How to Cook Salmon in the Oven

Find out how to cook salmon in the oven with this super simple baked method. Quick, easy, and delicious!

I’ve been cooking salmon for years, as you can see in my salmon recipe category. You’ll find plenty of easy weeknight dinner ideas, and some of my favorites are:
Garlic Butter Salmon, Air Fryer Salmon, Spicy Salmon, Salmon Steak, and Chopped Salmon Salad.

Today, I’m sharing with you my easy, simple tips on how to cook salmon. If you want a delicious, wholesome, and easy meal for dinner during the week, this oven-baked salmon is perfect for you.

Best Types of Salmon for Baking

For this recipe, I’m using a nice fillet of Atlantic salmon with the skin on. However, I’ve also made this baked salmon recipe with wild salmon, king salmon, and coho—and they all work great. Based on all the testing I’ve done, I believe this recipe would also work well with chinook and sockeye salmon.

How to cook salmon in the oven

1.    Preheat the oven to 375°F and place a rack in the middle of the oven.  Then, line a baking sheet or a baking dish with parchment paper, or if you prefer, just use a cast iron skillet like I did. Remove the salmon from the fridge and pat the salmon fillets with a paper towel to dry. This way, olive oil will stick easily on top of the salmon as water and oil don’t mix.

2.    Place salmon (salmon skin-side down – this is very important) in the baking sheet or cast iron skillet. Next, drizzle some oil over the top of each salmon fillet. Here you can use a pastry brush or your fingers to rub the oil all over the salmon.

3.  Season the salmon filets with salt, pepper, and paprika (or Cajun seasoning) and transfer to the oven.

4.    Bake for 10-15 minutes. It’s hard to say a precise cooking time, because it all depends on the thickness of your filets. So, check it after 10 minutes. If it’s not done, cook the salmon for 5 more minutes and then check it again. If necessary cook for another 5 mins.

5.    Salmon is done when it reaches a minimum internal temperature of 145˚F. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. You also know if it’s ready when the salmon flakes easily with a fork. Before serving, top with some fresh parsley or other fresh herbs of your preference.

How to Thaw Frozen Salmon Before Cooking

Place it (sealed) in a bowl of cold water and let it sit for about 30–45 minutes, changing the water halfway through. Or, refrigerate overnight on a plate—this is the safest method for best texture.

Avoid using warm or hot water to prevent uneven thawing and bacteria growth.

What should I serve with Oven baked salmon?

Like other types of fish, salmon pairs well with sides like potato salad, roasted cauliflower, mashed butternut squash, mashed potatoes, risotto, and even pasta. It’s best to avoid heavy, starchy dishes like mashed potatoes.

How to Cook Salmon – Other Methods to Try:

When it is raw, salmon has very firm flesh. As a result, it holds up well under almost any type of cooking. It is possible to cook salmon using any of these cooking methods:

• Steaming — this method of how to cook salmon is the easiest way to keep your salmon moist with no added fats to cook it up. All you need is the salmon in a steamer basket.
• Poaching — this other method of how to cook salmon is also similar to steaming that there’s no added fats or oils to cook the salmon. This method is great for infusing flavour into the salmon.
• Grilling — If you love the smoky flavors of BBQ, grilling your salmon is the best method for cooking salmon and will give you the best results!
• Broiling — this is super quick and easy as well. It’s a great method if you want to cook a lot of salmon at once, as you can fit a lot on a sheet pan if needed.
• Pan frying — this method will give you delicious crispy salmon, but you’ll be using a lot of oil or butter.
• Pan searing — this method is quick, but again, will require oil or butter.
• Baking — this method of cooking salmon is super hands-off. Great if you’d like to prepare side dishes, as you can do both at once! You can bake it in a cast iron skillet or on a rimmed baking sheet.

More Salmon Recipes to Try: