Lemon Garlic Sockeye Salmon Recipe - Easy Oven Baked Salmon! (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to bake salmon at 350 or 400? ›

What is the best temperature to bake salmon? 400°F (205°C) is ideal as it allows the fish to gain colour and the skin to become crispy. If you prefer a milder method, you can bake it at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes or until done. The salmon baked at 425°F (215°C) produces tender, creamy fillets that cook quickly.

Preheat oven to 375 F. Line a baking dish with foil. Coat salmon with cooking oil on both sides and season to your liking. Place salmon, skin-side down, in baking dish and bake for 10-15 minutes or until done.

Baked salmon is best when cooked at 425°F in the oven.

Even thicker fillets don't take long. We recommend baking the salmon uncovered. Simply rub the fillets with a little oil, sprinkle them with salt and pepper, then place them in the roasting pan skin-side down before popping them in the oven.

The temperature of your oven: We tested this recipe at various temperatures, including 375, 400, and 425 degrees F. However, we found that a gentle, low-temperature oven—ideally, 375 degrees F. for 10 minutes (until it is medium-rare) —produced the most tender, moist salmon.

So, you want skin that is super crisp and flavorful, just as you would want with chicken. Starting your salmon skin-side down, and cooking it until it is well rendered, lightly browned, and crisp, and then turning the salmon to finish the cooking, will make for a terrific dining experience.

The gentler heat cooks the salmon slowly and reduces the chances of overcooking. It also gives you the time to calmly assess when the salmon is done. Bake the salmon at 275°F for 20 minutes, or at 300°F for 10 to 15 minutes.

Cooking salmon in foil just makes things easier. It creates a buttery, fresh, evenly cooked fish without having to be as precise. Moisture is preserved while flavor is exploded! Your fish won't have any char marks either!

Culinary experts and chefs recommend using large stainless steel or cast iron pan for baking salmon in the oven. Though you can use pans made of other materials as well, these two are just the most recommended ones. If you're wrapping your salmon in foil you can even simply use a baking sheet or cookie pan.

Use a “barrier”: This tip will come in handy when you're baking fillets. Olive oil, butter, or even a sauce can serve as a protective barrier between the salmon and the heat, allowing it to cook without losing too much moisture. Herbs, vegetables, and lemon slices can also be used to to fillets as they cook.

Salmon does not need to be rinsed; in fact, rinsing the fish can lead to contamination. Salmon is an increasingly popular fish that's easy to prepare at home with minimal fuss. It's an oily fish loaded with omega-3 fatty acids.

How long should salmon be in at 350? ›

The ideal temperature to bake salmon is at 350°. At that temperature, a large piece of salmon should take about 25 minutes to bake in the oven.

Salmon Temperature – 125°F

While the FDA recommends cooking fish to 145°F, for a flakier, more moist and tender salmon filet, many chefs find that it's best enjoyed when cooked to medium – 125°F. Check out these key temperatures for Smoked Salmon, or look at a great method for grilling salmon!

Bake salmon at 400 degrees F for 11 to 14 minutes for 6-ounce fillets or 15 to 18 minutes for a single side, until it registers 135 degrees F on an instant read thermometer inserted at the thickest part of the salmon. Remove from the oven and let rest 5 minutes.

In general, a large (2-pound) side of salmon bakes at 375 degrees F in 15 to 20 minutes. This is the size of the salmon you see in these photos. Individual, 6-ounce portions bake in 12 to 14 minutes at 400 degrees F.