Best Salmon Seasoning For Oven

Baked Salmon Ingredients & Cooking Tools:

First off, lets talk grocery shopping. To make this baked salmon recipe, you will need:

• Salmon: When it comes to purchasing salmon, I recommend looking for filets that are:
• Good-quality: Its important to me that any salmon I buy is wild-caught and sustainably harvested. I recommend looking for Pacific or Alaskan Salmon there are many varieties of salmon to choose from. In general, look for salmon whose skin is bright silvery, and whose flesh is shiny and moist and brightly-colored. Also avoid salmon that smells too fishy it should smell more like the saltwater of the ocean.
• Skin-on: Even if youre not a fan of salmon skin, I highly recommend purchasing your filets skin-on if nothing else because it will help prevent the salmon from drying out while cooking. You can always eat around the skin.

You will also need :

Best Fresh Herbs For Salmon Seasoning

If, though, you want to get a little more creative, you can add some fresh herbs to the mix. Dont forgo the salt and pepper completely you still need those ingredients as your base but just add a little bit of other herbs and spices on top.

Three herbs that always go well with salmon include rosemary, thyme and basil. Rosemary is an especially nice choice if baking your salmon, as you can lay whole sprigs in the bottom of your baking dish or on your parchment paper-lined sheet pan, and then lay the salmon filet directly onto the fresh rosemary. You can do the same thing with fresh thyme sprigs. If using basil, just sprinkle the finely chopped leaves atop the filet before cooking.

How To Make Salmon Seasoning

Measure out all the ingredients into a clean dry bowl.

Mix the ingredients together till they are well combined.

Pour the seasoning in an airtight container or spice jar.

It’s ready to use or store in a cool dry place away from sunlight.

Shake the jar to mix anytime you want to use it.

This recipe makes 6 tablespoons of salmon seasoning. This season up to 3lb. I recommend you use a tablespoon of seasoning for every half pound of salmon.

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How To Tell When Salmon Is Done

Its very easy to overcook salmon, and a lot of people think they dont like salmon just because theyve always overcooked it, or been served overcooked salmon. Were here to help you love salmon like you should, because this deeply flavorful, meaty fish isnt just good for youits a gustatory delight! It just needs to be cooked with care. Heres how to tell when salmon is done :

How Long Do You Bake A Whole Salmon In Foil

• Give it a good 15-18 minutes in a HOT oven. While your salmon is baking, dont be tempted to keep opening the foil packet to see if its done.
• THEN, , youre going to open your foil packet and broil the salmon for an extra 2-3 minutes , which results in a caramelised, crispy top, and a tender, flakey middle. Gah!
• PLEASE dont over cook your salmon! Theres nothing worse than dry salmon. The BEST salmon cooked in foil is when it is still juicy on the inside with crispy edges thanks to the honey.

Either slice it up ready to serve to your guests.. OR pull it apart as soon as it comes out of the oven into a flakey mess and serve it over steamed rice or salad or vegetables or pasta. The options are endless.

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This Honey Garlic Butter Salmon In Foil Recipe Is An Easy Dinner To Throw Together On Your Busy Weeknights Or Weekends

A delicious 4-ingredient honey garlic butter sauce is baked with a whole side of salmon, wrapped in foil, baked and broiled for that extra golden, crispy, caramelised and flakey finish! The BEST Salmon In Foil IS RIGHT HERE! So simple with minimal mess to clean up!

Honey AND garlic butter all mixed together is one thing, but smearing it on a good side of salmon is something else! Baking it in its own foil packet makes it so juicy and tender, it falls apart on its own. Your new favourite salmon recipe is here!

Which Type Of Salmon Is Best For You

This topic comes up for discussion a lot, especially when comparing the wild salmon fillets from Alaska and the farmed Atlantic salmon.

Farmed salmon:

• are raised in fish farms, also known as aquacultures
• eat a diet of processed feed
• contain Omega-3 fatty acids as well as Vitamins A and D

On the other hand, wild salmon:

• are raised in a natural habitat, such as rivers and oceans
• eat organisms and other food found in their natural environment
• have a color that is more vibrant and intense than farmed salmon
• pack more nutritional benefit per ounce than farmed fish

If given the option, I would pick wild-caught salmon varieties such as coho salmon, sockeye, pink salmon or King salmon or Chinook salmon. They are a little more expensive but I feel like the extra nutrition and health benefits that the fillets have is worth it.

A cheaper alternative is purchasing frozen wild-caught salmon instead of fresh. All you have to do is thaw it overnight in the fridge.

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Internal Temperature For Salmon

The USDA recommends an internal temperature of 145°F minimum for all fish.

However, this is quite high for salmon and if youre willing to forego this internal temperature recommendation at your own risk, 125°F 130°F is actually when salmon is the most succulent, while still perfectly flaky. As far as the risk goes most chefs will cook salmon to 120°F 125°F and if you order salmon when you eat out, chances are youve been eating salmon cooked below 145°F all along.

I usually cook my salmon to 125°F, then let it rest until it reaches 130°F about 5 minutes. Then I serve it. But please pick a temperature you feel comfortable with, and if you want to cook your salmon to 145°F it will still be perfectly nice. Just make sure you pull it FAST when it reaches the temperature.

I do highly recommend a food thermometer for controlled cooking. They are cheap and effective, and Ive been a huge fan ever since I started using one a few years ago. I even use it to check the internal temperature of cake. Well worth the small investment!

Ways To Serve Baked Salmon

If you taste oven-baked salmon, you will take no other fish again. Clueless about how to serve it, dont worry. You can serve it with mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, rice, and veggies. You can also layer it on your salads like tomato-cucumber salad, mozzarella salad, and Kachumbari, or take it with your grain.

Other delicious Salmon recipes to try:

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How Much To Cook

The cooking time is based on the thickness of the salmon fillet. For every inch, i.e., 2.5 cm of thickness, cook the salmon for 10 minutes. For example, if the fillet is 1.5 inches, which is 4 cm thick, then cook it for 15 minutes.

A seasoning can make or break any dish very easily. Finding what works and doesnt work with a particular meat is crucial. A good seasoning should support the main dish, in this case the salmon, while sharing the spotlight with it. It should neither be overpowering, nor should it take the backseat. Salmon has such a delicate flavor, and yet it has a distinct taste to it. Keeping the seasoning to the minimum while choosing ingredients, and make sure they complement the fish.

The cooking time of salmon is equally important. It too can easily ruin an exquisite dish. Whether you choose to bake, smoke, broil, pan sear, pan-fry a fish, or simply choose to use it in a salad, or along with a salad, the cooking time matters. Dont forget to keep an eye on the fish while it is cooking to prevent the skin from blackening. Peel off the blackened skin if it does burn a little.

How To Make Baked Salmon

• Buy and prepare your fresh, pink moist salmon fillets. Preferably wild-caught.
• Preheat your oven to 400°F or 200°C and prepare your baking pan by greasing it.
• Season your salmon fillet with salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper, and arrange it on the baking pan.
• Mix other ingredients like olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon juice, and paprika. Paste and rub this mixture all over the salmon fillet leaving no spots untouched. Slice the lemon and place the slice on the salmon.
• Place the baking pan in the oven and leave the salmon to bake for 10 -12 minutes. When you cut the meaty center, you will know when the salmon is done through your meat thermometer or when it turns flaky.
• Garnish the savory salmon with fresh parsley and serve.

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Best Seasoning For Salmon: Frying Method

If youve ever ordered fish at a restaurant, chances

are it was seared with a wonderful golden crust and

skin that was so crispy. The good news is that you can

do it yourself.

Im pretty sure its the easiest:

• Coat the bottom of a nonstick or cast-iron skillet with the fat of your choosing the best seasoning for salmon! and heat it over medium-high.
• Place your filets skin side up in the pan and cook until they release easily with a spatula.
• Itll be a simple flip once .the crust has fully formed, which should take around 6 minutes.
• After flipping, cook for another 4 minutes or until the skin is beautiful and crispy.
• For frying method, you need to season the salmon to be more crunchy!

The two most important factors in achieving crispy salmon skin are dry skin and not skimping on oil! Oil helps to evenly distribute the heat in the pan and crisp the skin.

What Youll Need For The Best Baked Salmon

When it comes to salmon, dont overthink it. All you really need is a simple lemon butter sauce and a sprinkle of herbs to make it super delicious.

• Salmon: You can make this with individual filets or one large piece . It works great either way!
• Butter: Keeps the salmon moist and adds that delicious buttery taste.
• Lemon Juice: A squeeze of lemon adds a bright and zesty touch.
• Garlic: Im using 3 garlic cloves, but feel free to add more or less!
• Herbs: A parsley and dill combo complements the salmon perfectly.

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

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Why I Love This Recipe:

Healthy You cant beat a fillet of perfectly cooked salmon next to a nice salad or roasted vegetables. Its delicious and leaves you feeling full of energy!

Easy Follow my step-by-step instructions and tips you wont believe how easy perfectly cooked salmon can be!

Versatile I have included three different seasoning options for you to choose from, and you can also choose to bake the salmon in foil or on a sheet pan.

How Long To Bake Salmon

Roast for 4 6 minutes per 1/2-inch thickness of fillet. Baking time depends on the thickness of your salmon fillets.

• MEDIUM: 4 minutes PER 1/2-inch.
• WELL DONE: 6 minutes per 1/2-inch.

The salmon fillets pictured needed 11 minutes. Be careful not to over bake as salmon can become dry and unpleasant to eat when over-cooked.

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Salmon Marinade With Lemon Garlic And Herbs

Photo and Recipe by The Seasoned Mom

If, though, you’d rather not indulge in the sweet flavor profile of the above recipe, you can opt for a more savory, bright marinade, like this one. There’s still a little bit of honey in the marinade, but it contrasts very nicely with the lemon juice, red wine vinegar and array of fresh herbs like rosemary and basil.

Can You Eat Salmon Skin

Yes! Crispy salmon skin is not only delicious, but it’s also healthy, too. Salmon skin contains high amounts of heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acids, so don’t skip the skin. But salmon skin that is not crispy, isn’t very appetizing. Here’s how to turn salmon skin into salmon bacon:

When the salmon is cooked, remove it from the baking sheet by sliding a spatula between the skin and the flesh. This will leave the salmon skin on the baking sheet. Now pop the baking sheet back into the oven and turn the oven off. The residual heat from the oven will crisp the salmon skin so that by the time you finish eating, you’ll have a little salmon bacon for dessert.

Thanks, Danielle, for teaching that trick!

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How Do You Tell If Salmon Is Cooked Fully

The meat is cooked with the fat liquifies and runs out. Cook the salmon further only to get the degree of doneness that you desire. When flakes separate easily but the meat is translucent, its rare but edible.

The flavor is incredible in this salmon. Any sauce that involves brown sugar, garlic, and soy sauce, I know will become a favorite! This meal is perfect for feeding your family an impressive meal. And it makes a perfect holiday meal as well!

This is going to be a recipe that you make again and again!

Easy Baked Salmon Ingredients

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for baked salmon recipes, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

• Salmon I prefer wild-caught salmon, but you can use your favorite variety.
• Olive Oil Or avocado oil. Alternatively, melted butter can be delicious here as well.
• Lemon Juice Use fresh or jarred lemon juice.
• Garlic Crushed or minced. Use fresh garlic cloves if you like them crushed, or for minced garlic, you can mince it fresh or use the jarred kind.
• Herbs I use fresh dill and fresh parsley, but thyme would also go nicely. Dried herbs are not recommended, but if you really want to use them in a pinch, use 1/3 the amount of fresh.
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper
• Lemon slices Optional, but adds a nice flavor and presentation.

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Sweet And Smoky Seasoning

If youre looking to grill your salmon steaks or filets, this sweet and smoky seasoning is a great choice. This smoky flavor with a hint of sweetness accompanies the light texture and flavor of any high-quality salmon cut. Its the perfect mixture for a bold grill-out with macaroni and cheese or a pile of Southern coleslawreally any barbecue-ready sides.

This blend is super simple. You mix brown sugar, black pepper, sea salt, dried basil, garlic, paprika, and a little lime zest in a small bowl to create your seasoning. Citrus is always great with fish, especially the rich flavor of grilled salmon. Basil and brown sugar are sweet. Smoked paprika and garlic are bold and lingering. Finally, salt and pepper balances it out with salty and spicy kicks.

This blend will create a full-bodied flavor thatll stick with you throughout your meal. Even while munching your flavorful sides. The spices will delight your taste buds with their woody and meaty nuances, all packed inside a flaky and fresh seafood delicacy. Can you say YUM?

A Healthy Easy Weeknight Go

Baked salmon is such a stapleits healthy, fast, easy, and you can keep a frozen salmon filet in the freezer and basically be ready to make this anytime you need a quick dinner. It goes with just about anything, too. Pair it with a salad, or pasta, or some good breadwhatever youve gotand youll have a simple nutritious meal you can feel really good about. If you make it, let us know how you like it! Share a photo and tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper so that we can see your stuff! Happy eating!

This post was sponsored by our friends at Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon. Thank you for supporting us and the brands we truly love!

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How To Make This Baked Salmon

Full recipe with detailed steps in the recipe card at the end of this post.

• Place the salmon fillets skin-side-down on the baking tray.
• Mix together melted butter, garlic, honey, parsley, salt, pepper and paprika and pour over the salmon fillets
• Arrange the lemon wedges on and around the salmon.
• Bake for 12-15 minutes, basting once during cooking.

That’s it! Tender, fall-apart salmon with a lovely sticky-garlic glaze.

How To Shop For Salmon

Shopping for salmon is easy. Just follow these simple tips:

• If you can smell it, make sure it doesnt smell fishy. Fresh salmon shouldnt have any kind of fishy smell.
• Avoid fresh salmon that appears dried out or has brown spots or bruising.
• The flesh should be vibrantly colored and not anemic or pale looking.
• If youre purchasing frozen or pre-packaged salmon, make sure there is a tight seal around the packaging and that it isnt broken anywhere or open.
• If youre not sure, read the label and stay away from anything that says color-added or has too many ingredients listed.
• You can always ask a fishmonger for advice on the various types of salmon if one is available.

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Citrus Herb Seasoning Salt

Citrus is a great companion to all sorts of seafood. The acidic flavors even out the briny fish flavor and tones back the sharp taste. This spice blend includes kosher salt, lemon zest, rosemary, thyme, oregano, sugar, paprika, and red-pepper flakes.

Rosemary, oregano, and thyme make up the herby part of the blend that is aromatic and super tasty. Paprika and red-pepper flakes give it a bold punch and a little spice. All this is balanced perfectly with the citrusy, sweet flavors of the lemon and the buttery taste of the salmon.

You can cook salmon in this citrus herb seasoning salt with lots of salmon recipes. You can simply pan fry it and serve it with steamed vegetables. Or, you can bake it for a healthier cooking method!