Everyone needs a good go-to salmon recipe, and this Baked Salmon recipe is perfection. It’s seasoned with butter, garlic, fresh herbs, and lemon juice, then baked in the oven until it’s nice and flakey. 

Though I have many salmon recipe on my site, this Baked Salmon is the first recipe I’m sharing using a whole 2 lb. salmon fillet! 

See, my Whole30 garlic salmon and my honey soy salmon tend to be weeknight staples in our household, but this baked salmon is giving those a run for their money! 

It’s pretty fool-proof, and instead of being coated in dried spices, it’s coated in fresh herbs, along with some butter (can you really go wrong when butter is involved?!). 

Recipe features

• A light yet flavorful recipe that easily makes 4 servings, if not more
• A super easy, non-intimidating way to cook a whole salmon fillet
• Packs many health benefits, including but not limited to a good source of omega-3’s, protein and healthy fats. 

Ingredients 

Salmon – A whole 2 lb. salmon fillet — either sockeye, Atlantic salmon or the variety of your choice — works best. But, you can also use pre-portioned salmon fillets if you prefer, just know that the bake time may be a bit different. 

Butter – Softened; can use dairy-free butter to keep this recipe dairy free. Or, you can substitute olive oil if you prefer.

Garlic – No substitute.

Herbs – A combination of dill, chives and parsley work well. 

Lemon juice – Optional, but adds even more flavor and pairs well with the garlic butter. 

Instructions 

Step 1: Make the herb butter. First, make sure the butter is softened, then stir in the minced garlic, salt and pepper, along with the chopped herbs.

Step 2: Season the salmon. Pat the salmon with a paper towel to ensure it’s completely dry, then sprinkle a small amount of salt over top. Spread the butter all over the salmon. This may take a minute or two, so be patient — I recommend using the back of a spoon to do this. 

Step 3: Bake the salmon. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, then carefully lift the salmon and place it on top. Bake it at 400° for 15 minutes, then switch the oven to broil and broil for 3-4 minutes.

Tips and tricks

• Don’t want to use butter? No problem! If you want to lighten this up a bit, you can use olive oil instead. Simply brush it into the salmon, then sprinkle the garlic and herbs overtop.
• If you’re eating this as leftovers, you may want to pour a little bit of melted butter over the salmon.
• To make this a bit more lemon-y, simply add a few lemon slices over the salmon before baking it. 

What kind of salmon should I use?

Any variety of salmon will work. I used a whole sockeye salmon fillet from the seafood counter at the grocery store, but Atlantic salmon, Coho salmon or King salmon would be delicious. 

If you prefer to use pre-portioned fillets, simply bake them for less time (probably closer to 12 minutes instead of 15, though bake time always depends on the thickness of the fish.

How do you know when salmon is done?

There are a few ways to check when salmon is baked:

1. Check the internal temperature using a food thermometer. Stick it into the thickest part of the fish and make sure it reads between 125-130°F.

2. Use a fork to see if the salmon flakes easily or not (it should!).

What sides pair well with baked salmon? 

Any sort of veggies would be delicious. I’m thinking of my Sautéed Asparagus, Fried Brussels Sprouts, Instant Pot Broccoli or a simple side of green beans. 

Storage

Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 

Make ahead: If you want to prep this in advance, you can make the herb butter and store it in a small bowl, and make sure the fish is completely thawed. That way, everything is ready to go for when you want to make it (I don’t recommend prepping more than 24 hours in advance).

Reheating: You can reheat salmon in the microwave, or bake it in the oven at 350° until it’s warmed through. 

More easy fish recipes

• Crispy Cod Sandwich
• Cajun Salmon
• Mediterranean Baked Cod 

If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!