Why hello there, may I impress you with my fancy-looking Baked Salmon? Whether you need a fast, healthy dinner, a meal to wow the crowd, or a simple protein that you can enjoy tonight and eat leftover the next day, this is THE baked salmon recipe for you!

If you’ve been intimidated by cooking fish in the past, I totally get it!

I spent years avoiding buying salmon because I thought it would be too complicated to make, or that worse yet, I’d mess it up and ruin a beautiful piece of fish.

All of that changed after I discovered this easy baking method.

• This easy baked salmon takes less time to prep (five minutes) than I spent sleepily scrolling through Instagram this morning while brushing my teeth (much more than five minutes).
• It’s only five ingredients.
• You can make it with one hand, sip your wine with the other, and pet your dog/kids/loving-but-needy significant other at the same time.

• Best of all: baked salmon tastes INCREDIBLE.

Yes, it feels fancy. It looks fancy. It eats fancy.

Nothing about cooking it is fancy.

Be impressed with yourself anyway!

This baked salmon was the very first salmon I learned to cook with confidence. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve made it since.

It’s become the base of countless easy, delectable salmon recipes like Grilled Salmon in Foil, and it is still a meal I make often, both when I’m cooking for two (Ben and myself) or for a crowd.

It’s also become one of YOUR favorite recipes.

This baked salmon has dozens and dozens of glowing reviews and has been viewed millions of times.

Without further ado: what I (and many of you!) are convinced is the very best baked salmon recipe in the world!

Why Bake Salmon?

Rarely am I so rewarded for so little effort as when I make easy baked salmon. This method is dead simple, but so delicious and so good for you too.

I like to use a foil packet to keep the cooking foolproof.

• The foil locks in moisture and ensures that your beautiful piece of salmon turns out flakey, moist, and tender every single time. You don’t need to have ever cooked a piece of fish in your life to make this recipe with success.
• Foil acts as a flavor incubator. Whatever yummy ingredients you place with the fish in the foil infuse their way into every savory bite.

Don’t want to bake with foil? Make baked salmon in parchment paper instead!

• Follow all of the same recipe steps, but instead of misting the foil with nonstick spray, line the foil sheet with a piece of parchment paper.
• Lay the salmon on the parchment so that it does not touch the foil. Shape the foil packet around the parchment and bake as directed.

Health Benefits of Salmon

• Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, and decrease risk factors for diseases.
• It’s a great source of protein, potassium, and selenium, a mineral that protects bone health, improves thyroid function, and reduces the risk of cancer.
• Salmon can also help reduce the risk of heart disease, aid in weight control, and protect brain health.*

Baked Salmon Seasoning Suggestions

While all you really need for a satisfying piece of baked salmon is salt, pepper, and olive oil, it’s easy to adapt to different herbs and ingredients.

You have plenty of options to keep it exciting and new.

• Baked Salmon with Lemon and Dill. Follow the recipe below, swapping sprigs of dill for the rosemary. You can also use parsley or green onion or both or whatever other herbs in your refrigerator are threatening to turn brown.
• Baked Salmon with Lemon and Butter. No fresh herbs? No problem. Leave them out, and brush the salmon with melted butter instead (I usually do half olive oil/half butter). I don’t recommend dried herbs, as they take away from the freshness of the fish.
• Garlic Butter Salmon. Is there anything on my dinner plate that these two ingredients don’t make better? I didn’t think so.
• Baked Salmon in Pesto. Omit the rosemary. Smother the top of the salmon with pesto and arrange the lemon on top prior to closing the foil packet around it. See this Pesto Salmon for a fillet version.
• Spicy Baked Salmon. Check out this Spicy Salmon, Blackened Salmon, and Buffalo Baked Salmon, all of which have a kick.
• Dry Rub. Use this baked salmon with this Salmon Seasoning or your favorite spice blend.
• Teriyaki Baked Salmon. Asian flavors are wonderful with baked salmon! Check out this Teriyaki Salmon and Soy Ginger Salmon for recipes.
• Baked Salmon with Lemon and Rosemary. The all-purpose version I am sharing with you today!

The Best Temperature for Baking Salmon

Here’s how I determined what temperature is best for baking salmon.

• Generally when I’m making individual pieces of salmon (about 6-ounce fillets), I turn my oven to 400 degrees F or 425 degrees F. It’s the temperature you’ll find used for this Whole30 Salmon and Balsamic Salmon. The smaller portions cook quickly and can stand a higher temperature.
• HOWEVER, I tried making a large side of baked salmon in foil at 400 degrees F (a 2-pound piece like the one you see in these photos) and found that temperature a bit too aggressive.
• For my next round, I did baked salmon at 350 degrees F. It took longer than I’d hoped and didn’t come out *as* moist as I knew it could be.
• The final winner: 375 degrees F for a 2-pound side of salmon.
• The baking time will vary based upon the size and thickness of your salmon. For example, I like to try to buy wild-caught salmon, which in our store usually means sockeye or coho based on inventory. These varieties are thinner and thus cook more quickly.
• If you are using farm-raised salmon (often the case with the popular Atlantic salmon), your side will likely be thicker and need more time.
• For more information baked salmon cook times, see this Baked Salmon Temperature Guide.

How Long to Bake Salmon

• In general, a large (2-pound) side of salmon bakes at 375 degrees F in 15 to 20 minutes. This is the size of the salmon you see in these photos.
• Individual, 6-ounce portions bake in 12 to 14 minutes at 400 degrees F.
• The cooking time can be several minutes longer or shorter depending upon the thickness of your particular piece of salmon.

Tips for Perfectly Baked Salmon

The one major rule of baking salmon in foil is not to overcook the fish.

• Baking salmon in foil or parchment paper does give a little leeway because the foil locks in moisture, but you want to pull it out when it is almost but not quite done at the thickest part.
• A quick pop under the oven broiler will give you a nice, lightly crispy finish on the top of the fish and cook it through the rest of the way.
• If your salmon is almost but not quite cooked and you are worried about overdoing it, you can always remove it from the oven, cover it, then let it rest at room temperature for several minutes until it is done to your liking. 

How to Know When Salmon is Done Baking

The question that scares so many newbies to fish cooking! Here are the best tips to tell when your salmon is done.

• You can check for doneness by taking a sharp knife and peeking into the thickest part of your baked salmon piece. If it is beginning to flake, but still has a little translucency in the middle, it is done, or once your salmon flakes easily with a fork, it’s done.
• Best option: Use an instant read thermometer like this one. The FDA recommends cooking fish to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
• I find that salmon and other fish will continue to “cook” as they rest after being removed from the oven. I typically remove my salmon early (anywhere between 137 and 140 degrees F), cover the salmon with foil, then let it rest for about 5 minutes. The resting time allows the fish to come up to 145 degrees F.

Skin On or Skin Off?

You can make baked salmon with the skin on or off.

• Most of the time, I make baked salmon skin on, because that’s how it’s usually cut at the seafood counter. Leaving the skin on also has the benefit of locking in extra moisture (one more step between you and overcooking the fish).
• After the salmon is baked, the skin comes away easily. You can either remove it from individual pieces before you serve them or avoid eating it after it’s on your plate.
• If you’re planning to serve the salmon to company (or just don’t want to deal with the skin), ask the seafood counter to remove it for you prior to baking the salmon.

Ideas for Leftovers and Reheating

Cooked salmon can be eaten the next day!

• My favorite ways to enjoy leftover cooked salmon leftover are on top of a salad (I eat it cold or let it come to room temperature first), scrambled with eggs, or mixed into a simple pasta. You could also use it in this recipe for Salmon Pasta.
• Store cooked baked salmon in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days.
• If you’d like to reheat the salmon, be slow and gentle so that the salmon doesn’t dry out. I recommend reheating individual portions, either in the microwave on low power, or in a skillet.
• To reheat in a skillet: Let the salmon come to room temperature. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium. Once it is hot, add the salmon and a splash of water, then immediately cover it. Let the salmon steam, just until it is heated through, about 2 to 4 minutes.
• To reheat in the microwave: Let the salmon come to room temperature. Gently warm on medium-low power, just until warmed through.

What to Serve with Baked Salmon in Foil

Even though baked salmon feels like something you should save for a special night in, I am begging you to give it a chance on your everyday/my-life-is-crazy/someone-feed-me hectic weeknights.

These nights deserve balanced, healthy, wonderful-tasting meals just as much as the slower-paced weekend evenings, perhaps even more so.

Since baked salmon is so quick and easy to make, it’s the ideal candidate.

To weeknight fancy!

*Health benefits of salmon mentioned in this article were sourced from Healthline and are meant to be for general information, not any kind of specific medical advice. For specific dietary needs, I always recommend contacting your doctor or seeking professional advice.