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Salmon en Papillote

This Salmon en Papillote recipe is a super simple way to infuse flavor into your baked salmon! This easy recipe is great for weeknight meals!

Salmon en Papillote: A salmon filet in a piece of parchment paper with snow peas underneath and slices of lemon on top.

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I’ve seen recipes for fish en papillote (fish baked in parchment) floating around the internet for YEARS. But I didn’t try it out for myself right away.

The name was so fancy, it had to be a complicated recipe.

Or so I thought.

What is the En Papillote Method?

In reality, en papillote (AKA paper) is a super easy way to infuse flavors into your fish.

En papillote is a cooking method that involves baking food in a parchment paper packet.

Basically, you encase whatever you’re baking in parchment paper, which allows the flavors to mingle together. 

It’s a great alternative to aluminum foil packets!

Okay, let me show you how to do it!

Placing all of the ingredients on a sheet of parchment paper to make salmon en papillote.

Ingredients:

You really only need a few simple ingredients to make this salmon sing with flavor! I’ll talk about other flavor combinations later on in the post, but here’s a great flavor combo:

  • 1 cup snow peas: You could also use any other quick-cooking vegetable. Asparagus would also work great! Thin green beans could be a good option as well.
  • 2 thin salmon fillets: You can use fresh salmon fillets, or you can use thawed frozen salmon. You can remove the skins, or leave them on – whichever you prefer! You could technically use another kind of thin fish fillet if you prefer. 
  • Salt and black pepper to taste: Since the ingredients are so simple, make sure to use a good amount of salt and pepper to enhance those flavors! I like to use unrefined sea salt, but you can also use kosher salt if you prefer.
  • 1 organic lemon, thinly sliced: There’s just something about fresh lemon! I recommend using an organic lemon since the peel/lemon zest will come in contact with your food. If you were just using the lemon juice, it would be less important to purchase organic.
  • 2 cloves garlic, sliced: This is where some serious flavor comes in! If you want an even stronger garlic flavor, you can mince the garlic instead of slicing it.
  • 2 pieces of parchment paper: This recipe makes 2 servings, but feel free to increase to fit your needs! You’ll need a piece of parchment paper for each piece of salmon you’re baking.

 

How to Make Salmon en Papillote:

Start by placing a parchment sheet on a baking sheet. The piece of parchment paper should be big enough to wrap around the salmon filet. Again, you’ll need make a parchment packet for each salmon fillet.

Next, place half of the snow peas on one half of the piece of parchment paper.

Put a salmon fillet on top of the snow peas.

Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.

Finally, place half of the lemon slices and garlic slices on top of the salmon.

Creasing the piece of parchment paper on the baking sheet.
Fold parchment paper in half over the fish and make a nice, sharp crease.

Starting to fold the piece of parchment paper up.
Now it’s time the seal the parchment!

Start folding over small pieces of the parchment and crease them.

Making small folds along the edge of the piece of parchment paper to seal the salmon en papillote.
Continue along the open edge of the parchment, folding and creasing as you go…

The salmon fillet on a baking sheet all wrapped up in a piece of parchment paper.
…until the parchment paper pouch is completely sealed! You want a nice tight seal.

Repeat with the remaining ingredients.

Transfer the sheet pan to a preheated 350 degree F (176 C) oven.

Bake until each piece of salmon flakes easily.

This is probably the most difficult part of cooking in parchment – you would have to tear open your package to see if it’s done baking.

Judging by the thickness of my filet, I was pretty certain it would be perfect in 16 minutes.

You can also just stick an instant read thermometer into the fillet through the parchment paper to check for doneness.

Opening up a Salmon en Papillote.
Open your packet and enjoy!

This is a fun way for kids to enjoy salmon since everyone gets their own packet to open!

It can also impress dinner guests because if feels fancy to serve individual fish packets. 

Salmon en Papillote: A salmon filet in a piece of parchment paper with snow peas underneath and slices of lemon on top.

NOTE: Some links are affiliate. All opinions are my own. If you click a link and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission. This has zero impact on the price you pay, and it helps Buttered Side Up out! 

Variations and Substitutions:

There are endless flavor combinations when it comes to Salmon en Papillote! I definitely encourage you to use your imagination, but here some ideas to get the creative juices flowing!

  • Fresh herbs: Fresh dill, rosemary, or thyme would be really lovely!
  • Different Vegetables: Instead of snow peas, you can use any vegetable that cooks quickly. For example, you could use bell peppers sliced thinly, asparagus, thinly sliced onion, mushrooms, thin green beans, etc.
  • Oils and Butters: My basic recipe doesn’t call for an oil, but feel free to drizzle a little olive oil on top of the salmon. You could also use thin slices of butter, or even compound butter! Yum!
  • Different Seasonings: The other day I baked salmon with soy sauce, coconut aminos, garlic powder, and ginger powder. Yummy! Don’t be afraid to try other seasonings as well!

What to Serve with Salmon en Papillote:

Now arguably the little packets could be a meal all by themselves. But I prefer to have a starch with my meal. Here are some ideas:

  • White Rice: Make sure to check out my post about why I eat white rice instead of brown rice in case you have questions!
  • Mashed potatoes: So basic, but so good. Here’s my sour cream and dill mashed potatoes in case you’re looking for a fun variation on a classic.
  • Root vegetables: You could roast up or boil carrots or parsnips or turnips.
  • Sweet potatoes: You could either roast them or mash them.
  • Roasted Little Potatoes: These are SO good and would go so well with this salmon.
  • Squash: Another great way to get in your carbs is with squash. It’s a complex carbohydrate, and it’s delicious! 

A salmon filet in a piece of parchment paper with snow peas underneath and slices of lemon on top.

How to Pronounce Papillote:

From research I have done, it’s pronounced “pah-pee-YOTE” — my French readers can correct me if I’m wrong!

Notes:

  • If you use snow peas, they will definitely still be crunchy by the time the salmon is done cooking. If you prefer your peas tender, you should sauté them on the stove instead.
  • Also, my fillets were pretty thin. If your fillets are much thicker, you’ll want to increase the cooking time.

More Main Dish Recipes:


Recipe Card

Salmon in a parchment paper packet with snow peas underneath and lemon slices on top.
5 from 1 vote
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Salmon en Papillote

Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword Fish, Salmon
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 16 minutes
Servings 2 people
Calories 150 kcal
Author Erica Lea

Ingredients

  • 1 cup snow peas or any other quick-cooking vegetable (asparagus would be nice)
  • 2 thin salmon fillets skins removed
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 organic lemon thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic sliced

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit (176° Celsius).

  2. Place a piece of parchment paper on a rimmed baking sheet. On one half of the piece of parchment, place 1/2 cup snow peas. Place a salmon filet on top and season to taste with salt and pepper. Top with the lemon and garlic slices.

  3. Fold the parchment over the salmon and seal the edges by making small folds all around the open edge.

  4. Bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes (I baked mine for 16), or until the salmon flakes easily (USDA recommends cooking until thickest part of salmon registers 145° F, but this will result in drier salmon).

    A salmon filet in a piece of parchment paper with snow peas underneath and slices of lemon on top.
  5. Remove from oven and let rest for a minute or two. Serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

  • Adapted from Martha Stewart.
  • If you use snow peas, they will definitely still be crunchy by the time the salmon is done cooking. If you prefer your peas tender, you should sauté them on the stove instead.
  • Also, my fillets were pretty thin. If your fillets are much thicker, you'll want to increase the cooking time.

Originally published on April 18, 2016 at 10:00

 

Recipe Rating




Dakota

Monday 25th of April 2022

This is simply mouth-watering, Erica! I love how all of the ingredients are just sitting in my pantry. I like how there's less condiments involved since I prefer my salmon lightly seasoned. I'm excited to try this out tomorrow for dinner. I have a thicker slice of salmon onhand. I'm wondering how often you should check if the salmon is already cooked? Thank you!

Erica Kastner

Monday 2nd of May 2022

I would say to go ahead and check at the 15 minute mark. If you're nowhere close, you could go 5 extra minutes. If you're getting moderately close, go 3 minutes. And if it's really close, 1-2 minutes!

Erica Lea

Tuesday 3rd of May 2016

Mmhmm - love that combo!

Erica Lea

Tuesday 3rd of May 2016

Yay! Thanks for letting me know. :)

Cheryl

Friday 22nd of April 2016

Great combination salmon and lemon!

La Godiche

Thursday 21st of April 2016

Perfect pronunciation :)

Charline