or Fresh Parsley
I’m always asked about substitutions, so feel free to use other herbs if desired, dill would also be wonderful in this easy keto salmon recipe. You can also add a squeeze of fresh lime or lemon juice, a dollop of dijon mustard, splash of soy sauce or coconut aminos. I’ve had readers say that they used cilantro and it was delicious too.
Simply combine butter, mayonnaise, parmesan cheese, garlic and parsley. I like to use my mini food processor, however a small bowl and spoon will work good too.
If your butter is not room temperature/soft, feel free to use melted butter from the stove or microwave.
Give your salmon a lightly season the skin salt and pepper and place it skin side down on a a baking sheet lined with unbleached parchment paper. (foil works too)
I use a quarter sized baking sheet, it’s perfect for 1-2 pounds of salmon and fits in our counter top (toaster) oven!
Then top it with the garlic parmesan mixture. And don’t be afraid to spread it on thick!
This recipe will work perfectly with either one large filet (fillet) or several individual pieces, whichever works best for you! I typically let my ideal serving size (in ounces or gram of protein you’re aim for) guide the portions that I make for dinner.
Bake your garlic parmesan topped salmon at 350 degrees F. Frozen salmon will take 20-25 minutes depending on how thick your filet(s) are, thawed salmon will be done in roughly 15 minutes.
I’m not afraid to admit that I often make this low carb Baked Salmon recipe several days a week for lunch. It’s just so darn easy and healthy!
What to serve with this Keto Salmon Recipe
Here are a few suggestions to serve with your Keto Baked Garlic Parmesan Salmon Recipe:
- Tossed Salad with Homemade Ranch Dressing
- Coconut Milk Creamed Spinach
- The Best Keto Mashed Cauliflower
- Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Cauliflower Rice
If you like this keto salmon recipe, then you gotta try my Easy Roasted Garlic Parmesan Green Beans recipe!!!
Keto Salmon Recipe FAQs
Can I make this Keto Salmon Recipe with Smoked Salmon?
I would not suggest making this keto salmon recipe with smoked salmon.
Can I use cream cheese instead of mayonnaise?
In this keto salmon recipe, I always use mayonnaise. That’s not saying the cream cheese won’t work, just that I have not tested this recipe using it. If you try this recipe using cream cheese instead of mayo, please comment on this post with how it turned out!
Can I make This keto salmon recipe with Trout?
You can use another type of fresh fish in this recipe instead of salmon, adjust the cooking time if the fish is thicker or thinner.
How many net carbs are in salmon?
Salmon has zero carbs and zero net carbs.
How to store Keto Baked Salmon
This keto baked salmon recipe will keep in the refrigerator for roughly 3 days when stored in an airtight container.
Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried parsley?
Yes you can use fresh or dried herbs in this recipe, as well as garlic powder inplace of fresh. Also feel free to experiment with other flavors like fresh dill, fresh, basil, fresh ginger or adding lemon zest to the topping.
Garlic Parmesan Keto Baked Salmon Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound wild caught salmon filet (preferably frozen)
- 2 tablespoons Butter (or ghee) softened, room temperature
- 2+ cloves Garlic
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons dried parsley or 1/4 cup fresh
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350F and line a baking pan with parchment paper.
- Place salmon on prepared pan and lightly season with sea salt and pepper. Set aside while preparing the topping.
- Combine butter, garlic, parmesan cheese, mayonnaise and parsley, mix well.
- Spread mixture over salmon filet and bake at 350F.
- Frozen salmon will be done in roughly 20-25 minutes (depending on the thickness of your filet). Thawed salmon will be done in roughly 15 minutes. To check salmon lightly flake with a fork – don't over cook it you want it to still look slightly translucent.
Video
Nutrition
This is my very favorite and go-to recipe for salmon! I had a huge oral surgery a couple of weeks ago and can’t eat meat other than fish right now, and this recipe has kept me from getting completely sick of eating fish all the time. Bonus: when it’s cooking it smells absolutely delicious, just like Red Lobster! So good!! Thank you for this recipe!
I’m making this recipe again it’s so good!
This was so delicious best salmon recipe ever!!! Thank you
What about the skin?
You can leave the skin on while cooking. When properly cooked the skin will separate easily on plate if desired.
Love this tecipe
Sorry this may be a stupid question but is the nutritional value per serving or for the whole recipe?
Nutritional info is per serving
Any suggestion for substituting mayo for this recipe?
You could try full fat greek yogurt… but I can’t make any guarantees since I haven’t tried that swap. Can I ask why you’d like an alternative, maybe I can help suggest a mayonnaise that suits your diet better?
The toppings just slid right off the fish into the pan. How do you stop that.
Hey Mike! That’s so strange I haven’t had anyone else with that problem. What modifications did you make to the recipe?
Oh my goodness, this was delicious. I am on a Keto diet and recipes like this make me feel like I am cheating!!!! The response from the person who doesn’t like mayo may want to rethink trying this. You do not know that it is made with mayo in my opinion. I never liked mayo on burgers or any other way. But it is another thing to cook with it. Thank you for this incredible dish. It was simple as well as delicious!!!!
Why Mayo? Can I do without? (I hate Mayo)
You’ll want to swap on a similar ingredient. Let us know what works for you!
Delicious
Everybody in my family loves this recipe and the fact it’s Atkins is crazy. People keep asking for this recipe, it’s good on steelhead trout as well.
We are not big on eating salmon but this recipie was absolutely delicious! The salmon stayed moist and the topping was just the right amount of salty goodness. I will be making this again and again.
Did this recipe for the first time tonight and I must say that it was absolutely FABULOUS!!!! Green beans for the side, and two squares of Ghirardelli dark chocolate for dessert makes for one HAPPY tummy!
This recipe was so easy to make and was delicious. Even my daughter ate some and she doesn’t usually like salmon. I like that it makes so many servings so it makes meal prep even easier.
Ok y’all… I don’t eat much fish so I can’t judge… however, my husband does…and he’s very picky and doesn’t comment much on what I cook unless I drag it out of him! He actually said, on his own, that this was pretty good…so I asked…pretty good or really good?…he said REALLY good! So this one is a keeper! Oh, and I followed the recipe exactly!
This was excellent. I broiled it for one minute at the end which made a nice golden crust. Thank you!
These baked garlic parmesan salmon is stunning. I’m not a talented baker, but I would love to give these a try!
Baked garlic sauce is one of the best keto diet food. and it is very delicious.
This was great! I replaced the mayonnaise with full fat plain yogurt.
This baked garlic parmesan salmon looks delicious, I just want to devour it off the screen! Thanks for sharing, Hayley!
I love this recipe! It is the best salmon I have ever had. Thank you so much for this recipe!!
All I can say is amazing!
Sinfully delicious and easy to make! I did not have any parsley so I substituted coriander. Loved it!
Can you use something other than Mayo?? I do not like it.
You won’t taste the mayo at all. I’m not a huge fan of mayo but it’s a big part of Keto in order to get your good fats. Mixed with everything, it’s really good salmon!
Just made this for lunch. I forgot the Parmesan cheese, but WOW still amazing! I placed a 4oz salmon on top of asparagus and layered the butter mix on top. WOW!!!! best lunch I have made in a while!
Just made this and it was a hit! Thank you
why would i preferable get frozen salmon? why not FRESH wild caught salmon here in oregon? whats wrong with fresh?
There is nothing wrong with fresh but for this recipe I developed it for most of us who don’t have access.
Can you grill this instead
The topping can get messy which may cause grill flare ups PLUS you’ll loose some of it’s deliciousness!
Hi Hayley
This recipe is fantastic and one of our favorites in the family, so yummy. Thank you so much.
Just made this recipe and used fresh parsley, basil and red pepper flakes!!!! So goooood!
This is NOT a fish recipe that I would use again… It wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t my favorite at all. I don’t really think that fish and cheese go together, let alone mayo added in. I was skeptical but decided to give it a try since I saw so many positive reviews… I think it’s safer to do butter, garlic and lemon or lime with some kind of spice. That’s probably what I will stick to.
I’m excited about using your recipe. The Fat to Protein doesn’t quite fit my KETO 20 carb/ daily. What could I do to increase the fat content without ruining the flavor?
Generally it’s not imperative that each meal is balanced as much as your daily total is balanced.
Regardless, I enjoy salmon with asparagus swimming in butter – butter is an awesome fat
I have traveled a lot, eaten at some of the most expensive and best (expensive not always the best) in the world. This recipe was hands down the best salmon dish I have ever tasted. Thank you so much. It was truly great. I didn’t have mayonnaise made from avocado oil but Whole Foods 365 Mayo worked just fine. It will be my go to from now on.
Can I use mayo made with olive oil? I also was thinking about adding a little wasabi to it as my husband loves the stuff on anything.
Sure!
Super yummy! Thank you!
Do you have to use mayo with avacado oil or can you use regular like a hellman’s or dukes?
That’s a decision you have to make for your own health. Soy and Canola Oils are very damaging.
How big was the salmon portion used for this recipe? (NOT asking about serving size – I just want to balance the topping with the right amount of salmon to start. Everything else has clear quantities listed)
A salmon filet is typically 12-18 inches long.
Mine were more like 3-4 inches ? how will that workout for nutrional value provided above – divide by 4 or 3 perhaps? Just started keto 2 days a go! Measuring macros can get complicated HELP PLS!
With protein you’d need to calculate by weight. Then add the sauce, so 4ounces of salmon plus 1/4 sauce
Hello- did you use salted or unsalted butter?
I always use salted butter
Is this for one serving? Because all the ingredients come out to about 950 calories and that’s not a very healthy option.
You can determine your own serving size to meet your nutritional needs and preferred way of eating.
Love this recipe.
Thank you
This was absolutely amazing!! Thank you so much for the
recipe!! My son loves salmon and my hubby and I needed a keto recipe. This is for sure a keeper whether we use keto or not.
I used mypalfitness to calculate nutrition facts for items I had on hand that reflected the recipe. (My mayo for example was different.)
Wow!! Me fiancés daughter and I started the Keto diet, and she picked this as our first Keto dinner. It is so tasty! I have to admit, the thought of mayonnaise and butter didn’t sound appealing but I was wrong! I also had a problem with the Parmesan clumping, but next time I’ll try freshly grated Parmesan.
Absolutely LOVE this recipe! Could you give me the macro nutrients for this recipe? I will definitely be making it again and again and would like to track it accurately! Thank you!
April
Just plug the recipe into your favorite tracker!
Made this tonight. Absolutely wonderful! Can’t wait to make it again and again!!
Loved this. Tasted and smelt amazing. but i must have done something wrong. The sauce seemed chunky. It was like the parmesan didnt melt or look like the picture. Also i bought a full salmon and wished it would have told me as i would have doubled it.
Perhaps you used shaker parm? It contains ingredients that might cause thickening/clumping.
This recipe is delicious, but how many serving is this recipe as I’m tracking my meals. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
the servings yielded is determined by YOU. You can divide the salmon into 2 or 4 or 6 servings or eat it all yourself.
One of the best keto recipes I’ve come across. Incredibly delicious and makes me want more.
I just made this and it was amazing! Thank you so much for the recipe.
What are the MACROS for this meal?
You are welcome to calculate macros, if you track them.
I’ve put this recipe into Carb Manager and My Fit Food’s and they both out it at 40ish carbs. Looking at the recipe that definitely doesn’t sound right so instead of pointing people to other sources could you pretty please provide the nutrition facts for this dish? At least the carbs/fat/protein. That would be extremely helpful and would make your site a true resource for the keto dieter.
Jess – Perhaps I need to write a post on how to calculate macros 😛 Obviously you aren’t doing something correct since this recipe is VERY LOW CARB nothing has more than a trace of carbs (unless you are using a mayonnaise with sugar or parmesan cheese with starch added)
I added the macros to this specific recipe for you Jess, there is 1 carb per serving.
Made this tonight for dinner as my husband is on a ketogenic diet and found your website. It was very good. He really enjoyed it and he’s not a salmon lover like I am. Thank you for your recipe!
Bomb ass salmon. I added mozzarella on top though.
Just made this! Amazing!!!
I have made this several times and it is DELICIOUS!! Instead of parsley, I used Herbs de Provence. SO good!! Thanks for the recipe.
I made fish tonight and it was absolutely decadent. The recipe was easy to follow and even nicer that I had all of the ingredients on hand. My husband loved this and asked that I put it at the top of our “repeat” list.
We love this recipe. I always use fresh parsley. I put all my ingredients at the end in my food processor to incorporate all the flavors. It also makes it easier to spread on salmon. Delicious!!!
Hi Hayley! I just started the keto diet this past week. Do you know the dietary information for the recipe above? Since I’m so new to it I am logging everything to keep track.
I recommend THIS for tracking macros, you can also input recipes.
Woopsy that link doesn’t work %-(
I tried this recipe last night and it was phenomenal! I am on the ketogenic diet and it fit my macros perfectly. A couple of tips – do use fresh parsley if you can and use a wire whisk when preparing the sauce, as the butter and mayo are tricky to blend. Also, I didn’t use frozen salmon and it was as buttery amf tender as can be; will try frozen at some point to see if there is a noticeable difference. Thanks for a fantastic recipe, which even my boyfriend, who is not a huge salmon fan, adored.
Amazing recipe! Salmon never tasted so good. Thanks a lot 🙂
Phenomenal recipe! Absolutely delicious! The only problem I had was that it doesn’t say how big of a salmon fillet to use in relation to the other ingredients.. I used 4 – 4oz filets and the double the topping would have been plenty. I am also in phase 1 (keto / induction) of Atkins so I loved the ability to have 1.5 filets (4oz ea) to fill me up without guilt or wondering if my carbs would be too high. Keep up the great recipe postings! Will definitely make this again! Thank you!
OMG! So incredibly good. Crowd pleasure. Easy to make! Thank you!!