Quick and easy Baked Salmon – ready in 15 minutes or less! Delicious as a main dish or an addition to your favorite sandwiches, salads, or pastas!
I have to admit. I’m definitely one of those people who adds protein to most dinners. Whether it’s Pan Fried Chicken, Blackened Shrimp, or Steak Bites, I would always argue that protein makes dinner better.
And this Baked Salmon is no exception! We LOVE adding it to all our favorites, from Fettuccine Alfredo to Caesar Salad and everything in between. Not only is it easy to make and insanely good for you, but it adds so much delicious flavor to any dish! (I can’t wait to try it in my Tomato Sandwich!)
We also love it all on its own, served with our favorite side dishes like Parmesan Roasted Green Beans, Cucumber Salad or Garlic Roasted Asparagus. Not to mention… it’s perfect for meal prep lunches throughout the week!
What You’ll Love About This Baked Salmon Recipe
Basic ingredients: Made with just salmon, olive oil, salt & pepper!
Quick & Easy: It requires little to no prep time and bakes in under 15 minutes.
Versatile: Delicious all on it own or as an addition to any of your favorite dishes!
what you’ll need for this recipe
Salmon – I used 2 pounds of fresh salmon, cut into 4 equal pieces. You can use any type of salmon you prefer, but you’ll most likely have a few different options to choose from. You may see Alaskan, Atlantic, or Pacific salmon, which tells you the location the fish was caught. You may also have the option of wild salmon or farm raised salmon.
Olive oil – I used 1 Tablespoon of olive oil, which I brushed onto the salmon before baking.
Salt & pepper – I added 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper for seasoning. See “Recipe Variations” below for more suggestions!
which type of salmon is best?
Wild salmon is the best you can buy, not only because it’s environmentally sustainable, but also because it contains more omega-3 fatty acids than farm raised varieties. However, farm raised Atlantic salmon is more affordable and widely available than wild, and today farms have developed technologies that make farming safer and more sustainable for the fish and for the consumers.
how to bake salmon
Prep the baking sheet and oven. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Place the salmon, evenly spaced, on the baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Season the salmon. Brush the salmon with olive oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Bake. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 145°F. Salmon will be opaque and flake easily with a fork when it’s done.
storing & reheating
Leftover salmon can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days after baking. To reheat, place in an oven-safe dish and bake at 300° for about 15 minutes. PRO TIP: To keep salmon moist, place a small pat of butter or a squeeze of lemon juice on top of it before reheating.
Recipe Variations
- Use any type of salmon
- Brush with melted butter instead of olive oil
- Add additional seasonings (Italian Seasoning, Blackened Seasoning, smoked paprika, or Lemon Pepper Seasoning would all be delicious)
- Make it into Air Fryer Salmon
- Add a squeeze of fresh citrus
- Top with fresh herbs after baking
More Recipes to Try
Looking to add more salmon into your dinner rotation? These are some of our favorite EASY salmon recipes:
Baked Salmon
Ingredients
- 2 pounds salmon
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Place the salmon, evenly spaced, on the baking sheet.
- Brush the salmon with olive oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 145°F. Salmon will be opaque and flake easily with a fork when done.
Brandon says
Each bite of this Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia is a delightful experience, featuring tender fish enveloped in a deliciously aromatic garlic butter sauce.
Jaipur says
Made this yesterday. It was so easy and so delicious. Will definitely be making this again.