Oven Baked Salmon

Drizzling more sauce over freshly baked salmon.

These moist and flaky salmon filets are generously seasoned with a spicy kick and a lemony flourish. It's one of those easy, never-fail-you recipes that packs a real flavor punch.

Course Main

Cuisine American

Diet Gluten Free

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Servings

Calories 289kcal

Author Imma

Ingredients

2 pounds (900g) salmon fillets
3-4 tablespoons (42-56g) unsalted butter
2-3 teaspoons (6-8g) minced garlic
1 tablespoon (7g) onion powder
1 tablespoon (7g) paprika
½-1 teaspoon (1-2g) cayenne pepper (optional)
2-3 tablespoons (7-10g) fresh parsley or basil (minced)
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon (15ml) or more lemon juice

Instructions

Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 400ºF (205℃). Line a baking sheet with foil or baking paper, like I did, spray with cooking spray or lightly oil. Set aside.
Make 4-5 slits in each salmon fillet with a sharp knife. Dab both sides of the salmon dry with paper towels, and season both sides with salt and pepper.
Heat a small pan over medium-low heat. Melt the butter, then add minced garlic, paprika, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and parsley or basil. Stir for 30 seconds to a minute. Let this mixture sit for a little bit, about 5 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice.
Brush the salmon fillets with the mixture, covering every inch.
Bake until cooked through, 10-15 minutes, depending on the salmon's thickness and your preferred doneness. The salmon is perfectly cooked when the thickest part easily flakes with a fork.
Garnish immediately with lemon slices and serve.

Notes

Season just before cooking to keep the salt from pulling out too much moisture.
While the FDA advises an internal temperature of 145°F (62℃), most chefs and pro-home cooks prefer 125-130°F (50-55℃). The higher the temperature, the drier the fish.
Let the filets rest for 5 minutes after removing them from the oven. Residual heat will continue cooking it for a few minutes, and the juices will reabsorb into the meat.
Please remember that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.

Nutrition