how long does it take to cook salmon

Best Broiled Salmon

This moist, flavorful, and flakey baked salmon is what weeknight dinners are all virtually! It'south seriously the easiest recipe to make – all you demand are a few salmon fillets, plus a quick lemon butter sauce, and herbs. Then, let the oven work it's magic!

Baked salmon in a pan next to lemon wedges.

This is hands-down the salmon recipe that I make about ofttimes in my house. It'due south honestly foolproof, it takes less than 20 minutes to make, and it gives you lot the most succulent, and mouth-watering salmon. In other words, it'southward just an easy, salubrious dinner recipe that the whole family will love.

The dandy thing nearly a unproblematic recipe similar this is that it's versatile enough to serve with a wide diversity of side dishes. And by simply switching up the side dishes you lot can keep weeknight dinners interesting and tasty!

Ingredients for baked salmon on a table.

What Y'all'll Need For The Best Baked Salmon

When it comes to salmon, don't overthink it. All you actually need is a elementary lemon butter sauce and a sprinkle of herbs to make information technology super succulent.

Salmon: You tin can make this with individual filets or i large piece (aka. half of a salmon). It works keen either way!
Butter: Keeps the salmon moist and adds that delicious buttery sense of taste.
Lemon Juice: A clasp of lemon adds a bright and zesty touch.
Garlic: I'm using iii garlic cloves, but feel free to add more or less!
Herbs: A parsley and dill combo complements the salmon perfectly.

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

How To Shop For Salmon

Between farmed vs. wild-caught, and king vs. sockeye vs. coho, shopping for salmon tin can get disruptive. So to make things easier, hither's a handy cheque-list of things to expect out for.

Wild salmon is best. Similar to shrimp, it's best to steer clear of farmed salmon. Why? It'southward more likely to contain pollutants, antibiotics and various toxins from the fish farms. And aside from safety reasons, wild-defenseless salmon generally has more nutrients, a better texture, a vivid hue, and better flavor (translation: a more than succulent baked salmon!)
The types of salmon to know. There are several varieties of salmon, but the ones I recommend are king, sockeye, and coho. Wild salmon does have seasons and each of these varieties are available at dissimilar times throughout the yr. Merely no matter which you choose, only look for fillets that are bright pink and marbled.
Fresh vs. frozen salmon. Unless you're going to a fish mart that has fresh catches of the solar day (which can be expensive), catch frozen salmon instead. Yes, it's totally okay, and oftentimes amend than the "fresh" salmon y'all'll find sitting on ice…which isn't so fresh. Frozen salmon is flash frozen on the ship correct after it'due south caught to preserve freshness!

Raw salmon filets in a baking dish.

How To Properly Thaw Frozen Salmon

If y'all planned alee of time, thaw it in the fridge. Ideally, you desire to slowly thaw your salmon in the refrigerator overnight. Or virtually 12 hours before cooking it. Simply make certain to keep the fish in information technology's wrapping and identify it on a plate to catch any liquid.
If you lot're hours away from dinner, thaw it in cold water. Non to worry if thawing it overnight slipped your listen! You tin thaw your salmon past submerging it in a big bowl of cold h2o. This should have about an 60 minutes or so, depending on its thickness. Merely be certain to swap for fresh h2o if it starts to become lukewarm.

What'south The Best Temperature For Baked Salmon?

You've probably come across a few common answers when it comes to time and temperature. And while they all piece of work, I detect that baking at a lower temperature of 375F will keep the salmon actress moist and avoid overcooking. Because let's be honest, it's like shooting fish in a barrel to lose track of time when you're busy whipping up other dishes. So if you're one-two minutes over your timer, your salmon will still be perfectly cooked. But, do continue in mind the size and thickness of your fillet:

For a normal size salmon fillet: cook for 12-thirteen minutes.
For a thicker salmon fillet: cook for xiii-xv minutes.
For a whole side of salmon: cook for xv-twenty minutes.

Pro tip: Y'all'll know the salmon is done baking when it flakes apart hands with a fork. I don't ofttimes employ an instant read thermometer when baking salmon. But if you lot desire to double cheque, the internal temperature should exist 125-130F, for moist, not-overcooked salmon.

Brushing butter on baked salmon in a pan.

How To Bake Salmon Perfectly

This amazingly moist and flakey salmon is done in only 15 minutes! It bakes super fast, so make sure to have your side dishes planned and ready to go! To get started, preheat your oven to 375F and then follow along below.

Let the salmon come to room temperature. Have your fillets out of the fridge and let them sit on the counter for about 15 minutes.
Make the butter mix. In a pocket-size bowl, mix the melted butter and lemon juice. Then castor the butter mix over the fillets in a baking dish.
It's baking time. Sprinkle minced garlic, table salt, pepper, and bake for 12-xv minutes.
Fix to serve! For the finishing affect, sprinkle a bit of parsley and dill before serving.

A pan with baked salmon and garlic butter sauce.

Hither's a Few Extra Tips

Flavor the fillet right before blistering.For chicken and beef, it'southward better to marinate it for at least an hour to let the flavors absorb. Simply for seafood, seasonings (especially salt) can depict out moisture much quicker. So for actress moist results, season right earlier sliding the pan into the oven.
It's all-time non to remove salmon skin. Whether you similar salmon skin or not, don't remove it before baking. It will help protect the fillet from the pan's heat, cook the salmon more evenly, and retain its delicious juices. Then one time you're ready to serve, you can hands slide the skin right off.
Don't rinse salmon with h2o.Just like craven, don't wash your raw fish. Information technology can increment your risk of contamination and spread to other surfaces of your kitchen such equally the sink or countertop. Plus, the bacteria is killed once it cooks inside a hot oven.
Remove it right earlier the timer goes off.Keep in listen that salmon will continue to cook every bit it rests. So if you're keeping a close center on the time, taking it out right before it'south "done" is another way to prevent overcooking!
Don't be alarmed by the white ooze! If you notice some white slimy substance on top of your baked salmon, don't panic. It'due south really just a protein in the salmon called albumin that becomes solid when heated. The hotter salmon cooks, the more albumin will come up out. And then to prevent a thick white layer, melt your salmon at a gentle temperature.

Tasty Ways To Serve Broiled Salmon

Now that you have a beautiful fillet, it'southward time to build the perfect meal with information technology! Here's a few delicious options to go on your weekdays interesting.

Round out a dinner plate. Add good for you carbs and greens to your plate! Carb ideas tin be fluffy rice, mashed potatoes, or garlic herb roasted potatoes. And for veggies, sides such as light-green beans, roasted Brussels sprouts, or sauteed spinach.
Layer information technology onto a salad. Layer your fillet on a bed of leafy greens and tons of fresh veggies. From tomatoes, to cucumber, to red onions, the options are endless!
Add it to a grain bowl. There's many ways to go about this, depending on what flavors you're craving that twenty-four hour period. Only I personally love a Mediterranean bowl that includes quinoa, leafy greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, shredded majestic cabbage, and a side of tzatziki.

Baked salmon on a plate with a fork and parsley.

How To Store And Reheat Baked Salmon

For storing: If you lot've got a few fillets leftover, they'll proceed for up to three days in the fridge in a sealed container.
How to freeze: Make certain your salmon is completely absurd before freezing. Then top it on parchment paper in a storage container to preclude it from sticking to the sides. Reheating salmon tin be tricky since it's already cooked. So the primal here is to reheat it low and slow, either in the microwave or oven, to prevent it from drying out.

But you know what's the best use of leftover salmon? Salmon patties!

More Means To Cook Salmon

This simple baked salmon is a go-to recipe for quick weeknight meals. But information technology doesn't finish in that location! Hither'due south a few more ways to bask salmon.

Orange Glazed Salmon
Salmon Avocado Salad
Cedar Plank Salmon (with maple ginger glaze!)
Dijon Baked Salmon

Baked Salmon Recipe Video

Want to encounter how I make this recipe?Watch the video below!

If y'all make this recipe, let me know how it turned out! I'd love to hear what yous think in the comments beneath.

All-time Broiled Salmon

This broiled salmon is what easy, weeknight dinners are all nigh! It's moist, flakey, and baked with a delicious lemon garlic butter sauce!

▢ 4 (vi-ounce) salmon fillets
▢ ii tablespoons butter, melted
▢ i/2 tablespoon lemon juice, plus more lemon slices for garnish
▢ 3 garlic cloves, minced
▢ table salt and pepper
▢ i teaspoon finely chopped parsley
▢ i teaspoon finely chopped dill

Preheat your oven to 375F/190C and let the salmon come up to room temperature for 15 minutes. Mix together the melted butter and lemon juice (I use the juice from ane/iv slice of lemon) in a small bowl. Then, place the salmon in baking dish and brush the butter mix all over.
Peak the salmon with the minced garlic, salt, and pepper, and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until cooked through.
Sprinkle the fresh parsley and dill on the salmon before serving.

If y'all're dairy-sensitive you can use ghee or a lite brush with olive oil likewise.
I honey to use this goulash pan for baked salmon, merely I've got a few more options listed in the Shop page!

Calories: 296 kcal , Carbohydrates: 1 k , Poly peptide: 34 g , Fat: 16 g , Saturated Fat: 5 g , Trans Fat: 1 g , Cholesterol: 109 mg , Sodium: 125 mg , Potassium: 846 mg , Cobweb: one one thousand , Carbohydrate: i chiliad , Vitamin A: 247 IU , Vitamin C: 1 mg , Calcium: 26 mg , Iron: 1 mg

©Downshiftology. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to whatever social media is strictly prohibited.

Leave a comment below and share a photograph on Instagram. Tag @downshiftology and hashtag information technology #downshiftology.