The Ultimate Guide to Baking Salmon
Whether you're preparing a gourmet dinner for guests or a quick and healthy weeknight meal for your family, baked salmon is the perfect solution. It's one of the easiest, most low-maintenance ways to cook salmon, and when paired with a flavorful marinade, it becomes a juicy, savory dish. Here’s everything you need to know about baking salmon, including the ideal cooking temperatures and times for perfect results.
How to Select Fresh Salmon
When shopping for seafood, there are several factors to consider, but we’ll break down the essentials for you. For more detailed information, check out our guide to choosing the best salmon at the store.
Different Types of Salmon Cuts
Salmon fillets are typically pre-portioned cuts, perfect for smaller meals, while a whole side of salmon is ideal for serving a larger group. After cooking, you can easily slice a whole side into portions to suit your needs.
Skin-On vs. Skinless
Certain cooking methods, like pan-frying, are perfect for achieving a crispy skin, while others, such as poaching, work best with the skin removed. When it comes to baking or roasting, it’s ultimately up to you — salmon skin is edible, packed with flavor, and provides additional nutrients.
Fresh vs. Frozen Salmon
If you're not near the coast, the 'fresh' salmon you find in stores is often previously frozen and then thawed. In fact, the freshest fish in the store may actually be frozen, as it's been preserved at its best quality and won't be defrosted until you're ready to cook it.
Learn More: Why Frozen Fish is Often the Best Choice
Wild-Caught vs. Farmed Salmon
Personally, I believe the best type of salmon is the one within your budget. Wild-caught salmon is often considered the superior choice, as research shows it contains fewer contaminants compared to farmed salmon. However, wild salmon comes at a premium. Regardless, both types are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
Salmon Cooking Guidelines: Times & Temperatures
The USDA recommends cooking all fish and shellfish to an internal temperature of at least 145°F. Properly cooked salmon should be pink and opaque throughout. You can cook salmon directly from frozen, but be sure to extend the cooking time by about 50%.
Oven Temperature | 8-ounce Fillet | Whole Fillet |
350 degrees F | 16 to 18 min. | 20 to 24 min. |
375 degrees F | 14 to 16 min. | 17 to 20 min. |
400 degrees F | 12 to 14 min. | 14 to 17 min. |
425 degrees F | 10 to 12 min. | 12 to 14 min. |
450 degrees F | 8 to 10 min. | 10 to 12 min. |
How to Perfectly Bake Salmon
These steps are adapted from LADYBLADE's Baked Salmon II recipe, which uses foil to seal in the flavor and moisture — plus, it cuts down on cleanup time.
Ingredients List:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 salmon fillets
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together garlic, olive oil, basil, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and parsley to create the marinade.
- Place the salmon fillets in a medium-sized baking dish and coat them with the marinade. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about one hour, turning the fillets occasionally.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and bake the salmon for about 20 minutes (since foil can reflect heat, you'll need to bake the salmon a few extra minutes — this adjusted time accounts for that), or until the internal temperature reaches between 140°F and 145°F.
Evaluation :
5/5