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You know, there’s just something so satisfying about a home-cooked meal, especially when it involves fish. And if you’re anything like me, life gets busy FAST. There was a time when my evenings were a whirlwind of marketing deadlines and the dreaded “what’s for dinner?” question. More often than not, it meant a last-minute scramble or something… well, less than inspiring from a box. That’s why I’m so excited to share this absolute winner: my go-to, foolproof baked salmon recipe. It’s ridiculously simple, packed with flavor, and best of all, it’s wonderfully healthy. Trust me, this is the kind of recipe that proves delicious dinners don’t need to be complicated – something I learned firsthand after years in the kitchen, trying to make real food work for my real, hectic life. It’s all about simple, joyful, and always delicious food, just like my grandma taught me.
- Why You'll Love This Easy Baked Salmon
- Ingredients for the Best Baked Salmon
- How to Prepare Your Baked Salmon
- Tips for Perfect Baked Salmon Every Time
- Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Serving Suggestions for Your Baked Salmon
- Frequently Asked Questions about Baked Salmon
- Nutritional Information (Estimated)
- Share Your Delicious Baked Salmon Creation!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Baked Salmon
Seriously, this recipe is a lifesaver! It’s:
- Super Speedy: Ready in about 25 minutes, start to finish. Perfect for those busy weeknights!
- Incredibly Simple: Minimal prep means less time fussing and more time enjoying.
- Packed with Flavor: Bright lemon, fragrant herbs, and garlicky goodness make this salmon sing.
- Healthy & Wholesome: A fantastic ‘healthy salmon recipe’ that’s good for you and tastes amazing.
- Foolproof: It turns out flaky and moist every single time. No more dry salmon!
Ingredients for the Best Baked Salmon
Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this fantastic baked salmon. It’s pretty straightforward, using good stuff you likely already have!
- 1.5 lbs salmon fillet (a nice center-cut piece works beautifully)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (good quality makes a difference!)
- 1 lemon, sliced thinly (save a few for garnish if you like!)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (don’t skimp on the garlic!)
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (or dried, if that’s all you have)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (ditto on the dried option)
- Salt, to taste (kosher salt or sea salt is great)
- Black pepper, to taste (freshly ground is always best!)
How to Prepare Your Baked Salmon
Alright, let’s get this salmon in the oven! It’s so easy, you’ll be wondering why you ever hesitated to bake salmon at home. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a beautiful, flaky centerpiece for dinner in no time. If you’re looking for a good way to serve up a weeknight meal from our weeknight dinners category, this is it!
Preheating and Prep for Oven Roasted Salmon
First things first, let’s get that oven nice and hot. You want to preheat it to 400°F (200°C). This ensures your ‘oven roasted salmon’ cooks evenly and quickly. While the oven heats up, grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. This is my little trick for making cleanup a breeze and preventing any sticking. Just drape it over the sheet, and you’re ready for the star of the show!
Seasoning and Assembling Your Baked Salmon
Now for the fun part! Place your salmon fillet right onto that parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle it all over with that lovely olive oil, then sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Get it into all the nooks and crannies! Next, scatter that minced garlic like little flavor bombs all over the top. Then, arrange those thin lemon slices so they nestle on top of the salmon – they’ll bake down and give it such a bright, fantastic taste. Finally, sprinkle your chopped fresh dill and parsley all over everything. It smells amazing already, doesn’t it?
Baking Time and Doneness for Flaky Baked Salmon
Into the hot oven it goes! You’ll want to bake your ‘baked salmon’ for about 12 to 15 minutes. The exact time can vary a bit depending on the thickness of your fillet, so keep an eye on it. You’ll know it’s perfectly done when it flakes easily with a fork. Just gently press down with your fork on the thickest part, and it should pull apart into lovely, moist pieces. Avoid the temptation to overcook it – nobody likes dry salmon!
Tips for Perfect Baked Salmon Every Time
Okay, so baking salmon might seem intimidating, but trust me, it’s so easy once you get the hang of it! The number one thing I always tell people is to use good quality salmon – it really does make a difference in taste and texture. And please, please, *please* don’t overcook it! That’s the biggest mistake, and it turns that beautiful flaky fillet into something dry and sad. My secret for avoiding that is to check it *just* before the timer goes off. If it’s close, give it another minute or two, looking for that perfect flake. For extra flavor, a little splash of white wine in the pan before baking is divine!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Sometimes you just gotta work with what you’ve got in the pantry, right? If you don’t have those lovely fresh dill and parsley sprigs on hand, no worries! About 1 teaspoon of dried dill and 1 teaspoon of dried parsley will do the trick just fine. Just crumble them in with your other seasonings. As for the olive oil, any decent light olive oil or even avocado oil works beautifully here. The key is just a little bit of healthy fat to help everything bake up nicely and keep the salmon moist.
Serving Suggestions for Your Baked Salmon
This easy baked salmon is so versatile, it goes with almost anything! For a complete, satisfying meal, I love serving it with some simple roasted veggies. Asparagus, broccoli, or even some quick-roasting baby potatoes tossed with a little olive oil and herbs are fantastic. If you’re looking for something lighter, a crisp side salad is always a winner. We’ve got tons of great ideas in our side dish category, and don’t forget to check out our soups and salads too! And of course, it’s the perfect centerpiece for a truly ‘healthy salmon recipe’ that feels like a treat.
Frequently Asked Questions about Baked Salmon
Got questions about whipping up this ‘easy baked salmon’? I totally get it! Salmon can be a bit finicky sometimes, but don’t you worry, I’ve got you covered with the answers to some common kitchen quandaries.
Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?
You absolutely can use frozen salmon! The most important thing is to make sure it’s properly thawed before you start. The best way to do this is to take it out of the freezer and let it thaw slowly in the refrigerator overnight. If you’re in a real pinch, you can thaw it in a sealed bag submerged in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes or so. Just be sure it’s fully thawed and no longer icy in the center before you season and bake it!
What’s the best oven temperature for baking salmon?
For a beautiful, perfectly cooked piece of salmon, the sweet spot is usually around 400°F (200°C), just like in this recipe! This temperature gets the outside nicely cooked without drying out the inside too quickly. You want a nice, hot oven so the salmon cooks evenly and gets that lovely flaky texture we’re after. It’s really a fantastic temperature for ‘oven roasted salmon’ in general!
How do I know when my salmon is cooked through?
The biggest sign is that it flakes apart easily with a fork! When you gently press down on the thickest part of the fillet with your fork, it should separate into moist, opaque pieces. You’ll see a beautiful pinkish-white color throughout. If it still looks translucent or sticks together tightly, it needs a few more minutes. Just keep an eye on it; overcooking is the main culprit for dry salmon!
How long can I store leftover baked salmon?
Leftover baked salmon is best enjoyed within 1-2 days. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’s still delicious cold on salads or even flaked into other dishes, but reheating can sometimes dry it out a bit, so just warm it gently if you do. Enjoying it fresh is always the treat, though!
Nutritional Information (Estimated)
Just a heads-up, this information is an estimate, okay? It can totally change depending on the exact size of your salmon fillet and the specific brands of ingredients you use, but this gives you a pretty good idea:
Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 250
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Protein: 30g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Share Your Delicious Baked Salmon Creation!
I just love seeing what you all make in your kitchens! If you try this easy baked salmon, please leave a comment below and tell me how it turned out. Did you add any fun twists? I’d be tickled pink to hear all about it! And if you snap a pic, tag me on social media – I can’t wait to see your beautiful fish! You can also reach out through my contact page if you have any questions.
PrintEasy Baked Salmon with Lemon and Herbs
A simple and healthy baked salmon recipe that is perfect for a weeknight dinner. This recipe is quick to prepare and results in flaky, moist salmon with a bright lemon and herb flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Total Time: 25 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs salmon fillet
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the salmon fillet on the prepared baking sheet.
- Drizzle the salmon with olive oil.
- Season generously with salt and black pepper.
- Scatter the minced garlic over the salmon.
- Arrange the lemon slices on top of the salmon.
- Sprinkle the chopped dill and parsley over the salmon.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add a splash of white wine to the baking sheet before baking.
- If you don’t have fresh herbs, you can use 1 teaspoon of dried dill and 1 teaspoon of dried parsley.
- This recipe pairs well with roasted vegetables or a simple side salad.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg