Get a tasty and healthy family dinner on the table quickly with this easy oven-baked salmon recipe. Simply seasoned, this salmon is quick to prep and cook and is ready to serve in 20 minutes. This is a great go-to recipe after a long day!
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When I'm in need of a quick and easy weeknight dinner, fish is often my go-to because it cooks so quickly. This easy oven-baked salmon recipe is no different!
Salmon takes minutes to prep and the short cooking time is hands-off, so it's a great option when you want to spend minimal time in the kitchen! Cooking salmon in the oven results in delicious and flaky fish.
This is also a great healthy option for the whole family, high in protein and omega-3s, but low in saturated fat and carbs, this is a tasty way to get the goodness in.
What are you waiting for?!
Be sure to try my Oven-Baked Fish and my Air Fryer Salmon Patties too!
How to oven bake salmon
- Preheat the oven to 425 Fahrenheit and prepare a sheet pan by lining it with foil paper.
- Pat the salmon dry and rub the oil over the flesh side of the salmon. Season the salmon with salt and pepper.
- Place salmon, skin-side down, on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes. (4-6 minutes per ½ inch salmon).
- Bake until salmon is cooked through.
Why oven bake salmon?
Oven baking is a great hands-off method for cooking salmon, just pop it in the oven, set a timer and it's ready to serve. The clean-up is a breeze too, as you just have to throw the foil away - what more do you need from a weeknight dinner?!
I do also love to cook it in the air fryer, be sure to check out my air fryer salmon recipe for another quick and easy method.
Can you bake salmon from frozen?
I always prefer to use fresh, rather than frozen, fish. When fish freezes it tends to hold on to a lot of water which can make the fish mushy rather than flakey, however, it is more convenient.
If using frozen salmon, thaw the fillets fully in the fridge overnight. As with fresh, pat them dry with kitchen paper before seasoning, this is especially important when using frozen as you don't want it to be waterlogged.
How to know salmon is done?
Salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork. You could also check the doneness of the salmon by using a quick read thermometer. I prefer to cook my salmon to medium doneness, which is about 120 - 125 degrees Fahrenheit and results in moist, tender, and flaky salmon.
Take note of carry-over cooking when baking salmon. Once your salmon is removed from the oven, allow it to rest for about 5 minutes. The temperature will continue to rise a few degrees.
What is the best Salmon to Bake?
There are many types of salmon you could buy, but farmed Atlantic, Alaskan, or sockeye salmon is what I usually have access to. All cuts of salmon can be roasted following the method below.
If using sockeye salmon, lower the cooking time as sockeye salmon is leaner and thinner and tends to dry out quickly.
What do you serve it with?
This easy oven-baked salmon is great to serve with salads, vegetables, grains, and potato sides for a filling meal. Try it with:
Recipe Variations
This easy oven baked salmon is simply seasoned with a little salt and pepper. You can easily add other seasonings to suit your tastes. My homemade fish seasoning is perfect to use or rub on a little paprika or some fresh herbs. This oven baking method is also great for other types of fish like cod or tilapia. Cooking times may vary slightly.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- You can use skin on or skin off fillets for this recipe. I prefer to use skin on as it tends to be cheaper and the flesh easily seprates from the skin after cooking.
- Line you baking sheet with foil or parchment. This will mean your fish won't stick to the baking sheet and the clean up will be extra easy.
- Pat the salmon dry before seasoning. This helps to remove excess water that can cause the fish to be soft and mushy.
- The salmon is cooked when it is pink and opaque in color. It should easily flake with a fork.
More Fish Recipes
Easy Oven Baked Salmon
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs salmon
- 1-2 teaspoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425F and prepare a sheet pan by lining it with foil paper.
- Pat the salmon dry and rub the oil over the flesh side of the salmon. Season the salmon with salt and pepper.
- Place salmon, skin-side down, on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes. (4-6 minutes per ½ inch salmon).
- Bake until salmon is cooked through.
Notes
- You can use skin on or skin off fillets for this recipe.
- Line you baking sheet with foil or parchment. This will mean your fish won't stick to the baking sheet and the clean up will be extra easy.
- Pat the salmon dry before seasoning. This helps to remove excess water that can cause the fish to be soft and mushy.
- The salmon is cooked when it is pink and opaque in color. It should easily flake with a fork.
Vajendra Desai says
I LOVE SALMON BUT DONT LIKE ALUMINIUM IN MY BODY
CAN WE USE PARCHMENT PAPER INSTEAD?
Tanya says
Hi Vajendra, yes, you can use parchment paper.