Description
This Oven Baked Salmon recipe delivers perfectly tender and flavorful salmon with a delicious garlic butter and spice blend. Easily prepared on foil for simple cleanup, it’s ideal for a healthy dinner that can be ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon and Seasoning
- 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
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- Ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep: Heat the oven to 375°F. Place a large piece of foil on a rimmed baking sheet, then place the salmon fillet on top with the skin side down and the pink side up. Crimp the edges of the foil around the salmon to form a little boat to catch juices.
- Season: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter and minced garlic. Brush half of this mixture evenly over the salmon. In another bowl, combine the brown sugar, Italian seasoning, ground paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle this seasoning mixture evenly over the salmon. Drizzle the remaining garlic butter over the top.
- Bake: Bake the salmon for 22 minutes for fully cooked salmon (145°F internal temperature). If you prefer it less done and more succulent, bake for 15-20 minutes (125°F-140°F internal temperature). Optionally baste the salmon with its juices halfway through baking. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Using a whole skin-on side of salmon helps prevent overcooking compared to individual fillets. If using 4 cut fillets, reduce baking time to 10-15 minutes.
- If fresh garlic is not available, substitute with an extra teaspoon of dried garlic powder.
- Italian seasoning adds great flavor but can be substituted with oregano or rosemary as desired.
- Allow the melted butter to cool slightly to a thicker consistency for easier brushing on the salmon.
- Using foil facilitates easy cleanup and helps retain the garlic butter and juices, reducing evaporation.
- USDA recommends cooking fish to an internal temperature of 145°F, but for optimal tenderness, 125°F to 130°F is ideal if acceptable to you.
- Use a food thermometer for precise cooking and perfect doneness every time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
