Transform your dinner table with this Easy Baked Salmon Recipe, a simple yet impressive dish that delivers bold flavors with minimal effort. Brushed with garlic butter and seasoned with a sweet-savory brown sugar spice blend, this Oven Baked Salmon creates a juicy, flaky fillet that’s perfect for weeknight meals or entertaining guests. Whether you’re new to cooking fish or a seasoned pro, this Salmon Recipes Baked Healthy approach makes preparing a whole salmon fillet foolproof and delicious. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a healthy, crowd-pleasing meal that looks as good as it tastes.
In this post, we’ll guide you through making this Easy Baked Salmon Recipe, share tips for perfect results, and suggest serving ideas to complete your meal. Let’s get cooking!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Baked Salmon Recipe
- Bold and Balanced: Garlic butter and a brown sugar spice mix create a perfect sweet-savory crust.
- Effortless Prep: Minimal ingredients and steps make this Oven Baked Salmon ideal for busy nights.
- Healthy and Light: Packed with protein and omega-3s, it’s a nutritious choice for Salmon Recipes Baked Healthy.
- Versatile: Works for casual dinners or fancy gatherings with minimal fuss.
- Juicy Results: Bakes to flaky perfection without drying out.
Ingredients for Easy Baked Salmon Recipe
This Easy Baked Salmon Recipe uses simple ingredients to create a flavorful Oven Baked Salmon. Here’s what you’ll need.
For the Salmon
- Salmon Fillet (2 lb, whole, skin-on): Yields juicy results and prevents sticking.
- Butter (¼ cup, melted): Adds richness; can substitute with olive oil.
- Garlic (3 cloves, minced): Infuses a savory, aromatic flavor.
- Brown Sugar (1 tbsp): Creates a caramelized, sweet crust.
- Italian Seasoning (1 tsp): Adds herbaceous depth.
- Garlic Powder (1 tsp): Enhances the garlic flavor.
- Ground Paprika (1 tsp): Brings a mild, smoky note.
- Salt (½ tsp): Balances the flavors.
- Black Pepper (¼ tsp): Adds a subtle kick.
- Fresh Parsley (chopped, optional): For garnish.
Equipment Needed
- Rimmed baking sheet
- Aluminum foil
- Small bowl
- Silicone brush or spoon
Preparation Guide
Making this Easy Baked Salmon Recipe is quick and straightforward, delivering a stunning Oven Baked Salmon dish. Follow these instructions for perfect results.
Prepare the Salmon
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and fold up the edges slightly to catch drippings.
- Place the salmon fillet skin-side down on the foil.
Make the Garlic Butter
- Mix minced garlic with melted butter in a small bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes to cool slightly and thicken.
- Brush half of the garlic butter over the salmon, covering evenly.
Season the Salmon
- In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Sprinkle the spice mix evenly over the salmon.
- Drizzle the remaining garlic butter over the seasoned fillet.
Bake the Salmon
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, depending on desired doneness, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and looks glossy, not dull.
- Optionally, baste with pan juices halfway through for extra succulence.
- Check internal temperature (125°F-130°F for succulent, 145°F for USDA-recommended doneness).
Garnish and Serve Easy Baked Salmon Recipe
- Sprinkle with chopped parsley (if using) for a fresh, colorful finish.
- Serve immediately, flaking into portions for easy plating.
Chef’s Tips for Perfect Easy Baked Salmon Recipe
- Use Skin-On Fillet: Prevents sticking and keeps the salmon juicy in this Salmon Recipes Baked Healthy dish.
- Don’t Skip Foil: Makes cleanup easy and retains garlic butter for flavor in Oven Baked Salmon.
- Avoid Overcooking: Remove when flaky and glossy (125°F-130°F for best texture) to prevent dryness.
- Cool Butter Slightly: Let melted butter sit briefly for easier brushing and better flavor adhesion.
- Use a Thermometer: A food thermometer ensures precise doneness for this Easy Baked Salmon Recipe.
Serving Suggestions
Make this Easy Baked Salmon Recipe the star of your meal with these serving ideas:
- With Potatoes: Pair with instant pot mashed potatoes or roasted potatoes for a hearty Oven Baked Salmon meal.
- With Veggies: Serve alongside sautéed green beans, roasted asparagus, or air fryer broccoli for a balanced plate.
- With Salads: Complement with a cucumber-tomato-avocado salad or black bean mango salsa for a fresh contrast.
- With Grains: Try with rice, quinoa, or couscous to soak up the flavorful juices.
- Beverage Pairing: Enjoy with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or sparkling water with lemon to enhance this Salmon Recipes Baked Healthy dish.
Storing and Make-Ahead
This Easy Baked Salmon Recipe is best fresh but can be prepped or stored for convenience:
- Store: Place leftover salmon in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Flake into salads or tacos for quick meals.
- Make-Ahead: Prepare the spice mix and garlic butter up to a day ahead; store separately in the fridge. Season and bake just before serving.
- Reheat: Gently reheat in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes or microwave on low power to avoid drying out Oven Baked Salmon.
- Freezing: Wrap cooled, unbaked salmon tightly in plastic wrap and foil; freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before baking.
- Serving Tip: Serve chilled leftovers in wraps or over greens for a refreshing Salmon Recipes Baked Healthy meal.
Variations and Substitutions
Customize this Easy Baked Salmon Recipe to suit your preferences:
- Oil Instead of Butter: Swap butter for olive oil for a dairy-free Oven Baked Salmon with a slightly different flavor.
- Skip Sugar: Omit brown sugar for a fully savory dish; the spices still shine in Salmon Recipes Baked Healthy.
- Herb Swap: Replace Italian seasoning with oregano, rosemary, or dill for a unique twist.
- Spice Variations: Add a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika for heat or smokiness.
- Skinless Fillets: Use skinless salmon, but brush foil with oil to prevent sticking and watch baking time closely.
FAQs About Easy Baked Salmon Recipe
Can I use skinless salmon?
Yes, but brush foil with oil to prevent sticking and check doneness early, as skinless fillets cook faster in this Easy Baked Salmon Recipe.
How do I know when salmon is done?
It’s done when it flakes easily with a fork and looks glossy. Aim for 125°F-130°F for succulent Oven Baked Salmon or 145°F for USDA standards.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Prep the spice mix and garlic butter a day ahead. Bake just before serving for the freshest Salmon Recipes Baked Healthy.
Why is my salmon dry?
Overcooking is the culprit. Remove at 125°F-130°F for juicy results and avoid baking too long in this Easy Baked Salmon Recipe.
Can I freeze baked salmon?
Yes, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating gently to maintain texture.
More summer dinner recipe ideas you’ll love
- Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken
- 3 Ingredient Orange Chicken
- French Dip Sliders
- Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil
- Meatball Sub
Conclusion
This Easy Baked Salmon Recipe is a game-changer, delivering a juicy, flavorful salmon fillet with minimal effort. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, this Oven Baked Salmon combines garlic butter and a sweet-savory spice blend for a healthy, crowd-pleasing dish. Quick to prepare and endlessly versatile, it’s a must-try for anyone craving Salmon Recipes Baked Healthy. Make it tonight and share your experience in the comments below!
Happy cooking!
Easy Baked Salmon Recipe: A Flavorful, Healthy Dinner
Ingredients
- 1 2-pound whole salmon fillet skin-on preferred
- ▢3 tablespoons melted butter OR olive oil
- ▢2 cloves garlic minced
- ▢1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ▢1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ▢1 teaspoon ground paprika
- ▢1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ▢¾ teaspoon salt
- ▢ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep: Heat oven to 375°F. Place a large piece of foil on rimmed baking sheet, place salmon fillet on top (skin side down, pink side up). Crimp edges of foil around salmon to make a little "boat".
- Season: Combine melted butter and minced garlic. Brush half of mixture over salmon. Combine remaining ingredients in a small bowl, evenly sprinkle over salmon. Drizzle with remaining garlic butter.
- Bake: Bake salmon for 15-22 minutes, depending on preferred doneness (see notes for internal temperatures). Baste salmon with juices halfway through baking, if desired. Once done, remove salmon from oven and rest for 5 minutes, then serve.
Notes
Ingredient notes
Salmon: I always use a whole skin-on side of salmon. I like to because it’s much harder to overcook vs single fillets. Feel free to use 4 cut fillets though, and bake them for 10-15 minutes instead. Garlic: If you don’t have fresh garlic, you can use 1 extra teaspoon dried garlic powder. Italian seasoning: I love the flavor this adds, but feel free to leave it out or use a different dried herb (oregano is delicious, so is rosemary).Recipe tips
- I like to stir the garlic into the hot, just-melted butter for the best flavor. I let the butter sit on the counter for 5 minutes to make it cool down a little and get a little thicker in texture to make it easier to brush onto the fish.
- I appreciate that some of you may not want to use aluminium foil, but please know that cleanup can be a real chore if you choose to skip it. You will also potentially lose some of the garlic butter due to more evaporation when it runs all over the baking sheet.
- 15 minutes of baking usually puts a whole salmon fillet at exactly 125°F for me. After 20 minutes, it will be at 140°F. After 22 minutes, at 145°F. See below for recommended temperatures.
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