Classic Juicy Baked Salmon Recipe
This classic baked salmon recipe delivers a juicy and flavorful fish, enhanced with a simple seasoning of olive oil, lemon, garlic, dill, and paprika. It's a quick and healthy meal perfect for any weeknight.
Equipment
- Oven
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper or Aluminum Foil
- Small Bowl
- Whisk
- Paper Towels
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs Salmon Fillets (skin-on or off, divided into 4-6 oz portions)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 Lemon (thinly sliced, plus 1 tablespoon fresh juice)
- 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon Dried Dill (or 2 teaspoons fresh, chopped)
- 0.5 teaspoon Paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt (or to taste)
- 0.25 teaspoon Black Pepper (or to taste)
- Fresh parsley or chives (Optional: for garnish)
Instructions
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
- Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels to help the seasoning stick and create a better texture.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried dill, paprika, salt, and black pepper to create the seasoning mix.
- Place the salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet and spoon the seasoning mixture evenly over each fillet, ensuring they are well coated.
- Arrange lemon slices on top of each salmon fillet to infuse citrus flavor and keep the fish moist.
- Bake for 12-18 minutes until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
- Remove from the oven, let rest for 2-3 minutes, and garnish with fresh parsley or chives if desired before serving.
Notes
For extra flavor, you can marinate the salmon in the seasoning mixture for 15-30 minutes before baking. Adjust seasoning to your preference.