Oven Baked Salmon – moist and flaky highly seasoned salmon fillets with a lemony and spicy kick. A perfect easy weeknight meal for busy folks or as a low-carb go-to Lenten meal. Spicy, lemony, and moist – everything you want a salmon dinner to be!
This quick and easy salmon dish is just in time for the Lenten season. I can’t think of a better dish during this season for Christians like me, than my all-time fave fish – salmon – which is a very good source of protein. This blog certainly has a wide array of salmon recipes that you can choose from. You can start browsing some salmon recipes through HERE. (You’re welcome! 🙂 )
The closest recipe that I can think of other than this one is this popular Paprika Salmon and Green Beans, but it’s better than that. Oh yesss! Let me tell you why.
Oven Baked Salmon Ingredients
Aside from the herbs and spices like paprika, cayenne pepper, thyme and basil, among others, this Oven Baked Salmon is doused with butter and also the vibrant tang of lemon. Oh I’d never leave my lemons out of this recipe especially now that they’re in season.
That lemony kick is a must on most of my savory dishes especially when dealing with meat and even with my sweet treats. I’m down for anything with lemons. Seriously!
If that already convince you, here’s what you need to make this easy low-carb dinner:
- salmon fillets
- unsalted butter
- garlic
- onion powder
- paprika
- cayenne pepper
- basil
- salt and pepper
- lemons
The thing with using lemons is that they also help achieve a moist flaky salmon inside and out. A beautiful and easy perfect weeknight go-to meal or midweek fancy date night protein.
How Long to Bake Salmon in Oven?
This easy dish doesn’t take that long in the oven. Simply bake these salmon here in a preheated oven at 400 F for about 10-15 minutes. Tasty and healthy dinner in no time!
Take note though that cooking times must be adjusted depending on the thickness of the salmon cut. The US Food and Drug Administration recommends an internal temperature of 145 F to determine that a salmon fillet is cooked enough. You can use a thermometer to check the salmon or use fork testing. Insert a fork into the center of the fillet and slightly twist it. If it comes out flaky, opaque and moist, then you’re all set.
What to Serve with Oven Baked Salmon?
There is so much flavor sitting on top of these salmon fillets that you can serve it with other veggies (like some roasted Brussel sprouts) or simply enjoy it as it is. Below are some of my favorite sides to go along with this easy dinner:
More Low-Carb Fish Dinner Recipes
Watch How to Make It
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How to Bake Salmon in the Oven
Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 400ºF. Line a baking sheet with foil or baking paper, like I did, then spray with cooking spray or lightly oil. Set aside. Using a sharp knife, make about 4-5 slits on salmon OR you can slice it through after cooking. Dab both sides of salmon dry with paper towels, season both sides with salt and pepper.
In a small pan set over medium low heat butter, minced garlic, smoked paprika, onion powder, cayenne pepper, parsley or basil.
Stir for about 30 seconds or 1 minute. Let this mixture sit for a bit, about 5 minutes. Add lemon juice to mixture.
Brush salmon with butter mixture. Bake until cooked through, about 10-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fish and your preference of doneness.
When the thickest part of the salmon is easily flaked with a fork, the salmon is perfectly cooked. Garnish immediately with lemon slices.
Oven Baked Salmon
Ingredients
- 2 pounds (907.18 g) Salmon fillets
- 3-4 tablespoons (42.53 - 56.70 g) unsalted butter
- 2-3 teaspoons (5.60 - 8.40 g) minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon (6.90 g) onion powder
- 1 tablespoon (6.80 g) paprika
- 1/2 -1 teaspoon (1.80 g) cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2-3 tablespoon (5.30 - 15.90 g) fresh parsley, basil
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon (15 g) or more lemon juice
Instructions
- Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 400ºF. Line a baking sheet with foil or baking paper, like I did, spray with cooking spray or lightly oil. Set aside.
- Using a sharp knife, make about 4-5 slits on salmon. Dab both sides of salmon dry with paper towels, season both sides with salt and pepper.
- In a small pan set over medium low heat butter, minced garlic, Paprika, onion powder cayenne pepper and parsley or basil. Stir for about 30 seconds or 1 minute. Let this mixture sit for a little bit about 5 minute. Add lemon juice to mixture.
- Brush salmon with spice mixture, making sure every inch is covered with spice .
- Bake until cooked through, about 10-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fish and your preference of doneness. When the thickest part of the salmon is easily flaked with a fork, the salmon is perfectly cooked.
- Garnish immediately with lemon slices.
Nutrition Information:
Violet says
The BEST salmon I’ve had in my entire life. Literally everyone wanted seconds. And I don’t even usually like fish. Thank you!
Dodie says
My husband likes this SO much that I make it once a week for well more than a year now! Great and easy!
Lu says
I cut up veggies small coated them in the sauce & baked with the salmon. It was a great meal!!! Great recipe & a keeper.
Rivermarket Kitchen says
Looks great! The recipe is quite simple and easy to prepare, added to the menu for this weekend. Hoping to enjoy the best Oven Baked Salmon with my family. Thanks and have a nice day!
Ana D says
Made this last night and it was amazing!!! I’m not a Salmon lover but this won me over. The only thing I changed, experimenting, was the paprika. I did half regular paprika and half smoked paprika.
Thank you for this recipe
ImmaculateBites says
Glad to hear it worked out well for you. Thanks for letting us know
Snness says
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe, it is amazing!
Such a great combination of flavours!
I do add a bit more lemon, because I love the tanginess with the salmon
When I make this, I have enough marinade leftover to toss in some vegetables and roast them together with the salmon.
Barbara Shryack says
I made this for my adult son & I this evening. Just delicious. I will definitely make it again!
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome!! I am so glad you loved it, Barbara. Thank you for the feedback!
Jon Farragher says
We had thicker salmon so cooked for 20 min, but after the first bite my wife said “It’s been a long time since we had a great recipe, write this one down!” It was easy for me to cook and delicious. Definitely a must for a I delicious meal!
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome!! Easy to cook and delicious are my go to ;)! I am so glad this was a hit with you and your wife. Thanks for the feedback, Jon!
Candice says
Loved the recipe! I kept the ingredients for the sauce the same for only 1 lb of salmon and caked on more of the sauce on the fish. Using about 3/4 tsp cayenne it was a little spicy for our young kids, but giving them pieces beneath the sauce worked for them. The sauce was delish, though we live in the Pacific NW with wonderful fresh salmon, and the sauce masked most of the fish flavor. Great for people who don’t like fish, and great for mixing up our usual fish-cooking methods. Next time, I may try
on some chicken.
Emily says
Yummy! We have never had salmon like this before, everyone loved it!
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome!! I am so glad you got to try something new and that it was a hit for you. Thank you for the feedback, Emily!
Sita says
This is such a great recipe. Everyone in my family loves it and so we make it at least once a month.
ImmaculateBites says
Glad to hear this . Thanks
Gabrielle says
This sounds delish! Have you made this in either an air fryer or instant pot? Was wondering about your success.
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Gabrielle! It tastes delish too :).
I haven’t tried making this in an air fryer or instant pot yet. Do let me know how it works out for you :).
Lisa @BestNonToxicCookware says
Great recipe! I made it according to your recipe and the taste is great! Everyone in the family likes it, it makes me happy. Thank you
ImmaculateBites says
And now I am happy too :)! I am so glad this was a hit with your family, Lisa. Thanks for stopping by!
Tabbatha says
Amazing! Served with mango/black bean quinoa!
ImmaculateBites says
Sounds delish!! Thanks for stopping by, Tabbatha!
Donda says
Just looking at it makes me drool, it looks delicious and beautiful. I definitely have to cook this dish right now. Thank you for sharing!
ImmaculateBites says
It tastes delicious too!! 🙂 Do let me know how it works out for you!
Shawn says
I made this recipe and it came out wonderful it reminds of of when I was in Africa and our cook made something like this with barracuda he made a thick paste for it in Sierra Leone!!!
Elizabeth Torres says
Love it! Comes out so delicious and became a top favorite for my husband. He has requested it numerous times. Thank you!
mary says
This was delicious. I have baked salmon numerous ways and this out shinded them all. Definentlya keer.
Thank you
Michelle Norris says
Awesome and a refreshing change! Will definitely make again.
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks for the feedback.
Rick says
Do you slice the skin off the salmon or do you leave the skin on through cooking?
imma africanbites says
Hi, Rick. I left the skin on for this salmon.
Ada says
Always love my salmon,will definitely try your recipe.
Carol says
Second time to make this. I love your recipes and am so happy you share them!
ImmaculateBites says
Aww.. thanks Carol. I love cooking!!!
Donald Laforce says
Quick and dumb question, it says about the fresh parsley, then in quotation marks, it says, basil … which is it or are they the same thing?
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Donald,
They both work just fine .Basil adds strong, pungent, sweet smell. While parsley is more mellow. Add one or both .
Tony Adcroft says
I put 2 parsley and 1 basil worked out fine
BN says
Can I use olive oil instead of butter?
ImmaculateBites says
Yes you can.
Mercedes. says
I just made your recipe and it was easy but most of all the taste was amazing. Even my husband, whom is not a big fan of fish, asked for seconds. Definitely, will keep this recipe. Thank you!
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome! I am so glad this was a hit with your family, Mercedes. Thank you for the review :)!
TRESA WILLIAMS says
Mmm hmmm…that’s good sauce! Love this recipe — thank you!!
Christine says
So easy and good. I used frozen salmon from Aldi’s. Will make again !
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome!Thanks so much.
David Modine says
Really delicious, eating mine now. I only had about 1 1/2 lbs of salmon, but made the full amount of seasoning mix, including 1 tsp Cayenne. The resulting thick covering is wonderful! Thanks for this!
Doris Smith says
The salmon was delicious and I will be making it again. Thanks for recipe.
ImmaculateBites says
That is so good to know! Thanks for stopping by!
Shawn says
Really easy and tasty and I was out of the thyme and onion powder ( I just added chopped onion and sautéed it with the other ingredients).
I’ll be checking out your other recipes!
eatfrysmith says
what is the purpose of cayenne pepper? Why should we use it?
Eu says
You sholdn’t. It’s just a suggestion. You can use whatever you want.
Alex says
This recipe is excellent. My family loved it. Thank you for your simple lucid style of explaining the recipe. Great job!
Andrea says
This salmon was fantastic! I accidentally added garlic salt instead of onion powder, then realized my mistake. I threw out half the butter mix and started over with onion powder, so it was saltier than called for but I loved it anyhow! Added a dash of smoked paprika too. Mmmm. Went perfect with fluffy white rice and sauteed bok choy. Will make again for sure!
Kristine says
Salmon perfection! Follow this recipe to a tee and it your salmon will be delicious! I added one tsp of cayenne and it gives it just the right amount of heat. Even my three year old granddaughter loved it! We all loved it!
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome!So happy to hear that your grand daughter enjoyed it too- Thanks for taking the out to share this with us kristine.
Vicky says
Came out great! I added some pepper flakes and mixed melted butter from the microwave with the dry ingredients instead of cooking over a stove. Popped it in the grill and it was exceptional, going to try it on the bbq next time.
mikermeals says
I have made this several times and always a winner!
Melissa says
I don’t know where to buy cayenne pepper? So much lemonade for what? Thank you
Imma says
Hi Melissa! Ground cayenne pepper should be at most grocery stores but if you can’t find it you can substitute with red pepper flakes or something of that source if you’re a heat seeker! The lemon adds a tang complements the salmon well but if you don’t like it you can certainly omit!
Deb says
Dollar Store.
Barbara Linzey says
Thank you so much , it’s great I will give you a 5star
Dsrose says
This recipe is great! I’ve prepared it twice now and it’s our new family favorite. I’ve added some capers for an extra pop of flavor and my kids use the leftover butter mix on steamed veggies. I’m willing to bet it’s great on chicken too. Thank you for such a yummy recipe 🙂
Marilena says
Interesting way to cook the salmon, I’ll try.
Thanks for sharing.
Alicia says
This recipe is easy and fantastic. Even my hard to impress sister said it was the best salmon she’s ever had! I’m so happy to have come across this.
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome! Happy to hear it worked out well for you Alicia. Thanks for taking time out to share your thoughts with us .