Oven Baked Salmon Recipe
on Dec 06, 2023, Updated Mar 14, 2024
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Oven-Baked Salmon is a fantastic dish that’s healthy, easy to make, and delicious. It’s perfect for family dinners or when you want to impress your friends with your cooking skills. Experiment with different flavors and find your favorite way to enjoy this versatile fish!
Salmon seems to be a universal favorite. When perfectly cooked, its rich flavor and satisfying texture make it a delightful treat. However, the trick with salmon lies in avoiding overcooking; otherwise, it turns into a dry, crumbly mess. Despite its seemingly mysterious nature, salmon is actually one of the simplest, healthiest, and most delicious proteins to master in the kitchen.
Opt for a sizable salmon portion instead of individual fillets when baking in the oven. A larger piece of salmon is less prone to drying out during the cooking process, making it a forgiving choice compared to smaller fillets. You have the option to choose salmon with the skin still on or opt for skinless salmon. I chose salmon with the skin intact because it acts as an additional safeguard against overcooking, helping to preserve the salmon’s moisture and flavor.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Prepare: This recipe is beginner-friendly, making it perfect for families to enjoy together. It doesn’t require advanced cooking skills.
- Versatile: You can season salmon with various herbs, spices, and sauces to suit your taste buds, making it a versatile dish that everyone can enjoy.
- Delicious Flavor: Salmon has a mild, slightly sweet taste that many people find delightful. Baking it in the oven enhances its natural flavors.
- Quick Cooking Time: Salmon cooks relatively quickly in the oven, so you won’t have to wait too long to enjoy your meal.
Recipe Ingredients
- Salmon Fillets : The main ingredient, offering a rich, flaky texture and essential omega-3 fatty acids.
- Salted Butter : Adds creamy richness and a hint of saltiness to enhance the salmon’s flavor.
- Paprika (1 Teaspoon): Gives a sweet and earthy taste with a touch of color.
- Lemon Pepper (1 Teaspoon): Offers a zesty, citrusy kick with a peppery note.
- Garlic Powder (½ Teaspoon): Provides a concentrated and savory garlic flavor.
- Onion Powder (½ Teaspoon): Adds a sweet and slightly sharp onion taste.
- Salt (½ Teaspoon): Essential for flavor enhancement and seasoning balance.
- Fresh Lemon Juice (2 Tablespoons): Injects a tangy freshness, perfectly complementing the salmon.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Popular Substitutions and Variations
- Experiment with various sauces like teriyaki, lemon butter, or honey mustard to give your baked salmon a unique twist.
- Get creative with your seasonings. Try dill, rosemary, thyme, or paprika to add exciting flavors to your salmon.
- You can also stuff your salmon with ingredients like spinach and feta or crabmeat for an extra special treat.
How to Make Oven Baked Salmon
Step #1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil. Unpack the salmon fillet, rinse it, and pat it dry with a paper towel. Then, place the salmon on the prepared cookie sheet.
Step #2. Use a pastry brush to gently brush the cooled, melted butter over the salmon fillet.
Step #3. In a small bowl, mix together paprika, lemon pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Evenly sprinkle this seasoning mix over the buttered salmon, gently pressing it onto the fish to adhere. Then, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the salmon.
Step #4. Bake the salmon in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches around 145 degrees F. Once done, serve and enjoy your delicious oven-baked salmon!
Recipe FAQs
Bake for about 15-20 minutes at 375°F (190°C) or until it flakes easily with a fork.
Absolutely! The skin gets crispy and adds extra flavor.
Yes, just make sure to thaw it completely in the fridge before baking.
Expert Tips
- I used a whole filet I got from Sam’s Club. You can definitely use smaller sizes or even frozen ones. Just make sure they are fully thawed before.
- Don’t overthink this recipe. The flavor of the seasoning with the flakiness of the salmon is perfect.
- Use the salmon leftovers in various recipes. Try cutting it into pieces and add to a salad, or pasta with pesto or make a salmon dip.
- Keep an eye on your salmon. Overcooked salmon can be dry.
What Should I Serve with Baked Salmon
Baked salmon pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. Light and healthy options like roasted vegetables or a crisp green salad complement its richness well. For something more substantial, consider instant pot quinoa, couscous, or roasted potatoes. A simple, light pasta can also be a great accompaniment. Enhance the meal with a creamy dill sauce or a fresh yogurt dip, and consider serving easy fresh bread or a baguette to soak up the delicious flavors. Finish with a garnish of lemon slices and fresh herbs for an extra zest. These choices create a balanced and satisfying meal that enhances the salmon’s natural flavors.
More Seafood Recipes To Consider
Seafood Recipes
Grilled Fish (Perfect Fillets!)
Seafood Recipes
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Seafood Recipes
Best Fish Batter Recipe for Battered Fried Fish
From Scratch Recipes
Simple Shrimp Fajitas
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Oven Baked Salmon Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds salmon, fillets, skin on
- 2 tablespoons salted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, about the juice from half a lemon
Instructions
- Begin by preheating your oven to a steady 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). This temperature is ideal for cooking the salmon evenly without drying it out.
- Take a cookie sheet and line it meticulously with aluminum foil. This not only helps in easy cleanup but also prevents the salmon from sticking to the sheet.
- Carefully unpack the salmon fillet. Under cold running water, gently rinse the fillet to clean off any residual scales or debris. After rinsing, use paper towels to pat the salmon dry thoroughly. This step is crucial for helping the butter and seasonings adhere to the salmon.
- Place the salmon fillet onto the lined cookie sheet, skin-side down. This positioning ensures even cooking and easy serving.
- With a pastry brush, tenderly brush the salmon with cooled, melted butter. Ensure an even coating, as this will infuse moisture and richness into the fillet during baking.
- In a small bowl, blend together the paprika, lemon pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. This combination will create a flavorful crust on the salmon.
- Sprinkle the mixed seasonings generously over the buttered salmon. Use your fingers to gently press the seasoning onto the fillet, ensuring it sticks well and covers the surface evenly.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice evenly over the seasoned salmon.
- Place the cookie sheet in the preheated oven. Bake the salmon for 18 to 20 minutes. Check for doneness by ensuring the internal temperature reaches approximately 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 degrees Celsius). The salmon should be flaky yet moist.
- Once baked to perfection, remove the salmon from the oven. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This rest period allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring each bite is moist and flavorful. Serve the delicious, aromatic salmon and enjoy the burst of flavors!
Notes
- I used a whole filet I got from Sam’s Club. You can definitely use smaller sizes or even frozen ones. Just make sure they are fully thawed before.
- Don’t overthink this recipe. The flavor of the seasoning with the flakiness of the salmon is perfect.
- Side dish: Serve with asparagus, roasted vegetables, or a side salad.
- Use leftovers: Cut into pieces and add to a salad, or pasta, or make a salmon dip.
- Storage: After the salmon is completely cooled down, place it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days.
I have prepared salmon in many different ways, and I think this might be the best!
This recipe is delicious, easy and quick. I made a bourbon sauce to top off after baking and elimated the lemon on the salmon to bake. So wonderful