Recipes » Tips & Tricks » How to Bake Salmon (Best Method)

How to Bake Salmon (Best Method)

Jump to Recipe
5 from 8 votes

My favorite way to bake salmon is at a high temperature, locking in moisture, for the best baked salmon every time!

Learning how to bake salmon is one of those essential cooking skills! I always use this baked salmon trick. Whether you want to top your salmon with lemon and garlic, a pre-made marinade, or a Blackened Salmon rub, this method will never let you down!

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • 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.
How to bake salmon ingredients

How to Bake Salmon

Baking salmon is as easy as 1-2-3!

  1. Prep.

    Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place salmon in a dry pan or baking sheet.

  2. Bake.

    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 degrees.

  3. Serve.

    Remove salmon from pan right away and serve.
    Serve salmon right away while hot!

How to Know When Salmon Is Done Baking

Salmon is done baking when the center of the salmon starts to flake (use a fork to test), or the internal temperature reaches 135-145 degrees (the USDA recommends 145 degrees).

Tips for Baking Salmon

  • Baking salmon at a high temp (450 degrees) 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. 

Baked Salmon Topping Ideas

Lemon garlic salmon

How to Reheat Salmon

Reheat salmon in a 300 degree oven, wrapped in foil, until warm (about 10-15 minutes). You can also serve your salmon chilled, right from the fridge!

What to Serve With Salmon

Serve baked salmon with any of the sauces and toppings mentioned in the section above. Salmon can be served as a main dish, side dish or protein on top of a salad or pasta dish! Here are some ideas:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What temperature is best to bake salmon?

450 degrees is the magic number for moist, tender baked salmon ever time.

How do I store baked salmon?

Once cooled, cover salmon in the fridge until you’re ready to enjoy it chilled or reheated.

How long does salmon last in the fridge?

Salmon keeps very well in the fridge for 3-4 days.

What temp is salmon done?

The USDA recommends baking salmon to 145 degrees. Some people prefer salmon closer to 135 degrees. 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).

Can you cook frozen salmon?

Yes! Add a few minutes to the bake time. There’s no need to thaw it.

Can you freeze baked salmon?

Yes! Let salmon cool before placing cooked salmon in freezer-safe bags and freezing for up to 3 months.

More Salmon Recipes You’ll Love!

How to Bake Salmon (Best Method)

My favorite way to bake salmon is at a high temperature, locking in moisture, for the best baked salmon every time!
5 from 8 votes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Course: Lunch, Main Course, Side Dish, tips & tricks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: any season
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 161kcal
Author: Tastefully Grace

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

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 161kcal | Protein: 22g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 50mg | Potassium: 556mg | Vitamin A: 45IU | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
picture of grace eating

Never Miss A Recipe?

FREE SUBSCRIPTION: SIGN UP TO RECEIVE THE LATEST RECIPES FROM GRACE, PLUS SOME EXCLUSIVE UPDATES ONLY SHARED WITH SUBSCRIBERS!

We don’t spam! Read our Privacy Policy for more info.

Follow:
Share:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Featured On:


Looking for Something?