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Baked Salmon

Easy Oven Baked Salmon


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4 from 1 review

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

This oven baked salmon recipe perfectly seasoned, bursting with flavor, and ready in just 20 minutes! It’s ideal for busy weeknights or a quick meal to impress.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 pounds or 4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets, wild caught if possible*
  • Olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Allow the salmon to come to room temperature (or brine it**). 
  2. Place a large sheet of aluminum foil on a baking sheet and brush it with olive oil. Pat each piece of salmon dry and place it on the foil skin side down. Brush with olive oil. Sprinkle the salmon with the kosher salt evenly divided among the fillets.
  3. In a medium bowl, mix together the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and cumin. Sprinkle the mixture evenly on top of the fillets. 
  4. Bake the salmon for 10 to 16 minutes, depending on thickness, until just tender and pink at the center (the internal temperature should be between 125 to 130°F in the center). A 1-inch thick fillet should cook in about 15 minutes total. For a crispy top, when the salmon is at 115°F, broil for about 2 minutes (about the last 2 minutes of the cook time).

Notes

*Lemon salmon variation: Go to Lemon Salmon. Or, brush a medium baking dish with olive oil, add the slices of 1 lemon, and drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil (or salted butter, cut into pats). Place the salmon on top of the lemons and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon kosher salt divided among the fillets. In a medium bowl, mix 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, and 1/2 teaspoon dried dill, then sprinkle the mixture evenly over the fillets. Bake in the salmon manner as Step 4 above, then spoon over the sauce in the pan before serving.

**Brine the salmon (optional): While the oven preheats, in a shallow dish mix together 4 cups room temperature water and 3 tablespoons kosher salt. Place the salmon in the water and wait for 15 minutes (this should be about the time it takes to preheat).

  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Seafood
  • Diet: Gluten Free