Best Damn Oven Baked Salmon

This quick and easy recipe for oven baked salmon is ready in about 15 minutes. Enjoy tender, flaky salmon with just the right seasoning, cooked to perfection in your oven. No extra steps, no messy cleanup, just delicious fresh salmon made with ease.

Salmon is one of the most versatile fish in the culinary world. Chefs around the world have infinite ways to season, prepare and serve fresh salmon.  For this recipe, we take it right down to the basics to create an awesome, full flavor, with ingredients you already have in your pantry. All the cooking takes place in the oven, no searing or broiling necessary.

Simple Ingredients

For this recipe we’ll use 2 fresh salmon filets of about 6 oz each. This is a real common cut of salmon which most supermarkets carry. You can use skinless or skin-on, everything will remain the same. We start by brushing our salmon filets with a little melted butter, then apply our seasoning mix of garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Yep, that’s all we need! Just wait until you start to smell it cooking, and then take that first bite. You won’t believe how tasty it is!

Easy Preparation

We love that this recipe is so perfect for a quick meal any time. Preparation really is only about 5 minutes. We place some aluminum foil on a sheet pan or baking sheet and spray it with a little cooking spray. Place our salmon filets on the sheet, brush with the melted butter and season with our simple seasoning mix. That’s it! It literally takes about 5 total minutes to prepare.

Cook at 450°(F) for 12-16 minutes

We go with a high temperature and fairly short cooking time to get the best results. This helps seal in the flavor and keep the salmon nice and moist on the inside. That butter and seasoning will come together to create an absolutely wonderful flavor. Make sure to start with a preheated oven.

The salmon will be done in about 12-16 minutes. We want the internal temperature to be 145°(F) when measured with an instant read thermometer. The fish will easily flake with a fork.

Ready to Serve

Our salmon filets will be ready to serve right away. One of my favorite ways to serve is with a vegetable medley. You can actually place the veggies right on the sheet pan with the salmon. They will be done at the same time the salmon is done. Or, the veggies can be roasted to perfection in an air fryer in about 10 minutes!

Of course, salmon is ideal for a little fresh lemon and dill. Just wait until you try this, you won’t believe how flavorful it is!

Some favorite pairings for this recipe include Air Fryer Zucchini and Peppers, Air Fryer Asparagus, Baked Asparagus with Parmesan and Garlic, Instant Pot Parmesan Potatoes. Another really fun idea is to serve this with our fresh Mango Salsa. Oh my goodness the flavors and texture of the mango salsa are so wonderful with the salmon!

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Can the recipe be doubled?
Answer: Absolutely this recipe can be doubled. It’s as simple as doubling all of the ingredients. The cooking time will be the same.

Question: Can I use frozen salmon filets?
Answer: I always find the best results come from using fresh salmon filets but you can definitely use frozen filets. The only difference is the cooking time will be anywhere from 5-10 minutes more.

Question: Can this dish be stored for later?
Answer: When it comes to enjoying leftovers or meal  planning, salmon filets are perfect to enjoy later. Simple pack in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in a microwave, air fryer or oven.

Other Methods of Cooking

Want to make this recipe in an air fryer? We’ve got the perfect recipe with our Best Damn Air Fryer Salmon.

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Oven Baked Mediterranean Cod: This one is something special. It uses fresh ingredients with tender, flakey cod filets for a wonderful taste of the Mediterranean. Easy to make and sure to impress!

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