Garlic Butter Baked Salmon with Juicy Shrimp Roasted Onions

Some dinners feel like a little celebration, even when you’re simply gathering everyone around the table at home. This Garlic Butter Baked Salmon with Juicy Shrimp & Roasted Onions is one of those meals that makes an ordinary evening feel extra special. The moment the garlic butter begins warming in the oven, the kitchen fills with the irresistible aroma of fresh garlic, herbs, lemon, and melted butter.

A beautiful salmon fillet takes center stage, surrounded by plump shrimp and tender onion wedges that soak up every bit of the flavorful sauce. The salmon turns tender and flaky, while the shrimp develop that lovely juicy texture that makes seafood so satisfying. A squeeze of fresh lemon cuts through the richness of the butter, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a bright, fresh finish.

The best part is that everything comes together on one baking tray, making this recipe ideal for family dinners, weekend gatherings, or those evenings when you want something impressive without spending hours in the kitchen. Serve it straight from the oven with your favorite side dish, and get ready for a seafood dinner everyone will want to enjoy again!

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe combines fresh seafood, aromatic seasonings, and a homemade garlic herb butter sauce. Each ingredient brings something special, from the sweetness of the roasted onions to the bright citrus flavor of fresh lemon.

For the Salmon and Shrimp

1 large salmon fillet (about 2 pounds), skin removed if desired
1½ pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on or off
2 large onions, cut into thick wedges
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon salt, or to taste

For the Garlic Herb Butter Sauce

½ cup unsalted butter, melted
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and black pepper, to taste

For Garnishing

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Lemon wedges, for serving

How to Make Garlic Butter Baked Salmon with Shrimp

The secret to this delicious seafood dinner is giving the salmon a little head start before adding the shrimp. This allows the thicker salmon fillet and the onion wedges to begin cooking while helping the shrimp stay tender and juicy.

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Lightly grease a large rimmed baking tray or roasting pan to prevent the seafood and onions from sticking. Choose a tray large enough to hold everything in a single layer so the ingredients cook evenly.

Step 2: Make the Garlic Herb Butter

In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, chopped parsley, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes, if using.

Season with salt and black pepper, then stir everything together until well combined.

The mixture should smell wonderfully fragrant, with the fresh citrus balancing the rich butter and savory garlic. Set aside a moment while you prepare the seafood.

Step 3: Season the Salmon

Place the salmon fillet in the center of the prepared baking tray.

Drizzle it with olive oil, then sprinkle the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper over the surface.

Gently rub the seasonings across the top so the salmon is evenly coated.

These simple spices create a lovely savory flavor that pairs beautifully with the buttery lemon sauce.

Step 4: Arrange the Onion Wedges

Place the thick onion wedges around the salmon, spreading them out as evenly as possible.

Spoon a little of the garlic herb butter over the salmon and onions, allowing the butter to coat the surfaces.

As the onions roast, they soften and become naturally sweet, soaking up the garlic, herbs, and buttery juices from the tray.

Step 5: Give the Salmon a Head Start

Transfer the tray to the preheated oven and bake for 8–10 minutes.

This first stage gives the salmon and onions a head start before the shrimp are added.

While the tray is in the oven, the garlic butter begins to mingle with the seasonings, and the onions start to soften around the edges.

Step 6: Add the Shrimp

Carefully remove the tray from the oven.

Arrange the peeled and deveined shrimp around the salmon and between the onion wedges, spreading them into a single layer as much as possible.

Pour the remaining garlic herb butter sauce over the shrimp, salmon, and onions, making sure the shrimp are coated with plenty of that flavorful mixture.

The combination of pink shrimp, fresh onions, and golden butter already looks inviting, and the final minutes in the oven will bring everything together.

Step 7: Bake Until the Seafood Is Perfectly Cooked

Return the tray to the oven and bake for another 8–12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon and the size of the shrimp.

The salmon should become opaque and flake easily with a fork, while the shrimp should turn opaque and pearly pink.

For food safety, cook the salmon to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C), checking the thickest part with a food thermometer. Avoid leaving the shrimp in the oven longer than necessary, as overcooking can make them firm and rubbery.

The finished seafood should be tender, moist, and coated in the fragrant garlic butter sauce.

Step 8: Spoon Over the Garlic Butter Sauce

Once the seafood is cooked, carefully remove the tray from the oven.

Using a spoon, drizzle the buttery juices from the tray over the salmon and shrimp. This final baste adds extra flavor and gives the seafood a beautiful, glossy finish.

Make sure to spoon some of the sauce over the roasted onions, too. They absorb the savory garlic and herbs and become a delicious part of the dish.

Step 9: Add Fresh Parsley and Lemon

Sprinkle the remaining chopped fresh parsley over the entire tray.

Arrange lemon wedges around the salmon and shrimp so everyone can squeeze a little fresh juice over their portion.

The bright citrus flavor balances the richness of the butter and makes every bite taste fresh and vibrant.

Step 10: Serve While Warm

Bring the tray to the table while the seafood is still warm and the garlic butter sauce is fragrant.

Serve generous portions of flaky salmon, juicy shrimp, and tender roasted onions, spooning the buttery sauce over each plate.

Pair everything with fluffy rice, roasted potatoes, or warm crusty bread to make the most of that delicious sauce.

Presentation and Serving Ideas

This recipe is naturally beautiful, so you don’t need much extra effort to make it look impressive. The salmon provides a lovely centerpiece, while the shrimp, golden onion wedges, and fresh parsley add color and texture.

For a family-style dinner, serve the salmon on a large platter with the shrimp and onions arranged around it. Spoon the garlic butter sauce over the top and finish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges.

For individual servings, place a portion of salmon on each plate, arrange several shrimp and roasted onion wedges alongside it, and drizzle the garlic butter juices over everything just before serving.

Here are a few delicious ways to complete the meal:

Steamed white rice: A simple, fluffy side that absorbs the rich garlic butter sauce beautifully.
Roasted baby potatoes: Their golden, crisp edges complement the tender seafood.
Warm crusty bread: Perfect for dipping into every last bit of the buttery lemon sauce.
Steamed asparagus or green beans: Fresh green vegetables bring color and balance to the meal.
A crisp garden salad: A refreshing option with a light lemon dressing to contrast with the rich butter.

For a special occasion, serve the seafood with roasted potatoes and asparagus, then finish each plate with a fresh lemon wedge and a light sprinkle of parsley.

Helpful Tips for the Best Results

Don’t overcook the shrimp. Add them after the salmon has started baking, as directed. They cook quickly, and removing the tray as soon as both seafood types reach their safe cooking temperatures helps preserve their tender texture.

Choose a salmon fillet of even thickness. A relatively uniform fillet cooks more evenly. If one end is much thinner than the other, check that section early to avoid overcooking it.

Use fresh garlic and lemon. Freshly minced garlic and real lemon juice bring a wonderful aroma and brighter flavor to the butter sauce.

Cut the onions into thick wedges. Larger pieces hold their shape better during roasting and become tender without disappearing into the sauce.

Save those flavorful pan juices. The melted butter, lemon, garlic, and seafood juices create a delicious sauce. Spoon it over the finished dish just before serving.

Adjust the heat to your taste. Red pepper flakes are optional. Leave them out for a milder family-friendly meal or include them for a gentle spicy kick.

Serve immediately. This dish is at its best when the salmon is flaky, the shrimp are tender, and the garlic butter is warm and glossy.

Nutritional Information

🧄🍤 Garlic Butter Baked Salmon with Shrimp & Roasted Onions 🍋🐟

⏰ Prep Time: 15 minutes
🍳 Cooking Time: 20 minutes
⏳ Total Time: 35 minutes
🔥 Calories: Approximately 620 kcal per serving
🍽️ Servings: 6

Nutrition values are estimates based on six servings and may vary depending on the size of the salmon fillet, shrimp, butter quantity, and amount of salt used. Side dishes are not included.

A Seafood Dinner Worth Sharing

There’s a reason garlic butter and seafood make such a wonderful combination. The rich, savory butter brings out the natural flavor of the salmon and shrimp, while fresh lemon, herbs, and roasted onions keep every bite balanced and delicious.

This Garlic Butter Baked Salmon with Juicy Shrimp & Roasted Onions brings all those flavors together in one easy oven-baked meal. It’s comforting enough for a relaxed family dinner but elegant enough to serve when you’re entertaining guests.

And because everything cooks together on one tray, you get an impressive seafood feast without a mountain of dishes to wash afterward.

Serve it with fluffy rice, crispy roasted potatoes, or fresh crusty bread, and let that fragrant garlic butter sauce bring everything together.

If you’re looking for a seafood dinner that’s flavorful, inviting, and surprisingly simple to make, this recipe deserves a place on your menu. Gather your ingredients, preheat the oven, and get ready to enjoy a delicious homemade meal with plenty of buttery garlic goodness! 🍋💛