Baked Salmon
on Feb 10, 2024, Updated Nov 06, 2024
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This recipe is the best way to get juicy, tender, flavorful Baked Salmon in under an hour! With just a handful of low cost ingredients you can have restaurant-quality salmon without any hassle.
Salmon can be tricky to work with. If you cook it too long then it will be dry and tough. If you add too many spices then you will over power the natural, buttery flavor of the fish. With this baked salmon recipe you don’t have to worry about those problems at all. I have also had great success with making salmon in the Air Fryer.
This recipe features a light spice blend and uses lemon juice to provide a complimentary zest to the fish. The olive oil helps the spices adhere to the fish and also helps give the salmon a beautiful, perfectly cooked crust on the outside.
Being able to use frozen salmon filets will cut down on the cost of the recipe a little bit, but you are more than welcome to use fresh fish if you would like!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It is quick and easy to make.
- Only uses a handful of low cost ingredients.
- Provides an easy way to prep salmon.
Recipe Ingredients
- Salmon Filets—Skinless and frozen.
- Olive Oil—Helps the seasonings adhere to the salmon.
- Lemon Juice— Adds a little bit of zest to the dish. You can use fresh or bottled lemon juice.
- Seasoning Mix—A flavorful mix of pepper, Italian seasoning, salt, and oregano.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Baked Salmon
Step #1. Preheat oven and prepare the needed ingredients.
Step #2. Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, and spice mix until homogeneous.
Step #3. Pour the whisked mixture over the salmon and use your hands or a paper towel to rub the mixture into each filet.
Step #4. Transfer your filets to a baking sheet and cook until soft and tender. Your salmon should reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
Recipe FAQs
If you are cooking salmon that still has the skin attached then you will want to cook it with the skin facing down so that the meat of the salmon does most of the cooking. However, since we suggest using skinless salmon in this recipe you can cook it either way. Since there won’t be any skin to obstruct the cooking you can place it on your baking sheet face up or face down.
While you can technically reheat your salmon in both the microwave and the oven we recommend using the oven. Heating your leftovers in the oven allows you to cover the salmon in tin foil, which will prevent the fish from drying out. This method takes longer than zapping your fish in the microwave, but it is worth it if you have time to spare.
It is really up to you! We have used both fresh and frozen salmon without noticing a major difference in flavor. With that being said, it is important to note that fresh salmon will come with a shorter cook time than frozen salmon. We like to lower the cook time by about 5 minutes when using fresh salmon to make sure it does not overcook and dry out.
Expert Tips
- If you aren’t sure your salmon is finished cooking then you can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Ideally, you want your salmon to reach 145°F.
- You can use bottled lemon juice if you don’t have any lemons available. Make sure you use about ½ cup of lemon juice either way.
- To switch up the flavor of your salmon, try replacing the spice mix with lemon pepper seasoning.
- For some extra lemon flavor, try adding the zest of one lemon to your coating mixture.
- We found frozen salmon easier to find at our local grocery store, but you can also use fresh salmon. If you are using fresh salmon filets then your fish will cook about 5 minutes faster.
How to Serve Baked Salmon
This salmon is rich, savory, and high in protein! As a result, it makes a great entree and will be the star of any meal. Since this dish is so rich, we like to serve it alongside some lighter sides. Some of our favorites include asparagus, a side salad, wild grain rice, and roasted cauliflower.
How to Reheat Your Salmon
The best way to reheat your salmon is in the oven, not the microwave. This will prevent your salmon from drying out as it reheats.
Simply transfer your salmon filets wrapped in tin foil to a baking sheet and cook for 15 minutes at 300°F. Keeping the salmon wrapped in tin foil will prevent moisture from escaping and keep the fish tender.
More Seafood Dishes to Consider
Seafood Recipes
Grilled Fish (Perfect Fillets!)
Seafood Recipes
Shrimp Stir Fry
Seafood Recipes
Best Fish Batter Recipe for Battered Fried Fish
From Scratch Recipes
Simple Shrimp Fajitas
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Baked Salmon
Ingredients
- 4 frozen salmon filets, about 1 pound
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 large lemon, freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400.
- Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, black pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic salt, and oregano in a small bowl.
- Pour the mixture over the salmon filets and then transfer the filets to a baking sheet.
- Cook your salmon for 20 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- If you aren’t sure your salmon is done then you can use a meat thermometer to take the internal temp. Your salmon should reach 160.
- You can use bottled lemon juice if you don’t have any lemons. You want about 1/2 cup of lemon juice.
- You can replace the spices with lemon pepper seasoning for a different flavor profile.
- Store your salmon in the fridge for up to 3 days wrapped in tin foil and stored in an airtight container.
- Reheat your salmon in the oven for about 20 minutes at 300.
- For extra lemon flavor you can add the zest of one lemon to your mix.
