This is by far the easiest and best baked salmon recipe to make any night of the week! Tender fillets are lightly coated with a simple blend of fresh herbs. seasoning and lemon, then oven roasted to moist and flaky perfection in under 15 minutes. Enjoy with your favorite sides for a satisfying dinner made with minimal effort!
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About this Baked Salmon Recipe
Wholesome and delicious salmon fillets are always a great idea for a dinner. While there are many ways to prepare this healthy fish, cooking salmon in the oven is definitely my choice method... It's quick with little prep work, and is basically fail-proof!
This easy oven baked salmon recipe requires only a sheet pan and less than 30 minutes to make. It starts with a simple blend of olive oil, garlic, dried spices and fresh herbs, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Then the marinade is brushed right onto the fillets before roasting, with no tedious marinating time needed.
Top with lemon slices and pop in the oven, and in less than 15 minutes the tender fish is ready to serve with your favorite side dishes!
*For more quick and healthy dishes, be sure to try these fantastic recipes:
- Chicken Barley Soup
- Asian Salmon with Sesame Ginger Soy Sauce
- Quick and Easy Oven Roasted Asparagus
- Chicken and Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad
Ingredients
Salmon fillets: Fresh or previously frozen and thawed, and patted dry. Continue reading for handy tips on how to properly thaw frozen fish.
Olive oil: A smooth, flavorful oil that's lovely for roasting. Alternatively you can use other high heat cooking oils, like avocado or canola oil.
Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed is best. This adds bright, tangy flavor to the fish.
Garlic cloves: Savory, earthy, and pungent. Fresh minced garlic is great to pair with mild salmon.
Spices and herbs: I used my homemade Italian Seasoning (feel free to use store bought), fresh dill, fresh parsley, salt and pepper combine for a bold but cozy taste.
Lemon slices: Baking the salmon fillets with slices of lemon really infuses the meat with a kick of sweet acidity.
How to bake salmon in the oven?
1. Preheat the oven at 400°F and line the rimmed baking sheet pan with foil. Pat dry salmon fillets with paper towel and place them on a lined sheet pan with skin side down.
2. Combine olive oil, lemon juice, pressed garlic, Italian seasoning, dill, parsley, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
3. Spoon the prepared marinade generously over the top and sides of the salmon fillets, and top each fillets with lemon slices.
4. Bake salmon for 12-14 minutes with last 1-2 minutes of grilling or broiling (optional) until cooked through and flaky. Remove the salmon from oven and allow it to rest for 3-4 minutes, before serving.
5. Garnish the cooked salmon with chopped fresh parsley, dill and serve along with veggies, or sides of choice.
Expert Tips
- Leave the skin on the salmon fillets while baking. The skin helps to lock in the moisture for fork-flaky meat.
- Keep an eye towards the end of baking... Thick fillets may take longer to cook and thinner fillets cook faster.
- Avoid over baking and remove the fish right when it becomes firm. Overcooked fish will become chewy. Even if it does not look entirely done at first, remember that it will continue to cook as it rests for a few minutes.
FAQs
Thaw the fish in its wrapping overnight in the refrigerator. Place on a plate or in a shallow dish to catch the moisture.
Alternatively, you can defrost the fillets in a bowl of cold water for 2 hours on the counter just before baking.
The ideal roasting temperature range is between 375 degrees F - 400 degrees F. I find baking salmon at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) is best for 12-14 minutes, with last 2 minutes of broiling/grilling for perfectly crisp and golden edges.
Cooked salmon fillets will turn opaque pink from red. Check the temperature at the thickest part of the fillet: the internal temperature of fully cooked salmon reaches between 125 degrees F - 135 degrees F on a food thermometer.
Seasonings for Salmon
We use a combination of Italian spices and fresh herbs in this healthy baked salmon recipe. However, feel free to mix things up and use whatever spices you like!
Here are just a few ideas for flavorful salmon seasonings to get you started:
- Peri peri
- Cajun
- Fajita
- Lemon pepper seasoning
- Curry powder or spice blend
- Ground cumin - plus ground fennel is a great combo
- Ras el hanout
- Dried herbs like thyme, oregano, or basil with garlic powder
- Cayenne pepper
- Smoked paprika
- Mustard powder
Serving Ideas
Flavorful, moist and flaky salmon is a standout main with nearly any sides!
Enjoy with dinner side dishes like Roasted Fingerling Potatoes and Roasted Potatoes and Carrots, Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes, or a rich Alfredo sauce with fettuccine. Or keep things simple and serve with filling grains like couscous, quinoa, risotto, rice, or other pasta noodles.
These fillets are also great to pair with Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries or classic russet potato fries for a casual but delicious easy dinner. Or top these baked fillets of salmon with delicious salsa of your choice!
For a healthy and hearty meal you can serve as a lean protein on fresh salads. Add baked salmon fillets to a Caesar salad, Mixed Green Salad, or Kale Mango Salad. Or simply load a bowl with your favorite greens, salad goodies, a chilled fillet and your choice of dressing!
Because this dish is so easy to customize, it's also fantastic to enjoy with any number of sauces and dips. Depending on your choice of seasonings you can serve alongside a cup of Greek Tzatziki Sauce or Tahini Sauce, tartar sauce, Hoisin Sauce, or any dip you like.
Storage & Freezing
To store leftovers: Once the fillets cool transfer them to a sealed container. Keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To freeze baked salmon: After the salmon cools place in a plastic zipper bag, making sure to squeeze all of the air out. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Meal prep tip: Whether keeping in the fridge or freezer, I suggest storing each fillet separate from one another and other components. This will keep the salmon fresh tasting for longer and let you take out on portion at a time.
To reheat: Baked and frozen salmon should be thawed in the fridge overnight. When ready to enjoy, briefly reheat in a microwave or in the oven on low, just until warmed throughout. Keep a close eye so that you do not overcook the fish!
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📖 Recipe
Oven Baked Salmon Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 Salmon Fillets (6 ounce each, at room temperature)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 ½ tablespoons Lemon Juice
- 3 Garlic Cloves (pressed)
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- ½ tablespoon Fresh Dill
- ½ tablespoon Fresh parsley
- ¾ teaspoon Salt (or to taste)
- ¼ Freshly Ground pepper (or to taste )
- Few Lemon Slices
Instructions
- Preheat the oven at 400°F and line the rimmed baking sheet pan with foil. Pat dry salmon fillets with paper towel and place them on a lined sheet pan with skin side down.
- Combine olive oil, lemon juice, pressed garlic, Italian seasoning, dill, parsley, salt an pepper in a small bowl.
- Spoon the prepared marinade generously over the top and sides of the salmon fillets, and top each fillets with lemon slices.
- Bake salmon for 12-14 minutes with last 1-2 minutes of grilling or broiling (optional) until cooked through and flaky. Remove the salmon from oven and allow it to rest for 3-4 minutes, before serving.
- Garnish the cooked salmon with chopped fresh parsley, dill and serve along with veggies, or sides of choice.
Notes
- Leave the skin on the salmon fillets while baking. The skin helps to lock in the moisture for fork-flaky meat.
- Keep an eye towards the end of baking... Thick fillets may take longer to cook and thinner fillets cook faster.
- Avoid over baking and remove the fish right when it becomes firm. Overcooked fish will become chewy. Even if it does not look entirely done at first, remember that it will continue to cook as it rests for a few minutes
- Store leftover fillets in a sealed container and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- After the salmon cools place in a plastic zipper bag, making sure to squeeze all of the air out. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Baked and frozen salmon should be thawed in the fridge overnight. Briefly reheat in a microwave or in the oven on low, just until warmed throughout
- Meal prep tip: Whether keeping in the fridge or freezer, I suggest storing each fillet separate from one another and other components. This will keep the salmon fresh tasting for longer and let you take out on portion at a time.
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