Description
This Oven Baked Salmon recipe features a tender, flavorful whole salmon fillet seasoned with a garlic butter blend, brown sugar, paprika, and Italian seasoning, then baked to juicy perfection. Ideal for an easy weeknight dinner or special occasion, it delivers moist, flaky salmon with minimal cleanup thanks to foil baking.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 (2-pound) whole salmon fillet, skin-on preferred
- 3 tablespoons melted butter OR olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- Ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep: Heat the oven to 375°F. Place a large piece of foil on a rimmed baking sheet and lay the salmon fillet on top, skin side down and pink side up. Crimp the edges of the foil around the salmon to create a small “boat” to catch juices.
- Season: In a small bowl, mix the melted butter and minced garlic. Brush half of this mixture evenly over the salmon. In another bowl, combine the brown sugar, Italian seasoning, ground paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle this seasoning mix evenly over the salmon. Drizzle the remaining garlic butter over the top.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the salmon for 20 minutes, adjusting time based on desired doneness (15 minutes for 125°F, 20 minutes for 140°F, 22 minutes for 145°F). Halfway through baking, baste the salmon with accumulated juices for extra flavor and moisture if desired.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the salmon from the oven and let it rest in the foil for 5 minutes to allow carryover cooking and juices to redistribute. Serve warm, slicing as desired.
Notes
- Salmon: Whole skin-on fillet is preferred as it’s less likely to overcook; if using individual fillets, reduce baking time to 10-15 minutes.
- Garlic: If fresh garlic is unavailable, substitute an additional teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Italian seasoning: Omit or swap with other dried herbs like oregano or rosemary based on preference.
- Butter: Let melted butter cool for 5 minutes to thicken slightly for easier brushing and better flavor absorption when mixed with garlic.
- Foil: Using foil simplifies cleanup and helps retain the garlic butter and moisture during baking.
- Internal Temperature: USDA recommends 145°F for fish, but salmon is most succulent when cooked to 125°F–130°F; use a food thermometer for best results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
