How are you? My Baked Salmon looks very fancy. This is THE baked salmon recipe for you if you need a quick and healthy dinner, a meal to impress the crowd, or a simple protein that you can eat tonight and again the next day.
I didn’t buy salmon for years because I thought it would be too hard to cook or, even worse, I would mess it up and ruin a nice piece of fish.
This baked salmon was the very first salmon I learned to cook with confidence. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve made it since.
A lot of easy and tasty salmon recipes, like Grilled Salmon in Foil, are based on this dish. I still make it a lot, whether I’m cooking for Ben and me or for a big group.
This baked salmon has dozens and dozens of glowing reviews and has been viewed millions of times.
Here it is, the baked salmon recipe that I (and many of you!) are sure is the best in the world!
Rarely am I so rewarded for so little effort as when I make easy baked salmon. This method is dead simple, but so delicious and so good for you too.
Salmon is one of the healthiest, tastiest, and most versatile fish you can cook. It’s rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and various vitamins and minerals.
It’s easy to cook salmon by putting it in foil and baking it. The foil helps the salmon cook evenly, keeps the moisture in, and lets you add herbs, citrus, butter, or other things to make it taste better.
But if you’re new to baking salmon, you may be wondering – how long should I bake salmon at 350°F in foil?
This whole guide has everything you need to know to bake salmon until it’s soft and flaky.
How Long to Bake a Salmon Fillet at 350°F
If you are baking individual salmon fillets, they will take about 12-15 minutes to bake at 350°F.
Salmon fillets are typically 4-6 ounces each. The exact time will depend on the thickness of your fillets.
Here are approximate baking times for salmon fillets at 350°F:
- 1-inch thick fillets: 12-14 minutes
- 1 1⁄2 inch thick fillets: 14-15 minutes
As a general rule, thicker fillets will need a little more time I recommend starting to check your salmon at 12 minutes if your fillets are on the thinner side
The salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork and is opaque throughout. The center should not look translucent when you peek inside.
How Long to Bake a Side of Salmon at 350°F
If you are baking a larger side of salmon (at least 1-2 lbs), it will need 15-25 minutes to bake at 350°F.
Again, the timing depends on thickness. Here are guidelines based on thickness:
- 1-inch thick side of salmon: 15-18 minutes
- 1 1⁄2-inches thick: 20-22 minutes
- 2-inches thick: 22-25 minutes
I like to start checking a large piece of salmon around 15 minutes if it’s on the thinner side.
You want to pull it from the oven when the salmon is almost cooked through but still has a touch of translucency in the very center. It will finish cooking as it rests.
Checking Salmon for Doneness
It can be tricky to tell when salmon is done, especially if you are new to baking fish. Here are some tips:
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Use an instant read thermometer. Salmon is perfectly cooked between 135°F-145°F. I recommend pulling it at 140°F and letting it rest until 145°F.
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Check the center with a fork. It should flake easily. If the center still seems translucent, it needs more time.
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For a large cut, peek inside with a paring knife. It should be opaque but still a bit translucent in the very center.
Don’t overbake the salmon or it will turn dry and flaky. Underbaked salmon can be returned to the oven for a few more minutes if needed.
How to Bake Salmon in Foil at 350°F
Baking salmon in foil is a foolproof method. Follow these simple steps:
Ingredients:
- Salmon fillet(s) or side of salmon, skin on or off
- Olive oil or melted butter
- Salt and pepper
- Herbs, lemon slices, garlic, etc. for flavor (optional)
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly grease the foil.
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Place salmon skin-side down on foil. Brush with olive oil or butter and season with salt and pepper.
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Top salmon with any additional flavor ingredients, like lemon slices, fresh herbs, minced garlic, etc.
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Seal the foil tightly around the salmon to make a packet.
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Bake until salmon is opaque and flakes easily, 12-25 minutes depending on thickness.
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Open foil and broil for 1-2 minutes if you want a browned top.
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Let salmon rest 5 minutes before serving.
And that’s it! The foil pouch steams the salmon gently to perfection.
Tips for Moist, Flavorful Baked Salmon
Here are some of my top tips for baking salmon in foil:
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Let the salmon sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before baking. This helps it cook more evenly.
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Use wild-caught salmon if possible for better flavor and texture. Popular varieties like sockeye and coho work well.
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Cut lemon slices thinly so the juice can permeate the fish.
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Add fresh herbs like dill, rosemary, thyme or parsley. They infuse the salmon with flavor.
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Rub minced garlic over the salmon before sealing it in the foil.
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Brush the salmon with olive oil or melted butter before seasoning. This helps the flavor stick.
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Season generously with salt and pepper. Salmon can handle more seasoning than you think.
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For more flavor, marinate the salmon for 15-30 minutes before baking. Try an easy lemon-herb marinade.
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For the best texture, bake until just underdone and let carryover cooking finish it off.
Serving Suggestions
Baked salmon tastes amazing with:
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Rice or quinoa – try lemon-herb or garlic flavors
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Roasted asparagus or brussels sprouts
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Potatoes – roasted, mashed, or salad
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Fresh green salad with a light dressing
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Citrus-dressed pasta or grain salad
A simple meal of salmon with rice and veggies makes an easy, healthy weeknight dinner.
For special occasions, serve the salmon over a bed of greens with roasted fingerling potatoes and champagne vinaigrette.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Baked Salmon
Properly stored, leftover baked salmon will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge. Here are some serving ideas:
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Flake into a salad, pasta, or rice bowl.
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Make salmon cakes or salmon patties.
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Toss with mayo and celery for an easy salmon salad.
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Mix into scrambled eggs or an omelet.
To reheat, use the microwave or oven gently to prevent the salmon from drying out:
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Microwave: Place salmon on a microwave-safe plate, cover, and heat at 30 second intervals until warmed through.
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Oven: Wrap salmon in foil and bake at 300°F for 10 minutes or until heated through.
The foil baking method works for salmon fillets, a larger side of salmon, or even an entire salmon. Just adjust cook times based on thickness.
Next time you’re looking for a healthy, delicious meal, give baked salmon a try. In about 30 minutes, you can have a gorgeous, elegant dish that tastes like you spent all night cooking.
So head to the store, pick up some wild salmon, and get baking! Your kitchen will smell amazing in no time.
Health Benefits of Salmon
- Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in large amounts in salmon, can help reduce swelling, blood pressure, and disease risk factors.
- It has a lot of protein, potassium, and selenium, a mineral that helps bones stay healthy, makes the thyroid work better, and lowers the risk of cancer.
- Salmon can also lower your risk of heart disease, help you lose weight, and keep your brain healthy. *.
Baked Salmon Seasoning Suggestions
A good piece of baked salmon only needs salt, pepper, and olive oil, but it’s easy to change things up by adding herbs and other things.
You have plenty of options to keep it exciting and new.
- Baked Salmon with Lemon and Dill. Instead of rosemary sprigs, use dill sprigs in the recipe below. You can also use green onion, parsley, or both, or any other herbs in your fridge that are about to go bad.
- Baked Salmon with Lemon and Butter. No fresh herbs? No problem. Don’t use them. Instead, brush the salmon with melted butter (I mix half butter and half olive oil). I don’t think dried herbs are a good idea because they make the fish taste less fresh.
- Garlic Butter Salmon. There shouldn’t be anything on my dinner plate that these two things don’t make better, right?
- Baked Salmon in Pesto. Omit the rosemary. Cover the salmon with pesto and place the lemon on top before wrapping it in foil and sealing it. See this Pesto Salmon for a fillet version.
- Spicy Baked Salmon. There’s Spicy Salmon, Blackened Salmon, and Buffalo Baked Salmon. All of them are spicy.
- Dry Rub. You can use this Salmon Seasoning or your own favorite spice mix on this baked salmon.
- Salmon Marinade. Soy sauce adds salt and umami to this marinade. Honey or pure maple syrup adds sweetness, and Dijon mustard adds balance and zip.
- Teriyaki Baked Salmon. Tastes of Asia go well with baked salmon. For recipes, see this Teriyaki Salmon and this Soy Ginger Salmon.
- Baked Salmon with Lemon and Rosemary. The all-purpose version I am sharing with you today!.
Baked Salmon In Foil
FAQ
How long should salmon be in at 350?
Is it better to cook salmon in foil or not?
Is it better to bake salmon at 350 or 400?
Should you bake salmon covered or uncovered?