Description
This Best Baked Salmon Recipe is a simple and flavorful way to prepare tender, flaky salmon fillets with a zesty lemon and herb marinade. Quick to prepare and bake, it’s perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner or elegant meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon and Marinade
- 1 1/2 lb salmon fillet, cut into 4 filets
- 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp extra light olive oil, or vegetable oil
- 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 3 garlic cloves, minced, pressed, or grated
- 1/2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper, freshly cracked
- 1/2 lemon, sliced into 4 rings for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with a silicone liner, parchment paper, or foil to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Arrange Salmon: Place the salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet skin-side down, ensuring they are spaced evenly for even cooking.
- Prepare Marinade: In a small bowl, combine the fresh parsley, minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, sea salt, and black pepper. Stir well to create a smooth marinade.
- Apply Marinade: Generously brush the marinade over the top and sides of each salmon fillet, ensuring each piece is well coated for maximum flavor.
- Add Lemon Garnish: Top each salmon filet with a slice of lemon. This adds a fresh zest and beautiful presentation.
- Bake the Salmon: Bake the salmon uncovered at 450°F for 15 minutes or until the fish is just cooked through, flakes easily, and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F at the thickest part when checked with an instant-read thermometer. Avoid overcooking to keep it moist and tender.
Notes
- Bake the salmon immediately after applying the glaze, as letting it sit will start cooking the fish with the lemon juice, resulting in a tougher texture.
- There is no need for a lengthy marinating time; the glaze should be applied right before baking for best results.
- If you don’t have instant-read thermometer, check doneness by flaking the salmon with a fork – it should flake easily but still feel moist.
- You can substitute fresh parsley with dried parsley if needed, but use half the quantity to avoid overpowering the dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 filet (about 6 oz)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
