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
Baking salmon is as easy as 1-2-3!
- Prep.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place salmon in a dry pan or baking sheet.
- 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.
- Serve.
Remove salmon from pan right away and serve.
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
- Plain, seasoned with salt and pepper
- Lemon Garlic Salmon with herbs (as seen in the photo)
- Asian glazed salmon, as shown in this Asian Salmon Rice Bowl
- Blackened Salmon with Cajun spices
- Using a premade marinade or sauce like teriyaki or sweet chili sauce
- Add Tzatziki, Muhammara, Thai Peanut Sauce, Chipotle Corn Salsa, or Gremolata to the salmon AFTER it’s baked.
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:
- On top of a beautiful bed of Eggplant Caponata
- With Garlic Naan Bread
- In an Asian Salmon Rice Bowl
- With Crispy Brussels Sprouts With Candied Bacon
- With Roasted Garlic Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- On top of a Green Goddess Salad
- On top of Creamy Lemon Pasta
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
450 degrees is the magic number for moist, tender baked salmon ever time.
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.
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).
Yes! Add a few minutes to the bake time. There’s no need to thaw it.
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!
- Asian Salmon Rice Bowl
- Blackened Salmon
- Simple Poached Salmon
- The Ultimate Smoked Salmon Avocado Toast
- Healthy, Fresh Salmon Burgers
- Lemon Garlic Salmon
- 2-Minute Pan Seared 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.
