Description
This Oven Baked Salmon recipe offers a delicious, easy, and perfectly seasoned way to enjoy whole salmon fillet. Featuring a buttery garlic topping blended with Italian seasoning and paprika, this dish bakes gently in the oven to deliver moist, flaky fish that’s ideal for dinner or a special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 (2-pound) whole salmon fillet skin-on preferred
- 3 tablespoons melted butter or olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- Ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Salmon: Heat oven to 375°F. Place a large piece of foil on a rimmed baking sheet and set the salmon fillet on top, skin side down and pink side up. Crimp the edges of the foil around the salmon to make a little “boat” to hold juices.
- Mix and Apply Seasoning: Combine melted butter and minced garlic together. Brush half of this garlic butter mixture evenly over the salmon. In a separate bowl, mix brown sugar, Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper, then sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over the salmon. Drizzle the remaining garlic butter on top.
- Bake the Salmon: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the salmon for 22 minutes to reach the USDA recommended internal temperature of 145°F, or adjust timing based on preferred doneness (around 15 minutes for 125°F–130°F). Halfway through baking, optionally baste the salmon with the juices in the foil to keep it moist.
- Rest and Serve: Remove salmon from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use a whole skin-on side of salmon for less risk of overcooking; alternatively, 4 cut fillets can be baked for 10-15 minutes.
- If fresh garlic is unavailable, substitute with 1 extra teaspoon of dried garlic powder.
- Italian seasoning can be replaced or omitted; oregano or rosemary are great alternatives.
- Let melted butter cool for 5 minutes before brushing to help it thicken and spread more easily.
- Using foil simplifies cleanup and helps retain garlic butter, preventing evaporation and loss of flavor.
- Cook salmon to 125°F for the most succulent texture, allowing it to rest to reach 130°F before serving; USDA recommends minimum 145°F for safety but results in firmer fish.
- Using a food thermometer is highly recommended for precise cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
