How long to bake salmon at 350 degrees F is here. This is the best time to cook salmon with dry rub or just lemon slices so that it is flaky and fork-tender every time.
We earlier shared how long to bake salmon at 400 degrees for those of you who wondered. I used my old favorite simple fish recipe that I’ve been making for years and years this time. A little lower heat to keep it moist, and you can broil it at the end for some extra crisp. (affiliate links present).
Salmon is one of my favorite proteins to cook. It’s healthy, tasty and versatile enough to be prepared in dozens of ways. While grilling or pan searing salmon fillets result in delicious meals, baking salmon in the oven is one of the easiest and most foolproof cooking methods.
In this article, I’ll share everything you need to know about how to bake salmon fillets in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). You’ll learn how long to cook salmon at this temperature for tender, flaky results every time.
Factors That Affect Baking Time
When baking salmon, there are a few key factors that impact the total cooking time:
-
Thickness – Thicker salmon fillets take longer to cook through than thinner pieces. Aim for evenly sized fillets around 1 inch thick.
-
Temperature – The oven temperature affects how quickly the fish cooks. 350°F is on the lower end and will result in a slower bake.
-
Quantity – Baking multiple fillets together increases the overall cooking time slightly For even cooking, leave space between portions.
-
Additions – Toppings like glazes or stuffings may require extra baking time for the salmon to reach proper doneness.
-
Oven Differences – All ovens vary a bit in how they hold temperature. Get to know your appliance.
How Long to Bake Salmon at 350 Degrees
Here are some general rules for how long to bake salmon fillets at 350°F, taking these things into account:
- 1-inch thick fillets: 20 to 25 minutes
- 1 1/2-inch thick fillets: 25 to 30 minutes
- 2-inch thick fillets: 30 to 35 minutes
As you can see, thickness makes a major difference! For accurate results, always rely on a food thermometer to check doneness along with the bake time.
Checking for Proper Doneness
It’s crucial not to over or undercook salmon when baking it in the oven. Follow these visual and temperature cues:
- The thickest part should flake easily with a fork when done.
- The interior should be opaque pink/orange, not translucent.
- Use an instant read thermometer to check the thickest area – it should reach 135°F for medium doneness.
The timing guidelines above are simply estimates. The thermometer reading is the best and only foolproof way to confirm your salmon fillets are cooked properly.
Extra Tips for Perfect Oven Baked Salmon
Follow these tips for the best shot at salmon success:
- Pat the fillets dry before baking for better browning.
- Use a foil-lined pan for easy cleanup. Nonstick is also ideal.
- Brush with oil or rub on seasoning to add flavor.
- Flip halfway through baking for even cooking.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving for juicier salmon.
Now that you know about how long to bake salmon at 350°F and what signs to look for, it’s time to put this info into delicious action! Keep reading for my full method and favorite flavor ideas.
Step-by-Step Method for Oven Baked Salmon
Follow these simple steps for foolproof baked salmon every time.
Ingredients:
- 4 (6 oz) salmon fillets
- 2 tbsp olive oil or melted butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lemon slices, herbs, minced garlic etc. (optional)
Instructions:
-
Preheat oven to 350°F. Prep a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
-
Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Brush lightly with oil or melted butter and season generously with salt and pepper.
-
Arrange fillets on the baking sheet skin-side down, leaving space between each. Top with any garlic, herbs, citrus slices if desired.
-
Bake for 20-25 minutes, until salmon flakes easily and reaches 135°F internally.
-
Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your deliciously baked salmon!
Mix Up the Flavors
Salmon tastes great with just about any flavors. Try these creative combinations:
- Lemon-Dill – Lemon slices + fresh dill + s&p
- Honey-Soy – Soy sauce, honey, minced garlic
- Mediterranean – Tomatoes, olives, oregano
- Maple-Mustard – Maple syrup, Dijon mustard, thyme
Don’t be afraid to experiment with global flavors and seasonings. The possibilities are endless!
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about baking this flavorful fish in your oven? Here are some common FAQs:
Should the salmon skin be on or off?
This is personal preference. Skin-on retains moisture, while skinless allows seasoning direct contact. Choose what you enjoy!
What temperature should baked salmon be?
130-135°F in the thickest part is ideal for medium doneness with a touch of pinkness inside.
Can I foil wrap the salmon while baking?
Yes! Wrapping in foil helps steam the fish, keeping it extra moist and tender. Add seasonings inside the packet.
What if my salmon is undercooked or overcooked?
If undercooked, return to the oven for a few more minutes until flaky. If overcooked, learn for next time to reduce baking time and pull it sooner.
Should I flip the salmon halfway through baking?
Flipping halfway helps ensure even cooking. But if the presentation with topping is important, you can bake through skin-side down only.
Perfectly Baked Salmon Awaits You
There you have it – everything you need to know to bake salmon fillets to tender, flaky perfection at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Follow the approximate cook times based on thickness. But always rely on the visual tests and thermometer readings to determine doneness accurately.
Vary up the flavors to keep your baked salmon interesting. Enjoy this healthy, delicious fish on its own or in tacos, on salads, in pasta, and more. The options are unlimited with such a versatile ingredient.
Once you get the basic method down, you’ll be able to customize it to your tastes. Your kitchen will soon be filled with the mouthwatering aroma of oven-baked salmon success!
How Long to Cook Salmon at 350
They are very picky about whether they cook frozen salmon or fresh filets if they’ve ever lived on the coast like we did. Every time I eat out and the bottom of the fish is gray, it makes me want to cry! You don’t have to bake it until it’s deader than dead, people. Less is more when it comes to fish.
It should be easy for your fork to go through and for your bite to come off of the whole piece. For this to work, it needs to be cooked just long enough to lose its clear color, but not for too long. It will dry out with even one or two more minutes beyond that point. It is tricky, I won’t deny that but let’s talk about how to cook salmon perfectly here.
Oven Baked Salmon 350 Degrees
You can use this same temperature to make air fryer salmon with dry rub too if you’d rather. The texture is crispier on top for that one but still wonderful. With preheating you are still looking at around 20 minutes to be done.
The outside should turn light pink with white while the insides will be light pink on the inside. If the center has a see thru or translucent look to it you need another minute or two. But a meat thermometer is the best way to be sure that the thickest part has reached 140 to 145 degrees F.
That is actually just protein rising to the surface, it’s totally fine to eat. Most of the time, these show that it’s just a little too done, but it’s hard to get it completely done without them. You can brush them off of the surface to serve or leave as is.
Got extra food? You can always put it in aluminum foil and freeze it for the next day, after it cools down. I like to cut things up and put them on top of teriyaki sauced rice to make them a little more moist. OR make it into our salmon quiche recipe. Now jump to recipe and let us know what you think!!.
Before you go I want you to sign up for my free newsletter!! You will get all my new recipes emailed to you a few times a week that will help with meal planning for the week.
Want to see a few of my favorite things that I am totally obsessed with?? Take a peek and see how many you might already have…twinsies!
Looking for more easy family recipes and tips? LIKE The Typical Mom Facebook page because we share all our new creations there every single day. And follow me on Pinterest for more inspirations!
*****Please rate this recipe with 5 stars and tell everyone what you thought. .
