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.
Cooking salmon to tender, flaky perfection might seem intimidating, but it’s actually quite easy using the foil packet method at 425 degrees Fahrenheit. With just a few simple guidelines for timing based on the thickness of your salmon fillet, you’ll turn out moist, delicious salmon every time.
Why Choose 425 Degrees for Salmon?
Baking salmon in foil at 425 degrees F is a great way to ensure the fish cooks up tender and flavorful. Here’s why 425 degrees F is an ideal temperature for foil-wrapped salmon:
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Keeps the moisture in—The foil pouch gently steams the salmon and also lets it bake, which keeps it moist and delicate.
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Intensifies Flavor – Any seasoning or marinade added to the salmon is concentrated within the sealed foil packet,
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Quickly Cooks—The salmon cooks more quickly at 425 degrees F than at lower temperatures.
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Easy to Check—Just briefly opening the foil pouch lets you see if the food is done. Re-seal if salmon needs more time.
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Prevents Overcooking – The moist environment within the foil is forgiving even if baked slightly longer than needed.
So 425 degrees F gives you the bonus of quick cooking while still keeping the salmon supers moist and packing it with flavor
How Thickness Impacts Cook Time
The most important factor in determining how long to bake salmon in foil at 425 degrees F is the thickness of the particular fillet.
Here are general guidelines for 425 degree F oven timing based on salmon thickness:
- 1/2 inch thick – Bake for 5-6 minutes
- 3/4 inch thick – Bake for 6-8 minutes
- 1 inch thick – Bake for 8-10 minutes
- 1 1/2 inches thick – Bake for 10-12 minutes
To get the thickness of your salmon fillet, lay it on the foil and use a ruler to measure straight up from the skin/bottom to the thickest part of the fillet.
Then follow the times above based on the measured thickness, adjusting up or down slightly as needed. Check for doneness early and re-seal foil if salmon needs a bit longer.
Step-By-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps for flawlessly cooked salmon every time using the 425 degree F foil packet method:
1. Prep the Foil
- Cut a sheet of heavy-duty foil about 12-14 inches long.
- Coat foil lightly with cooking spray or drizzle with olive oil.
2. Add Salmon and Seasonings
- Place salmon fillet in center of foil, skin-side down.
- Sprinkle salmon generously with desired seasonings. slices of lemon, garlic, fresh herbs, salt, and pepper are great flavor additions!
3. Seal the Foil Pouch
- Bring together foil sides and fold over several times to seal packet, leaving room inside for steam circulation.
- Foil should be tightly sealed to lock in moisture and flavors.
4. Bake at 425°F
- Place sealed foil pouch directly on oven rack or baking sheet.
- Bake at 425°F for 5-12 minutes based on thickness.
5. Check for Doneness
- Salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork and is opaque throughout.
- For extra precision, use an instant-read thermometer to check for 145°F.
6. Rest and Serve
- Remove salmon from oven and let rest in foil 5 minutes.
- Carefully open packet, garnish salmon if desired, and enjoy your perfectly baked salmon!
Tips for Moist, Flavorful Salmon
Here are some extra tips to ensure your foil-baked salmon at 425 degrees turns out juicy, tender and packed with flavor every time:
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Use wild-caught salmon for best texture and flavor. Try Sockeye or Coho.
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Add pats of butter or brush with oil before sealing foil for extra moisture.
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Season generously with salt, pepper, garlic, herbs, citrus or other flavor boosters.
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If thinner fillet starts to overcook, remove from heat, cover with new foil, and let residual heat finish cooking.
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Leftovers keep well refrigerated up to 3 days. Reheat gently to avoid drying out.
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For easy skin removal after baking, leave skin on during cooking process.
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Use fresh vs. dried herbs to avoid a ‘dusty’ taste.
Things to Avoid
Steer clear of these common salmon baking mistakes:
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Adding too little seasoning – salmon can handle bold, robust flavors.
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Baking at too high of temperature – beyond 425°F may dry out the salmon.
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Overcrowding the foil packet – leave room around fillet for steam flow.
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Overcooking – check for doneness early and remember salmon will continue cooking after removed from oven.
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Letting salmon sit in foil too long after baking – this can cause steeping and make it watery.
Master the Easy Foil Packet Method
Baking salmon in foil at 425 degrees F is truly one of the easiest ways to prepare salmon for a restaurant-quality meal at home. Follow the thickness guidelines to perfectly time how long your fillet bakes. Generously season, tightly seal the foil, and in no time you’ll be enjoying tender, flaky, delicious salmon right from your own oven.
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!.
How long to cook salmon in oven at 425?
FAQ
How long for salmon at 425?
Is it better to cook salmon in foil or not?
How long to bake salmon at 425 reddit?
Do you need to flip salmon in foil?
How do you cook salmon in foil?
Seal and Bake: Cover the salmon with another foil sheet, crimping the edges together to form a tight seal. Place the foil packet on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes, until the salmon is perfectly cooked. Oven baking salmon in foil results in a tasty meal and minimal cleanup.
Is honey baked salmon good for Weight loss?
Salmon is a source of omega-fatty acids. It is good for brain function and preventing heart disease. However, When considering weight loss, there is a simple equation we have to take into account. We consume energy as we boost energy. Losing weight needs a reduced consumption of energy or extra physical activity. Honey-baked salmon by itself does not affect our metabolism in losing weight.
How do you cook salmon fillets in the oven?
Whisk the melted butter, lemon zest and juice, garlic, and seasonings in a large bowl. Top the salmon fillets with the butter sauce and fold the foil to create a packet. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the salmon is flaky and soft. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
What temperature do you bake salmon in foil?
Check out this recipe video with extra tips for baking salmon in foil perfectly every time: The best temperature to bake salmon is 400F for 4-6 ounce fillets and 375F for a whole salmon fillet (that’s half the salmon in one pice).