How Long to Bake Salmon at 275°F for Perfectly Cooked Fish

Salmon is one of the most popular fish to cook and eat. Rich in healthy omega-3 fatty acids and protein salmon makes a delicious and nutritious meal. While there are many ways to prepare salmon baking is one of the easiest and most foolproof cooking methods. When baking salmon in the oven, an ideal temperature is 275°F. But how long should you bake salmon at 275°F to ensure it turns out moist, flaky and cooked through?

I did some research and testing to find the ideal time and temperature for baking salmon. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about how long to bake salmon at 275°F as well as tips for seasoning serving and more.

Why Bake Salmon at 275°F?

Baking salmon in the oven is one of the simplest ways to prepare it. You just season the fish, pop it in the oven and let the heat do all the work. But baking at the right temperature is key for the best results.

When temperatures are 350°F or higher, the salmon’s outside can get too dry and overcooked before the inside is done.

When you bake salmon at a low temperature (275°F), you have more control over how it turns out every time. The fish is cooked slowly and gently, which lets the inside get just right without drying out the outside.

How Long Should You Bake Salmon at 275°F?

The exact bake time will vary depending on a few factors:

• Thickness of the salmon – A 1-inch thick salmon fillet will take longer than a 1/2-inch thick piece.

• Desired doneness – Cook times will vary if you like your salmon rare, medium or well done.

• Bone vs boneless – Salmon cooked on the bone may take slightly longer.

• Portion size – Baking a large salmon fillet or roast will require additional time compared to individual fillets.

As a general guideline, you can expect salmon to bake in 15 to 30 minutes at 275°F, depending on thickness.

Here are some more specific cook times based on salmon thickness:

• 1/2-inch thick salmon fillets – Bake for 15-18 minutes
• 3/4 to 1-inch thick salmon fillets – Bake for 20-25 minutes
• 1 1/2-inch thick salmon fillet or roast – Bake for 25-30 minutes

I like to cook individual 6-8 oz salmon fillets that are around 1 inch thick. For this size and thickness, 20-22 minutes is perfect. The salmon comes out moist, flaky and cooked to medium doneness.

Be sure to use an instant read thermometer to check for doneness, as oven temperatures can vary. Salmon is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.

Tips for Baking Salmon at 275°F

Follow these tips for the best baked salmon ever:

• Pat salmon dry before baking to help it cook up crispy and browned instead of steamed.

• Brush lightly with oil – A little oil or melted butter helps the salmon brown. Olive oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil or melted butter all work well.

• Season generously – Salmon benefits from bold, flavorful seasonings and marinades. Lemon, garlic, herbs, mustard, soy sauce and teriyaki are all tasty options.

• Use a baking sheet – Bake your salmon on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup. The raised edges help prevent spills.

• Let it rest – Salmon will continue to cook after removed from the oven. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving for the best texture.

Juicy, Flaky Salmon in 4 Easy Steps

Follow this simple method for baking moist and tender salmon fillets at 275°F:

Step 1) Heat oven & prep baking sheet – Preheat oven to 275°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.

Step 2) Pat salmon dry & brush with oil – Rinse salmon, pat extremely dry with paper towels and brush lightly with olive oil or melted butter.

Step 3) Season salmon – Season the salmon as desired. Herb rubs, salt, pepper, lemon, mustard or soy sauce all taste great.

Step 4) Bake until done – Place salmon skin-side down on baking sheet. Bake for 15-25 minutes until salmon flakes easily and registers 145°F.

And that’s it! Let the salmon rest for 5 minutes then serve. Enjoy your perfectly cooked baked salmon!

Cooking Salmon from Frozen

You can absolutely bake salmon directly from frozen using the same 275°F temperature. However, the baking time will need to be extended.

For frozen salmon fillets about 1-inch thick, bake for 35-40 minutes instead of 20-25 minutes. Check frequently and stop baking when the thickest part of the fish reaches 145°F.

Thinner or thinner frozen fillets will take less time. Bake until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.

Salmon Bake Times at Other Temperatures

While 275°F is ideal, you can successfully bake salmon at slightly higher and lower temperatures. Here are some guidelines:

• 250°F – Will take a little longer. Bake 1-inch thick fillets for 25-30 minutes.

• 300°F – Will cook faster so monitor carefully. Bake 1-inch thick fillets for about 18-22 minutes.

• 325°F – Cooks more quickly. Bake 1-inch fillets around 15-20 minutes.

• 350°F – Hotter temperature means quicker cook time. Bake 1-inch salmon fillets for 12-15 minutes.

No matter what temperature you use, always rely on a thermometer for doneness rather than time. Cook until salmon reaches 145°F internally.

How to Tell When Salmon is Done

Checking the internal temperature of the salmon with an instant read thermometer is the most reliable way to know when your salmon is cooked properly. But if you don’t have a thermometer, here are some other ways to check for doneness:

• Use a fork to flake the salmon – When done, it will break into clean flakes easily.

• Look for opaque coloring – Salmon changes from translucent to opaque as it cooks.

• Salmon should appear lightly browned on the exterior when fully cooked.

• For well done salmon, the fish will separate easily from the skin when poked with a fork.

Serving Suggestions and Side Dishes

Baked salmon is versatile and pairs well with all sorts of flavors. Consider serving it with:

• Fresh lemon or lime wedges
• Rice or quinoa
• Roasted vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots or asparagus
• Green salad or spinach salad
• Baked potatoes, sweet potatoes or cauliflower mash
• Garlic sautéed spinach or kale

Herb garnishes like dill, parsley or chives also add nice freshness and color.

Sauces like chimichurri, pesto, herb butter, teriyaki, ponzu, and lemon aioli complement baked salmon perfectly.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Properly stored, leftover baked salmon will keep for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. Here are some serving ideas for leftovers:

• Flake onto salads, rice bowls or tacos
• Toss with pasta or make salmon pasta bakes
• Stuff into a pita, wrap or sandwich
• Reheat in the oven at 250°F until warmed through
• Break into chunks and add to chowders or fish stews

You can also freeze baked salmon for longer storage. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil and freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.

More Delicious Ways to Cook Salmon

If you love salmon, try these other quick and easy preparations:

• Grilled Salmon – Get nice grill marks and flavor
• Broiled Salmon – Cooks fast under direct high heat
• Air Fried Salmon – Gets crispy with little or no oil
• Foil Packets – Bake in sealed parchment or foil packets
• Cedar Plank Salmon – Infuses delicious smoky flavor
• Salmon Burgers – Made from minced salmon, not beef!
• Smoked Salmon – Cold smoked salmon is incredible
• Canned Salmon – Keep it on hand for fast meals and recipes

With so many options, you can enjoy salmon any night of the week. Baked at 275°F is one of the simplest and most foolproof methods. Use the bake times in this guide for perfect salmon every time you fire up your oven.