Easy Baked Salmon Recipe
- By Amy Dong
- Updated May. 24, 2024
This Baked Salmon, using simple sheet pan is a deliciously quick and easy weeknight meal that’s healthy and flavorful. This easy salmon recipe only needs 15 minutes.
In This Article
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1-Minute Video: Baked Salmon Recipe
The Easiest Baked Salmon
An easy, flavorful baked salmon on a sheet pan? We’re talking minimal prep, minimal dirty dishes, and maximum healthy-deliciousness in under 30 minutes. This lemony baked salmon is absolutely for daily weeknight occasions. Looking for more easy ways to cook salmon? Try this salmon in the air fryer recipe!
Why You’ll Love This
- It’s crazy easy and deliciously tender and flavorful
- You really only spent 20 minutes on it.
- It’s restaurant quality salmon, but way more affordable and totally manageable.
- There’s basically zero cleanup.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Fresh basil is a unique addition to this simple baked salmon, and lends a fabulous flavor profile
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice and lemon zest are key; bottled lemon juice is not recommended.
- Basic pantry seasonings such as garlic, kosher salt, and freshly ground pepper to bring all the flavors alive.
Easy Sheet Pan Method
- For most sheet pan dinners, you’ll want to use a sturdy, large sheet pan with rims to prevent any spillage of savory juices onto the bottom of your oven.
- Avoid flimsy or thin metal pans.
- Always line with heavy duty foil and grease it prior to placing ingredients on it. This helps with super easy clean up, without any food sticking to the foil. When you’re finished cooking, just fold up the used foil and toss away.
How Long to Bake Salmon
This lemon salmon needs only 15 minutes on the sheet pan total. From start to finish, this broiled salmon comes together in about 20 minutes. You’ll roast your salmon on a large sheet pan for 10 minutes and then finish it off with a 5-minute high broil for gorgeous browning and color.
Pro Tips For perfect Results
- Use salmon that’s about 1-inch thick; if it’s thinner than that, please lessen cook time to ensure your beautiful salmon isn’t overcooked.
- As a rule, always use paper towels to pat dry your fish prior to adding seasonings. It’s tempting to skip that part, but don’t skip it. Removing excess moisture from your fish is important for both flavor and browning results.
- Watch closely when your salmon is under the broiler, ensuring even browning without burning.
- Let finished dish rest at room temperature for 5 minutes before serving, to retain juiciness.
Try this Marinated seared ahi tuna, too
Did you make this?
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Easy Baked Salmon
Ingredients
- 2 lb salmon fillet, about 1-inch thick
- Zest of 1 large lemon
- Juice of half of the lemon
- 2 TB freshly chopped basil leaves
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 2 TB extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for pan
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 375F with rack on lower middle position. Line a large sheet pan with foil and grease the foil with some olive oil. Set aside.
- Remove Moisture: Use paper towels to pat-dry the salmon fillet, ensuring that all excess moisture is removed (this step is important, as excess water/moisture causes fish to be "steamed" instead.) Place salmon on the prepared sheet pan.
- Mix Seasonings: In a small bowl, stir together all remaining ingredients until combined. Evenly press the mixture over the top of salmon.
- Bake: Bake salmon for 10 minutes in preheated oven. Carefully but quickly take salmon out, move rack to top position underneath the broiler, and place salmon tray back on rack.
- Broil: Broil on high for up to 5 minutes or until top is nicely browned, but watch carefully for even browning without burning. Remove from heat immediately. Serve with extra slices of lemon.
Notes
- This lemon basil salmon is amazing with Easy Rice Pilaf with Mushrooms or this 20-Minute Lemon Spinach Orzo Salad
- If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and give it a rating ♡
Nutrition (per serving)
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