How Long Should You Bake Salmon at 450°F For Perfectly Cooked Fish?

Baking salmon at 450°F is one of my favorite ways to prepare this tasty and healthy fish. As someone who loves cooking salmon often, I’ve experimented with different bake times and temperatures and found 450°F for around 12-15 minutes results in moist, flaky salmon fillets every time.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about baking salmon at 450°F, from recommended cook times to tips for ensuring your fish comes out tender and delicious. Whether you’re a salmon rookie or a seasoned pro, read on for the complete guide to oven-baked salmon success!

Why Bake Salmon at 450°F?

Cooking salmon in the oven at a high heat of 450°F has some major advantages

• Fast cooking time – The high temperature means the salmon bakes much more quickly than at conventional bake temps like 350°F. Dinner can be on the table in less than 15 minutes!

• Tender, flaky texture – The intense 450°F heat seals in moisture, resulting in salmon that’s deliciously tender and flaky on the inside.

• Flavor development – The hotter temperature helps create a flavorful browned exterior crust while keeping the inside nice and moist.

• Versatility – Easy to adapt for fillets of varying thickness, plus works well with many flavors and seasoning combinations.

For these reasons, 450°F is my go-to baking temperature whenever I’m cooking up a salmon dinner

How Long to Bake Salmon at 450°F

The exact time needed to bake salmon at 450°F depends on the thickness and size of your fillets. Here are some general guidelines:

• Salmon fillets 1 inch thick – Bake for 10-12 minutes
• Salmon fillets 1.5 inches thick – Bake for 12-14 minutes
• Large salmon steaks/fillets 2+ inches thick – Bake for 14-18 minutes

Salmon fillets should be baked at 450°F for 8 to 10 minutes per inch of thickness.

It’s always best to rely on visual cues versus just cook times to determine when your salmon is done. Check for opaque, flaky flesh and ensure it’s cooked to your desired doneness. Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should be 140°F for medium doneness.

Pro tip: For even cooking, choose fillets that are similar in size and thickness when baking multiple pieces of salmon at once.

Step-By-Step Guide to Baking Salmon at 450°F

Follow these simple steps for baked salmon that’s moist, tender and full of flavor every time.

1. Prep the salmon

• Pat dry fillets with paper towels and brush off any scales or debris.
• Use tweezers to remove any pinbones.
• Season with salt, pepper and any other spices or herb rubs. You can also coat with oil, mustard, or citrus for added flavor.

2. Preheat oven & prep baking sheet

• Preheat your oven to 450°F.
• Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. The high heat of 450°F can cause salmon to stick to the pan, so a liner is recommended.

3. Arrange salmon skin-side down

• Place fillets skin-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Skin-side down prevents curling.

• Space fillets evenly apart if cooking more than one. This allows hot air flow for even cooking.

4. Bake for 10-15 minutes

• Once your oven is fully preheated to 450°F, bake the salmon for 10-15 minutes based on thickness.

• I like to bake salmon for 8-10 minutes per inch of thickness as a general rule when baking at this high heat.

5. Check for doneness

• Check for doneness at the low end of your estimated cook time range. Salmon can go from perfect to overcooked quickly at such high heat.

• Use a food thermometer to check for 140°F at the thickest part or flake the flesh with a fork to test for opaque, flaky doneness.

• For rare or medium-rare salmon, cook to 115-125°F internal temperature.

6. Rest, serve and enjoy!

• Let salmon rest 3-5 minutes before serving. This allows juices to redistribute for moist, tender results.

• Plate and top with any glazes, salsas or sauces. Enjoy your delicious oven-baked salmon!

Tips for Juicy, Flavorful Salmon

Follow these tips for salmon that comes out of the oven tender, flaky and bursting with flavor:

• Brush with oil or rub with dry spices – Lightly coating the salmon with oil or dry-rubbing with spices and herbs before baking helps form a flavorful, caramelized exterior crust.

• Use a baking sheet liner – Lining your pan prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Parchment paper or foil work well.

• Cook at higher temp first – Starting at a higher temp like 500°F for the first 2-3 minutes helps give a crispier sear before turning down to 450°F.

• Rely on thermometer over time – Doneness temperatures give better precision than cook times. Salmon can overcook quickly at high heat.

• Let rest before serving – Letting the salmon sit for a few minutes after baking allows the juices to redistribute so your fish stays nice and moist.

Pair with Flavorful Toppings, Glazes & Sides

Oven-baked salmon already has delicious flavor on its own, but you can enhance it with flavorful toppings, glazes and sauce pairings. Here are some of my favorite ways to finish or serve 450°F baked salmon:

• Pesto, chimichurri or herb sauce
• Teriyaki, soy or hoisin glaze
• Salsa, pico de gallo or olive tapenade
• Lemon, lime, orange or mango salsa
• Mango, peach or pineapple salsa
• Fresh herbs like dill, cilantro or chives
• Toasted nuts or seeds
• Compound butter with garlic, herbs and citrus

For side dishes, baked salmon pairs wonderfully with roasted potatoes, rice pilaf, couscous or quinoa for soaking up any sauces or drippings. Steamed vegetables like asparagus, green beans or broccoli round out the meal nicely.

Don’t be afraid to get creative with flavors that complement the omega-3-rich taste of salmon. The oven does a lot of the work with high-heat baking, so focus on picking fun flavors and easy sides to make your 450°F salmon extra special.

Common Baking Salmon Questions

If you’re new to baking salmon, there are probably still some questions swirling in your mind. Here I’ll tackle some of the most frequently asked questions about cooking salmon in the oven at 450°F:

How do I know when the oven is fully preheated to 450°F?

Most standard ovens take 15-20 minutes to fully preheat to 450°F. Wait until your oven’s preheat light or alert goes off before putting the salmon in to bake.

Should I flip the salmon halfway through baking?

Flipping is not necessary! Salmon fillets cook evenly and skin-side down prevents curling, so you can leave the fish undisturbed during baking.

Can I bake salmon straight from frozen?

Yes, you can bake salmon directly from frozen at 450°F! Just extend cook time by 5 minutes or so and rely more on internal temp than time.

What if my salmon sticks to the baking pan?

This can happen at high temps if the pan isn’t lined. Use a liner like parchment or foil, and allow salmon to release itself as it cooks rather than forcing it off the pan.

Is wild or farmed salmon better for baking?

Both wild and farmed salmon work well! Choose sustainable sources for environmental benefits. Wild often has better omega-3 content.

How do I bake salmon without drying it out?

Cook at higher temp for less time, use a thermometer for doneness, let rest before serving, and avoid overcrowding fillets so they steam instead of bake.

Enjoy Perfectly Baked Salmon Any Night of the Week

Now there’s no reason not to enjoy delicious oven-baked salmon any night of the week! Baking at a high 450°F temperature delivers salmon that’s tender, flaky and full of moisture in minimal time with easy prep.

Keep this guide handy so you can consult the baking time chart, step-by-step instructions and pro tips next time the craving for salmon strikes. Your oven is a simple yet powerful tool for turning out amazing salmon entrées to keep in your regular dinner rotation.

So preheat that oven, line a pan, grab some fresh fillets and get ready to enjoy the foolproof method for cooking salmon to flaky, moist perfection every time. Your tasty baked salmon paired with fun flavors and sides is just 10-15 minutes away!