If you need a quick and easy dinner for a busy weeknight, pan-fried salmon is perfect. You can make it in just 15 minutes. Unfortunately, its often baked to death with minimal seasoning and presented as a healthy meal. While this recipe certainly fits into our opinion of a wholesome diet, theres nothing bland about it. It’s easy to forget that this dish is healthy when it’s cooked and served with a lemon, butter, garlic, and thyme sauce that tastes great.
This recipe is based on a simple salmon recipe by Gordon Ramsey. Jaime Shelbert from Wholly Nourished has added some spice and lemon to give it more zip. Thanks to Chef Ramsey’s tips, the fish tastes great and has the perfect flaky, tender texture that you expect from perfectly cooked salmon. You can make all of your future salmon recipes much better by following these simple steps. Get an apron and maybe a chef’s hat ready, and bring your appetite. This salmon dish will be gone as soon as it’s ready.
Gordon Ramsay, the multi-Michelin star chef known for his restaurants and TV shows like Hell’s Kitchen has a simple yet foolproof technique for baking salmon. His recipe results in salmon fillets that are moist, tender and bursting with flavor every time.
In this article, we’ll break down Ramsay’s essential tips for baking salmon to absolute perfection. Follow his step-by-step instructions and you’ll be able to make restaurant-worthy baked salmon easily at home
Overview of Gordon Ramsay’s Salmon Baking Method
The keys to Ramsay’s exceptional baked salmon include
- Using fresh, high-quality salmon fillets
- Seasoning the fish generously
- Making an herb and garlic sauce to coat the salmon
- Baking at a high temp to ensure crispy skin
- Monitoring doneness carefully
- Garnishing with lemon and herbs
If you follow these easy but important steps, the salmon fillets will be juicy on the inside and crispy on top. The garlic, lemon and herbs infuse the fish with incredible aroma and flavor. Let’s look at how to do each part of Gordon Ramsay’s baked salmon recipe perfectly.
Selecting Fresh, Quality Salmon Fillets
The starting point for amazing baked salmon is buying excellent fish. Here are Ramsay’s tips:
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Choose wild-caught salmon – Better flavor and texture than farmed.
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Get thick, center-cut fillets – At least 1 to 1.5 inches thick to prevent overcooking.
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Make sure the salmon looks fresh – Should smell like the ocean, not fishy.
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Leave skin on if possible – Helps keep salmon moist during baking.
Choose fillets that are evenly sized for even cooking. Pat dry before seasoning.
Generously Seasoning the Salmon
Ramsay emphasizes that properly seasoning the salmon before baking is crucial for flavor.
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Liberally coat both sides with salt and pepper.
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Consider spices like garlic powder, paprika or chili powder.
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Rub seasonings into fish to maximize flavor impact.
Take the time to season the salmon all over and let sit briefly before baking.
Making a Quick Herb and Garlic Sauce
The key to Gordon Ramsay’s baked salmon recipe is his zesty sauce:
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Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, Italian herbs and seasonings.
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Thoroughly coat salmon fillets with sauce before baking.
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Prevent dryness by rubbing sauce into fish before spooning over more.
The sauce infuses incredible flavor and prevents the salmon from drying out.
Baking the Salmon at a High Temperature
To achieve crispy, browned salmon skin, Ramsay bakes at a high temp:
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Preheat oven to 400°F.
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Place fillets skin-side up on a lightly oiled baking sheet.
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Bake for 12-15 minutes based on thickness.
The high heat crisps the skin beautifully without overcooking the inside.
Checking Doneness to Prevent Over-Baking
It’s important to monitor the salmon and not overbake it:
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Check for doneness after 12 minutes.
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Salmon should flake easily with a fork but still be moist inside.
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If not done, bake just 1-2 minutes longer.
Remove from oven as soon as it’s ready to prevent drying out.
Garnishing and Serving the Baked Salmon
Ramsay plates his salmon simply, letting the fish shine:
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Garnish with lemon slices and fresh herbs.
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Drizzle with any extra sauce from the pan.
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Pair with sides like roasted veggies or rice.
And that’s all there is to it – Gordon Ramsay’s basic but foolproof method for baking salmon perfectly every time.
Step-By-Step Photo Guide to Baking Salmon Like Gordon Ramsay
Here is a handy step-by-step photo guide to easily nail Gordon Ramsay’s baked salmon recipe:
1. Choose Fresh, Quality Fillets
Select thick, center-cut salmon fillets that look and smell fresh. Pat dry.
<img src=”https://simply-delicious-food.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/How-to-Bake-Salmon-in-the-Oven.jpg”>
2. Generously Season the Salmon
Coat both sides with salt, pepper and other spices.
<img src=”https://www.acouplecooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Baked-Salmon-006.jpg”>
3. Make the Garlic Herb Sauce
Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and seasonings into a sauce.
<img src=”https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/kKIdbu_1EJBWYzvBBKH3k_06l4o=/3896×2922/smart/filters:no_upscale()/baked-salmon-with-herb-sauce-recipe-2216173-hero-01-ba09737d14b74a05a15a7bcef03865ff.jpg”>
4. Thoroughly Coat Salmon with Sauce
Rub sauce into fillets first before spooning over more to prevent dryness.
<img src=”https://therecipecritic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/bakedlemonherbsalmon2sm.jpg”>
5. Bake Salmon Skin-Side Up at 400°F
Cook for 12-15 minutes based on thickness until opaque and flaky.
<img src=”https://nchfp.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/baked_salmonL300.jpg”>
6. Check Doneness and Prevent Overbaking
Salmon should flake easily with a fork when it’s ready.
<img src=”https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/ESgYtSf2UNEU6kSSmYBMavHqgoE=/750×0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/23671-baked-salmon-ii-mfs-4X3-0482-c49c83b0d20e448e8506c3e29f29fe6c.jpg”>
7. Garnish and Serve
Finish with lemon slices, fresh herbs and pan drippings.
<img src=”https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Easy-Oven-Baked-Salmon-with-Lemon-Garlic-Butter.jpg”>
With this simple, foolproof process you’ll be able to bake salmon like a pro in no time!
Frequently Asked Questions About Gordon Ramsay’s Baked Salmon Recipe
Here are answers to some common questions about perfectly executing Gordon Ramsay’s baked salmon recipe:
What temperature and pan should be used?
Bake at 400°F on a lightly greased rimmed baking sheet or dish for best results.
Skin on or off?
Keeping the skin on helps keep the salmon moist but you can bake it either way.
How long to bake salmon fillets?
Bake for 12-15 minutes for 1-inch thick fillets. Thinner fillets may take 9-10 minutes.
How do you know when it’s done?
Check for flaky, opaque salmon that comes apart easily with a fork. Baking until just slightly underdone prevents over drying.
Can you broil the salmon at the end?
Yes, switching to broil for the last 1-2 minutes helps crisp and brown the top. Watch closely to avoid burning.
What are the best herb and spice flavors?
Lemon-garlic-parsley is a classic combo. Dill, basil, thyme and oregano also pair well.
Should you flip halfway through baking?
No, salmon can bake skin-side up the entire time. Basting with sauce prevents drying out.
With Gordon Ramsay’s simple baked salmon recipe and baking tips, you can enjoy restaurant-quality salmon at home any night of the week. The key is quality salmon, generously seasoned, and baked at a high heat for a crispy top and tender interior. Master this basic salmon baking technique and you can easily modify flavors and ingredients for endless variation.
Score the salmon skin
Some people may want to cook their salmon right from the package, but there are a few simple steps you can take to get a lot more out of the fish.
To begin, take the fish out of the fridge five to ten minutes before cooking it so that it doesn’t start cooking cold. This is what Chef Ramsey says you should do to make the fish cook faster without drying out in the hot pan.
Cut carefully through the salmon skin with a sharp knife, making slits along the fish every inch or so. Gordon Ramsey says that making cuts in the skin of the fish helps it cook faster and keeps the skin extra crispy. Be careful not to cut too deeply into the fish or the inside will dry out.
Gather the ingredients for your salmon in butter sauce
Before you turn on the heat, you should make sure you have everything you need for this quick recipe.
To start, you will need a fresh salmon filet deboned and with the skin on. One side of the fish will stay nice and tender while you pan fry it because the skin will act as a barrier. Its also delicious and packed with nutrients if you choose to eat it. If you’re serving the salmon with sides, a filet of about 10 ounces should be enough for two people. But you can change the amounts if you need to. You can try this with trout instead of salmon if you can find them, as Jaime wouldn’t hesitate to do so.
To season the salmon and bring out its natural flavors, salt and pepper are also used along with the cayenne pepper. You’ll need olive oil to cook the salmon, but you’ll also need butter to make the sauce that goes with it. The butter will become a smooth and delicious sauce when you add sliced garlic, fresh thyme sprigs, lemon zest, and lemon juice. You may find yourself adding it to everything.