Baked Salmon (Easy & Flaky!) Recipe
This easy baked salmon recipe yields perfectly flaky, moist fillets infused with fresh herbs and a zesty lemon garlic marinade. Ideal for a quick and healthy weeknight dinner, the salmon is seasoned simply and baked to your preferred doneness at 400°F, delivering tender and flavorful results every time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon
- 4 6-oz salmon fillets
Marinade and Seasoning
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic (minced or crushed)
- 1 tbsp fresh dill (chopped)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Lemon slices (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius) to ensure it’s hot enough for baking the salmon perfectly.
- Prepare Marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, chopped dill, and parsley to form a flavorful herb marinade.
- Arrange Salmon: Place the salmon fillets on a baking dish or baking sheet with some space between each piece. Pat the fillets dry with paper towels to help the seasoning adhere better.
- Season Fillets: Brush both sides of the salmon fillets generously with the olive oil marinade. Sprinkle sea salt and black pepper evenly on both sides. If desired, place a thin lemon slice on top of each fillet for added flavor and presentation.
- Bake: Bake the salmon in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness. Use a thermometer to check internal temperature: 120-125°F for medium rare, 130°F for medium, 135°F for medium well, or 140-145°F for well done. For perfectly moist and flaky salmon, 135-140°F is recommended.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh, sashimi-grade salmon fillets.
- Patting the fillets dry before seasoning helps achieve a better crust and flavor absorption.
- Adjust lemon juice and fresh herbs according to your taste preference.
- Use a meat thermometer to check salmon doneness for perfect texture without overcooking.
- Lemon slices are optional but add a nice aromatic finish.
- Leftover baked salmon makes a great addition to salads or sandwiches the next day.
Keywords: baked salmon, easy salmon recipe, flaky salmon, healthy salmon, lemon garlic salmon, herb salmon, quick dinner, seafood baking
