Oven Baked Salmon In Foil is the easiest way to make tender, flavorful salmon every time. The foil packets lock in moisture and infuse the salmon with lemon and fresh dill. Baked over a bed of asparagus, it’s the perfect recipe for a quick weeknight meal!

Oven baked salmon in foil over asparagus with a fork cutting into it.

Oh gosh, do you believe it is almost the middle of the year? I told my husband yesterday that it feels like this year has just been flying by. I guess every year we feel the same way, right?

One of my New Year’s resolutions was to eat fresh dishes as much as possible, and I’m proud to say I’m still sticking to it. This oven-baked salmon perfectly meets all my needs! Here are the reasons why:

It is D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S and so easy to make for a weeknight dinner!
This is one of our favorite salmon dinners because it’s fast and easy. I know you’re going to love this recipe as much as we do!
You probably have all the ingredients on hand.
You won’t dirty a baking sheet thanks to the foil packets.
You have a whole meal ready to go in under 30 minutes! You can prep it in as little as 10 minutes and the clean-up is even faster.
Last, you don’t even need to make a side dish, because the asparagus is already your side dish! But you can also serve it with quinoa salad and rice.

I’ve made many versions of oven baked salmon in foil, like Spicy Salmon in Foil or Garlic Butter Salmon in Foil. No matter what, the salmon is always so tender and packed with flavor.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Salmon Fillets: I recommend wild-caught salmon for the best flavor and texture. It’s richer, less oily, and bakes beautifully. I’ve tested both pre-cut fillets and one large piece cut into portions, and both work well as long as the pieces are similar in size for even cooking.

Olive Oil: Extra-virgin olive oil gives the salmon a light, fruity flavor that complements the lemon and herbs. I’ve also tried avocado oil and melted butter. Both great options if you prefer a milder or richer taste.

Seasonings: I usually keep it simple with dried oregano, kosher salt, and black pepper, but this recipe is so versatile. I’ve tested it with lemon pepper, Italian seasoning, and a spoonful of pesto. All delicious twists depending on your mood.

Asparagus: Choose stalks that are uniform in size so they cook evenly. I’ve swapped asparagus with green beans, broccoli, or zucchini before, and they all roast beautifully alongside the salmon. If you’re craving something heartier, toss in a few baby potatoes, just start roasting them a bit earlier.

Lemon: Fresh lemon slices add brightness and a little zing that balances the richness of the salmon. I always squeeze extra lemon juice on top right before serving for that fresh, clean finish.

Fresh Herbs: Dill is my favorite with salmon. It adds a delicate, refreshing note. Parsley and chives are also great options for garnish and a touch of color.

Quick Note: Instead of oven baked salmon in foil, try making this recipe on the grill. It’s the perfect recipe for summer! Keep in mind that you may need to adjust the cooking time based on the heat of your grill.

ingredients on a countertop to make baked salmon in foil.

How To Make Oven Baked Salmon In Foil

First, preheat your oven to 400°F. Then, evenly season the salmon with oil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Cut two pieces of foil large enough to fit the salmon and asparagus. Arrange the asparagus spears on the foil first, then the salmon fillets. Top each one with lemon slices and a sprig of fresh dill.
Wrap the foil over the salmon and fold the top and bottom to close it. Seasoning the salmon and assembling the foil packets.

left: seasoned salmon. Center: asparagus, seasoned raw salmon in foil. Right: salmon foil packets

Place the foil packets on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes.
Once they’re done, carefully unwrap the packets. Transfer the oven-baked salmon and asparagus to a plate and enjoy!

Olivia's Recipe Tips

Please be very careful when you open the foil packet, as the steam inside is very hot.
You may find a bit of water in the packets. Just remove it with a spoon before serving.
Be sure to trim the woody ends from the asparagus. You can either snap them off or line the stalks up and trim the ends with a knife.
If you’d prefer not to use foil, parchment paper works just as well!
Salmon is perfectly cooked when the internal temperature reaches 110 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part. Use an instant read thermometer for accuracy.

How do I know when the salmon is fully cooked?

The best method is to use a meat thermometer and check the salmon’s internal temperature. It’s done when the salmon reaches 145°F at its thickest part. If you don’t have a thermometer, you can also test it with a fork! Fully cooked salmon easily flakes apart when you press on it.

More Baked Salmon Recipes to Try:

Easy Cedar Plank Salmon: We rubbed it with Cajun seasoning and grilled it slowly over a soaked cedar plank to bring a delicious smokey flavor to your fish.
Quick Easy Broiled Salmon: You only need four ingredients to make this tasty and heart-healthy meal for your busy weeknights.
Garlic Butter Salmon in Foil: This dinner is super easy to make and ready in under 25 minutes. It tastes great with salads, Garlic Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts, or Spicy Baked Sweet Potato Fries.
Salmon Chopped Salad recipe: Quick salad to make when you have salmon leftovers. So good!
Air Fryer Salmon: Ready in less than 20 minutes, this Air Fryer Salmon is moist, flaky, and tender.

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