Description
This Oven Baked Salmon recipe features a whole skin-on salmon fillet seasoned with a flavorful blend of melted butter, garlic, brown sugar, Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Baked to succulent perfection at 375°F, the salmon remains moist and tender, ideal for a simple yet elegant dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon
- 1 (2-pound) whole salmon fillet skin-on preferred
Seasoning and Sauce
- 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 your oven to 375°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with a large piece of foil and place the salmon fillet skin side down, pink side up. Fold the foil edges around the salmon to create a shallow “boat” to catch the juices.
- Season: Mix the melted butter and minced garlic. Brush half of this garlic butter evenly over the salmon. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle this seasoning mix evenly over the salmon. Drizzle the remaining garlic butter on top.
- Bake: Place the salmon in the oven and bake for 22 minutes for fully cooked fish or less if you prefer a medium doneness. Optionally, baste the salmon with its juices halfway through baking for extra moisture. Once baking is complete, remove the salmon from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
Notes
- Using a whole skin-on salmon fillet helps prevent overcooking compared to individual cut fillets. If using fillets, bake for 15 minutes.
- If fresh garlic is unavailable, substitute with an additional teaspoon of dried garlic powder.
- Italian seasoning can be omitted or replaced with dried oregano or rosemary for a different flavor profile.
- For best flavor, stir garlic into hot melted butter and let it cool for 5 minutes to thicken texture, making it easier to brush.
- Using foil helps with cleanup and retains the garlic butter juices, improving moisture and flavor.
- Recommended internal cooking temperature is 145°F for food safety; however, salmon is most succulent at 125°F to 130°F. Use a food thermometer to cook to your preferred doneness.
- Pull the salmon from the oven as soon as it reaches your target temperature since residual heat will continue cooking it during resting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
