Description
This Oven Baked Salmon recipe features a whole salmon fillet seasoned with a flavorful blend of garlic, brown sugar, Italian seasoning, paprika, and more, then baked to tender perfection. Using foil creates a juicy ‘boat’ to keep the fish moist, making it simple and delicious for a healthy dinner.
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
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- Ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep the Oven and Salmon: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Place a large piece of foil on a rimmed baking sheet. Place the salmon fillet skin side down, pink side up on the foil. Crimp the edges of the foil around the salmon to form a little ‘boat’ to hold juices.
- Prepare Seasonings: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter and minced garlic. Brush half of this garlic butter mixture over the salmon. In another small bowl, combine brown sugar, Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and ground black pepper. Evenly sprinkle this seasoning blend over the salmon, then drizzle with the remaining garlic butter.
- Bake the Salmon: Bake the salmon in the preheated oven for 22 minutes or until it reaches your desired doneness. Optionally, baste the salmon with its juices halfway through baking for extra moisture. Once baked, remove the salmon from the oven and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use a whole skin-on salmon fillet to help prevent overcooking; alternatively, use 4 cut fillets and reduce baking time to 15 minutes.
- If fresh garlic is unavailable, substitute with an additional teaspoon of dried garlic powder.
- Italian seasoning can be replaced with other dried herbs like oregano or rosemary according to taste.
- Let the garlic-infused butter cool slightly for easier brushing onto the salmon.
- Using aluminum foil simplifies cleanup and retains more garlic butter, but you may skip it if preferred.
- Recommended internal temperature for salmon is 145°F, but cooking to 125°F–130°F yields more succulent and flaky results; let salmon rest to reach temperature after removal.
- Use a food thermometer for best cooking accuracy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
