Oven Baked Salmon is a juicy, healthy, and flavor-loaded seafood dish. It is typically made with salmon fillets, basic seasoning spices, lemon juice, olive oil, and herbs, and baked at the perfect temperature in the oven.
This Oven Baked Salmon is one of the best and easiest to make, requiring under 30 minutes, making it a perfect meal for both lunch and dinner. It pairs well with roasted or baked vegetables, simple side dishes, and salads of your choice.
In this post, I have provided a recipe for baking salmon in the oven along with easy-to-follow instructions. Additionally, I have included a detailed video of the recipe to make the cooking process straightforward and easy to understand. This recipe is perfect for anyone looking to make a delicious and healthy meal at home.
Jump to:
What is Baked Salmon?
Oven Baked Salmon is a juicy, succulent, and healthy seafood dish. The dish usually involves marinating salmon fillets in a basic seasoning marinade and then baking them at the right temperature to achieve a juicy and succulent texture. Baking is one of the best and easy ways to cook salmon which delivers a flaky, juicy, and flavorful texture every time.
Not only is baked salmon easy to prepare, but it also offers a range of health benefits. Salmon is a fantastic source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and other essential nutrients. These properties can help improve brain function, lower the risk of heart disease, and promote healthy hair and skin. It's a great choice for anyone who wants a flavorful and nutritious meal that can be cooked up quickly, making it ideal for busy weeknights dinner.
Overall, Baked Salmon is a versatile and satisfying dish that goes well with a variety of vegetable side dishes, rice, or a simple salad. Whether you're looking for an easy healthy dinner that too in under 30 minutes, Baked Salmon is an excellent choice.
Ingredients and Substitutions
To make oven-baked salmon, you'll need a few basic ingredients that are likely already in your pantry. If not, you can easily find them at your local grocery store. So let's see what are they below.
- Salmon Fillets - You can use fresh salmon fillets with or without skin, or even frozen ones that have been thawed to room temperature before marinating
- Seasonings - Basic spice powders like chili powder, black pepper, garlic powder, and salt are essential for flavoring the salmon. I have used dried oregano in the recipe, but you can also use parsley leaves or Italian seasoning if you have those on hand
- Lemon Juice - It gives the salmon a citrusy tangy flavor
- Healthy fats - Olive oil serves as a healthy liquid base for the marinade. If you prefer a richer taste, you can substitute butter for olive oil
- Lemon Slices - Finally, adding lemon slices to the top of the salmon fillets before baking adds an extra zesty touch
For a detailed ingredients list, please check out the recipe card below.
How to Bake Salmon in an Oven?
The recipe I have shared here is Oven Baked Salmon, a healthy and flavorful seafood dish. With a crispy and golden exterior and a juicy and flaky interior, it's hard to resist this delicious meal. It's super easy to make and takes less than 30 minutes, which is perfect for busy weeknights. You can enjoy it with your favorite sides, such as roasted veggies, baked potatoes, or green salads.
Below are the high-level instructions for this recipe, but for detailed step-by-step instructions with photos and a video, please see the recipe card below.
Prep Marinade
- Mix the spices - In a glass bowl, combine chili powder, garlic powder, black pepper powder, oregano, and salt. Mix the ingredients thoroughly to ensure an even distribution of the spices. This creates the base of your salmon marinade
- Add Liquid Base - Add lemon juice and olive oil to the bowl and mix well to combine. Adding this liquid base creates a well-rounded marinade that balances out the strong flavors of the spices
Bake Salmon in Oven
- Preheat the Oven - Preheat your oven to 400°F, giving it enough time to heat up while you prepare the salmon fillets
- Place Salmon - Line a baking tray with parchment paper and grease it with oil to prevent the salmon from sticking and to make it easier to clean up. Place the salmon fillets on the tray, ensuring that they are not touching each other to ensure even cooking
- Brush the Marinade - Spoon 1 teaspoon of the marinade on each fillet and brush it to coat on all sides. Allow the marinade to cover the entire surface of the salmon to absorb all of the flavors
- Bake - Bake the salmon in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until the salmon turns opaque and flaky. Check the doneness using a kitchen thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the thickest part reaches 145°F (63°C) according to FDA
- Remove - Remove the Baked Salmon from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and make the salmon more tender
How long to bake Salmon at 400°F?
I baked the salmon at 400°F for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. To ensure that the salmon is cooked to a safe temperature, I recommend using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The internal temperature should read 145°F, as recommended by the FDA.
You can tell the salmon is cooked, if the flesh is not see-through, and can be separated easily with a fork.
Tips
- Use fresh salmon - Always use fresh salmon that is vibrant in color, without bruising, spots, or dryness. Also, be sure to avoid fishy smells, as these are signs of old fish
- Type of salmon - Use the salmon that is easily available to you. Some of the most common salmon varieties available in markets are sockeye, chinook, pink, and king salmon
- Seasoning - You can use any seasoning you prefer in this recipe, not just the basic seasoning mentioned. Consider experimenting with herbs and spices such as dill, parsley, garlic, or paprika to create different flavor profiles that complement the salmon
- Parchment - To avoid sticking, line your baking tray with parchment paper that has been greased with oil, especially if you're using skin-on salmon fillets
- Temperature - Baking the salmon at the right temperature for the right amount of time will ensure a juicy, succulent result. Be sure to keep an eye on it, so it doesn't overcook and become rubbery in texture
Storage Suggestions
You can store this Baked Salmon fresh for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It's a good option for meal prep for lunch or a busy weeknight dinner.
Serving Suggestions
Baked salmon is a delicious and healthy dish that pairs great with a variety of sides. Here are some best salmon side dish options:
- Roasted vegetables: Roasting vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, zucchini, green beans, brussels sprouts, or carrots are a great complement to Oven Baked Salmon
- Rice or quinoa: White rice, brown rice, basmati rice, or jasmine rice and quinoa
- Salad: A simple salad made with fresh greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a light vinaigrette is a perfect side dish for baked salmon
- Potatoes: Mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, or baked potatoes
- Sautéed Veggies: Sautéed spinach, kale, mushroom, cabbage, and brussels sprouts with garlic and lemon is a quick and easy side dish that pairs the flavors of Baked Salmon
Remember, the side dish you choose will depend on your personal taste and dietary preferences, but these are some options for you to try.
Related Recipes
Looking for a healthy dinner option to please your loved ones? Check out our selection of delicious and nutritious recipes, including a variety of salmon and seafood dishes, as well as other healthy recipes. Browse our categories and find the perfect recipe to make your next meal both satisfying and wholesome.
- Garlic Butter Baked Salmon
- Grilled Salmon
- Honey Glazed Salmon
- Pan Fried Salmon
- Teriyaki Salmon
- Pan Seared Salmon
- Air Fryer Salmon
- Salmon Pasta
- Salmon Patties(Cakes)
- Salmon Tandoori
Oven Baked Salmon Recipe Video
I have also shared a detailed video of this Oven-Baked Salmon Recipe below that I hope will help you to make a healthy and easy meal at home. You can also find this recipe in a story format.
📖 Recipe
Oven Baked Salmon
Ingredients
- 4 fillets Salmon
- 1 tsp Chili Powder
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Black Pepper Powder
- ½ tsp Dried Oregano
- Salt, to taste
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- Lemon Slices, for topping
Instructions
To make Baked Salmon
- In a glass bowl, combine the chili powder, garlic powder, black pepper powder, oregano, and salt. Mix the ingredients well to ensure even distribution. You want the spices to be evenly mixed so that your marinade will have a consistent flavor.
- Add the lemon juice and olive oil to the bowl and mix well to combine. These ingredients will help to balance out the strong flavors of the spices and create a well-rounded marinade. You should have a thick and flavorful sauce at this point
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). This will give your oven enough time to heat up while you prepare the salmon fillets. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and grease it with oil. Place the salmon fillets on the tray
- Spoon 1 teaspoon of the marinade on each fillet and brush it to coat on all sides. You want the marinade to cover the entire surface of the salmon so that it can absorb all of the flavors. Also, place the lemon slices on each fillet
- Bake the salmon in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until the salmon turns opaque and flaky. You can also check the doneness using a kitchen thermometer. The safest internal temperature for salmon is 145°F (63°C) when the thickest part reaches this temperature. Keep an eye on the salmon while it cooks to make sure that it doesn't overcook and become dry
- Remove the baked salmon from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and make the salmon more tender
To Serve
- Serve this healthy oven-baked salmon with your choice of vegetables and rice. You can pair it with roasted or baked vegetables like asparagus, green beans, carrots, broccoli, zucchini, or sautéed spinach, mushrooms, brussels sprouts, or cabbage for a wholesome meal. You can also serve it with white, brown, or basmati rice for a more filling lunch or dinner
Video
Notes
- Use fresh salmon - Always use fresh salmon that is vibrant in color, without bruising, spots, or dryness. Also, be sure to avoid fishy smells, as these are signs of old fish
- Type of salmon - Use the salmon that is easily available to you. Some of the most common salmon varieties available in markets are sockeye, chinook, pink, and king salmon
- Seasoning - You can use any seasoning you prefer in this recipe, not just the basic seasoning mentioned. Consider experimenting with herbs and spices such as dill, parsley, garlic, or paprika to create different flavor profiles that complement the salmon
- Parchment - To avoid sticking, line your baking tray with parchment paper that has been greased with oil, especially if you're using skin-on salmon fillets
- Temperature - Baking the salmon at the right temperature for the right amount of time will ensure a juicy, succulent result. Be sure to keep an eye on it, so it doesn't overcook and become rubbery in texture
Nutrition
FAQ
Baked Salmon is a juicy, succulent, and healthy seafood dish that is typically prepared by marinating salmon fillets in a basic seasoning marinade and then baking them at the appropriate temperature to achieve a flaky, juicy, and flavorful texture. Baking is one of the easiest and best ways to cook salmon. It pairs well with roasted or baked vegetables, simple side dishes, and salads of your choice.
No, flipping the salmon while baking is not necessary. Baking the salmon at the appropriate temperature creates a crispy exterior and a juicy interior, resulting in a delicious meal.
The perfect temperature for baking salmon ranges from 375°F to 400°F. In the recipe shared here, the salmon is baked at 400°F for approximately 15 to 20 minutes, which yields excellent results.
The recipe I have shared here does not involve covering the salmon with foil while baking. However, if you prefer to keep the salmon moist and prevent it from drying out, you may choose to cover it with foil.
I hope you found the recipe enjoyable and I would appreciate hearing about your experience with it.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to comment, and I will do my best to respond promptly. Thank you for reading and happy cooking!
Leave a Review