Set raw salmon fillets on parchment paper in the slow cooker. A few ingredients later? Wow

For kids or picky eaters, you can dial back the lemon by using half the lemon slices and adding a drizzle of honey (about 1–2 teaspoons) to the butter mixture for a slightly sweeter, gentler flavor. If your family loves garlic, double the garlic and sprinkle a little grated Parmesan over the salmon right before serving.

For a lighter version, reduce the butter to 2 tablespoons and replace the rest with chicken or vegetable broth; you’ll still get a nice sauce without as much richness. To make it more of a complete meal in one pot, tuck a few thinly sliced baby potatoes or carrot coins under the parchment (not directly under the thickest part of the salmon so they have room to cook) and season them with a pinch of salt and pepper—they’ll soak up the lemon butter as they steam.

You can also swap parsley for fresh dill or chives for a different herb twist. If you’re cooking for a crowd, use individual parchment squares to make little salmon packets side by side in a larger slow cooker, then let everyone open their own “present” at the table, which makes dinner feel fun and special for kids and adults alike.