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Easy Baked Salmon Recipe

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.

easy salmon recipe,  lemon basil salmon, lemon salmon, sheet pan salmon
Easy Baked Salmon with Lemon = SO easy and delicious!

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.
easy salmon recipe,  lemon basil salmon, lemon salmon, sheet pan salmon
Use a foil lined sheet pan for easy prepping and cleaning

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.

easy salmon recipe,  lemon basil salmon, lemon salmon, sheet pan salmon
Super easy, flavorful baked salmon is yours.

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?

Please give us a rating and comment below. We love hearing from you!

lemon basil baked salmon

Easy Baked Salmon

5 from 196 ratings
This Baked Salmon with Lemon is a deliciously quick and easy weeknight meal that’s healthy and flavorful. This salmon recipe only needs 15 minutes on the sheet pan.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Author: Amy Dong

Ingredients  

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

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 238kcal | Carbohydrates: 6.1g | Protein: 34.1g | Fat: 9.6g | Saturated Fat: 1.6g | Cholesterol: 77.2mg | Sodium: 313.1mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 2.1g
Course: Main, seafood
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free, Low Calorie, Low Fat
Method: Bake

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