My favorite way to bake salmon is at a high temperature, locking in moisture, for the best baked salmon every time! Learn how to bake salmon in a few easy steps.
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Learning how to bake salmon is one of those essential cooking skills! I always use this baked salmon trick. Whether you want Lemon Garlic Salmon, Maple Glazed Salmon, a pre-made marinade, or a Blackened Salmon rub, this method will never let you down!
Want to learn how long to bake salmon, at what temperature, and when the salmon is done? This recipe covers it all!
Looking for a different way of cooking salmon? Try Poached Salmon and Grilled Salmon!
Why You’ll Love This Baked Salmon
- 20-minute easy recipe
- Customizable, with seasonings and sauces of your choice
- Makes great leftovers!
Ingredients
- Salmon fillets – salmon fillets are the most common cut of salmon that you can get at pretty much any grocery store or fish market.
- Marinade or topping of choice – you can choose a premade marinade or make your own marinade or topping.
My Pro Tip
Tips for Choosing the Best Salmon
When shopping for salmon, you can usually buy either wild-caught or farmed-raised. Wild-caught salmon is typically more nutrient-dense and more sustainable, whereas farmed salmon is more affordable and available year-round. Look for vibrant, consistent color and firm, moist flesh, avoiding any fish with discoloration, slimy texture, or a strong fishy smell. Fresh salmon should have a mild sea smell. Frozen salmon is also a good option if you don’t plan on using the fish in a day or two from purchase!
How Long to Bake Salmon
Baking salmon is as easy as 1-2-3!
- Prep.
Preheat oven to 450°F. Place salmon in a dry pan or baking sheet.
- Bake.
Bake salmon for 14-18 minutes at 450°F, depending on how thick your salmon fillets are. If you’re adding a topping, add it with about 5 minutes left of the bake time. Salmon is done when the center starts to flake, or the internal temp reaches 135-145°F.
- Serve.
Remove salmon from pan right away and serve.
My Pro Tip
Tips for Perfectly Baked Salmon
Baking salmon at a high temp (450°F) locks in the moisture of the salmon.
If you marinated your salmon ahead of time, add the marinated salmon right to your pan, and bake!
If you did not marinate your salmon but have a topping that you’d like to add, add it towards the end of the baking process depending on how caramelized you’d like the topping to be.
I recommend about 1/4 pound of salmon per person for a side dish, and about a 1/2 pound per person for a main dish.
FAQs
You can totally leave the salmon skin on or take it off depending on your preference! It is completely edible. If you’d like to leave it on, grease your baking dish before adding your salmon.
450°F is the magic number for moist, tender baked salmon every time.
You can test salmon in the thickest part with a thermometer, or use a fork to test whether the salmon is starting to flake and is opaque (not translucent). The internal temperature should be between 135-145°F (the USDA recommends 145°F).
Once cooled, cover salmon in the fridge until you’re ready to enjoy it chilled or reheated. Salmon keeps very well in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Reheat salmon in a 300°F oven, wrapped in foil, until warm (about 10-15 minutes).
More Salmon Recipes You’ll Love!
Easy Weeknight Dinners
Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon (Easy!)
Appetizers
Fresh Salmon Croquettes
Easy Weeknight Dinners
Salmon Salad (With Lemon & Dill)
Appetizers
Smoked Salmon Salad
Easy Weeknight Dinners
Fresh Salmon Burgers
If you’ve tried this Baked Salmon Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please let me know in the comments below. I love hearing from you. Please consider leaving a 🌟 star rating while you are here!
Best Baked Salmon Recipe (How Long to Bake Salmon)
Ingredients
- Salmon fillets
- Marinade or topping of choice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F. Place salmon in a dry pan or baking sheet.
- Bake salmon for 14-18 minutes, depending on how thick your salmon fillets are. If you’re adding a topping, add it with about 5 minutes left of the bake time. Salmon is done when the center starts to flake, or the internal temp reaches 135-145°F.
- Remove salmon from pan right away and serve.
Video
Notes
- Here’s the lemon garlic salmon with herbs (shown in the photo) if you’re looking for a topping idea! More topping and marinade ideas in the post above.
- Nutrition information reflects 1 pound of salmon cut into 4 servings without any toppings/marinades.
- If you marinated your salmon ahead of time, add the marinated salmon right to your pan, and bake!
- If you did not marinate your salmon but have a topping that you’d like to add, add it towards the end of the baking process depending on how caramelized you’d like the topping to be.
- I recommend about 1/4 pound of salmon per person for a side dish, and about a 1/2 pound per person for a main dish.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
