Perfectly Baked Salmon: A Simple and Delicious Recipe

This Oven Baked Salmon is tender and flavorful, featuring a zesty crust enhanced by an ideal mix of spices. This straightforward recipe is both simple to prepare and utterly delicious!

Recipe Information

I enjoy preparing this Oven Baked Salmon because it’s straightforward, nutritious, and absolutely mouthwatering. I usually keep some salmon seasoning on hand, making it easy to whip this up for a quick weeknight dinner. This dish is a hit with my family thanks to its adaptability and simplicity.

• TASTE: The citrus notes from the lemon combined with the bold garlic create a delightful flavor profile for this Oven Baked Salmon. The seasoning blend adds the perfect touch of saltiness, sweetness, and spice.
• TEXTURE: Baked in the oven, this salmon forms a lovely crust on the outside while staying succulent within. It’s also wonderfully flaky.
• TIME: Preparing this dish takes less than thirty minutes.
• EASE: This is a one-pan recipe that is simple and straightforward. With just a handful of ingredients, it’s manageable even for those who don’t often cook fish.

Required Ingredients

Ingredient Insights

• Salmon- Opt for fillets that are either skin-on or skinless, but ensure they are deboned. Look out for any pin bones that might have been overlooked during processing.
• Salmon seasoning- This blend features an array of herbs that are salty, sweet, and spicy. You could also choose a premade seasoning mix.
• Lemon- Adds bright and zesty notes that enhance the salmon’s taste.
• Olive oil- Assists in the seasoning adhering to the salmon and in forming a nice crust.
• Garlic- Fresh garlic cloves, either pressed or grated, offer the best flavor for this fish dish.
• Sea salt- This flaky variety dissolves quickly on the fish’s surface, although it is optional if you prefer a less salty salmon.

Additions and Alternatives

• Diverse seasonings- Since this recipe is quite flexible, you can experiment with garlic salt, herbs de Provence, Italian seasoning, black pepper, or dill.
• Oil substitutes- Instead of olive oil, consider using soy sauce, Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, or melted butter to coat the salmon for extra flavor.
• Sweeten it up- Try adding brown sugar or honey to the salmon for a touch of sweetness, which pairs nicely with sea salt or soy sauce.

Steps to Prepare Oven Baked Salmon

• Prepare seasoning. If creating your own salmon seasoning, first mix the ingredients in a small bowl.
• Add oil and garlic to salmon. Pat the salmon dry with a paper towel, then place it on a baking sheet or in a deep baking dish. Brush with olive oil and press or zest the garlic over the fish, distributing it evenly on the top and sides.
• Season salmon. Generously sprinkle the salmon seasoning and sea salt (if desired) over the top and sides of the fish.
• Bake. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and will bake the salmon for approximately 13-16 minutes, or until it’s easily flaked with a fork. The baking time may vary based on the thickness of the salmon fillet. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and enjoy!

Pro Tip: You can prepare this recipe using a whole (uncut) salmon fillet. I prefer to cut mine into pieces to simplify serving.

Recipe Tips

• Pat the salmon dry- Drying the salmon helps the oil stick to the fish instead of rolling off, as oil and water do not mix.
• Avoid seasoning the bottom- There’s no need to season the bottom of the salmon because the skin will typically be there and will be removed post-cooking.
• Use a thermometer for doneness- To ensure it’s fully cooked, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest section of the salmon; it should register at least 145°F.

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