This Oven Baked Salmon is brushed with garlic butter, then sprinkled with a delicious brown sugar spice mix for the perfectly baked, flavorful salmon fillet. This is hands-down the best and easiest way to prepare salmon fillet for dinner!
There is nothing quite like a whole 2 pound salmon fillet gracing the dinner table. It’s so easy you can make it basically any night of the week (no need to be intimidated by cooking fish anymore!)… But it’s also so impressive, you can make it for any fish-loving dinner guests and it will be absolutely perfect.
While I do love air frying salmon fillets, the only way to make a whole side is in the oven, and it’s honestly just as easy and probably my favorite way to eat salmon.
I’ve been showing you how I oven bake chicken breast and how I oven bake pork chops last week – now it’s time to go for fish!
Ingredients you’ll need
Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities!
Ingredient notes
- Salmon: I highly recommend using a whole salmon fillet with the skin on. It yields the juiciest fish with the most flavor – and the least issues with sticking to the foil, thanks to the skin. You can absolutely use this recipe if you have cut, skinless fillets. Just make sure you watch the baking time VERY closely in order to prevent the salmon from overcooking. And you’ll want to brush your foil with oil or melted butter before adding the salmon to keep it from sticking.
- Melted butter: If you want to avoid butter/dairy, you can easily use olive oil instead. The flavor is not exactly the same, but it is still very delicious when made with olive oil.
- Brown sugar: Feel free to skip the brown sugar if you want to avoid sugar completely. I was resistant to using sugar on my savory proteins for a very long time, but when I finally came around to it… I realized how amazing it tastes. Still, it’s fine to skip it if you must, the flavor and caramelization will just be different. If you only have white sugar, use ½ tablespoon.
- Garlic: If you don’t have fresh garlic, you can use 1 extra teaspoon dried garlic powder.
- Italian seasoning: I love the flavor this adds, but feel free to leave it out or use a different dried herb (oregano is delicious, so is rosemary).
How to bake salmon in the oven
1. Place the salmon on a piece of foil set on a rimmed baking sheet. Fold the sides slightly up around the salmon, to catch any dripping butter. Combine the minced garlic with the melted butter. Brush about half of it over the salmon.
2. Combine the spices, then sprinkle them evenly over the salmon. Drizzle with the remaining garlic butter.
brush with garlic butter 
combine spices 
sprinkle over salmon 
drizzle with remaining butter
3. Bake the salmon at 375°F for about 15-20 minutes, depending on your preferred doneness. The fish is done when it flakes easily, but is still glossy/shiny – not dull. See further below for some temperature references.
before baking 
after baking
I like to sprinkle on some chopped parsley, but you can skip it if you prefer/don’t have the time.
Recipe tips
- I like to stir the garlic into the hot, just-melted butter for the best flavor. I let the butter sit on the counter for 5 minutes to make it cool down a little and get a little thicker in texture to make it easier to brush onto the fish.
- I appreciate that some of you may not want to use aluminium foil, but please know that cleanup can be a real chore if you choose to skip it. You will also potentially lose some of the garlic butter due to more evaporation when it runs all over the baking sheet.
- You can baste the salmon with the garlic butter and juices about halfway through baking. It’s not crucial to the success of the recipe, but it does help the fish to stay more succulent.
- Be careful not to overbake your salmon. Many people say they don’t like fish, and many would probably like it a lot better if they didn’t eat it overcooked. If the flesh flakes easily and looks opaque, you’re good to go. It should still have a shine and look juicy, it should not look dry.
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 you’re 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 you’ve 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 (affiliate link) for controlled cooking. They are cheap and effective, and I’ve 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!
Serving ideas
I enjoy this salmon with a side of my instant pot potatoes or mashed potatoes (or instant pot mashed potatoes, ha!)- they’re all done so fast for a speedy dinner all around! You can also serve rice with your salmon if you prefer.
We always add some vegetables, too, but which greatly depend on the season. Sometimes it’s just frozen peas, but sautéed green beans (or air fryer green beans), roasted broccoli (or air fried broccoli) or roasted asparagus (or… you guessed it, air fryer asparagus) are all great choises.
A refreshing Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad, a black bean mango salsa or a chunky avocado salsa go really well with this recipe, too!
More easy salmon recipes
PS If you try this recipe, please leave a review in the comment section and add a star rating in the recipe card – I appreciate your feedback! Follow along on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram.
Printable recipe
Oven Baked Salmon
Recipe details
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 oven to 375°F. Place a large piece of foil on rimmed baking sheet, place salmon fillet on top (skin side down, pink side up). Crimp edges of foil around salmon to make a little "boat".
- Season: Combine melted butter and minced garlic. Brush half of mixture over salmon. Combine remaining ingredients in a small bowl, evenly sprinkle over salmon. Drizzle with remaining garlic butter.
- Bake: Bake salmon for 15-22 minutes, depending on preferred doneness (see notes for internal temperatures). Baste salmon with juices halfway through baking, if desired. Once done, remove salmon from oven and rest for 5 minutes, then serve.
Notes
Ingredient notes
Salmon: I always use a whole skin-on side of salmon. I like to because it’s much harder to overcook vs single fillets. Feel free to use 4 cut fillets though, and bake them for 10-15 minutes instead. Garlic: If you don’t have fresh garlic, you can use 1 extra teaspoon dried garlic powder. Italian seasoning: I love the flavor this adds, but feel free to leave it out or use a different dried herb (oregano is delicious, so is rosemary).Recipe tips
- I like to stir the garlic into the hot, just-melted butter for the best flavor. I let the butter sit on the counter for 5 minutes to make it cool down a little and get a little thicker in texture to make it easier to brush onto the fish.
- I appreciate that some of you may not want to use aluminium foil, but please know that cleanup can be a real chore if you choose to skip it. You will also potentially lose some of the garlic butter due to more evaporation when it runs all over the baking sheet.
- 15 minutes of baking usually puts a whole salmon fillet at exactly 125°F for me. After 20 minutes, it will be at 140°F. After 22 minutes, at 145°F. See below for recommended temperatures.
Internal temperature
The USDA recommends an internal temperature of 145°F minimum for all fish. However, this is quite high for salmon and if you’re 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. 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 (affiliate link) for controlled cooking. They are cheap and effective, and I’ve 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!Nutrition
More recipe information
Recipe first shared on 01/01/2020. Updated with new photos, new text and updated recipe on 01/09/2022.
Updates to recipe made:
- Easier prep (no searing on stove – it’s not necessary!)
- More seasoning for more flavor
- A little less butter
Nerissa says
Thank you so much for this great recipe that I was able to make and serve for Christmas. It was beautiful in color, easy to make and delicious. I can’t wait to have another reason to make it.
Nerissa says
Wow! This is definitely a keeper. Made this for Christmas lunch gathering at our home. It turned out perfect. very tasty and it looked great too just like the photo shown here.
Note to self: try parchment paper instead of foil because the skin stuck to the foil and I hate wasting skin because I think it’s the best part. I took it out after 15 minutes. It was just the right amount of time.
Karen says
So delicious! Will definitely make again.
Tammy Eaton says
Absolutely perfect! Perfectly seasoned and perfectly baked. Just wow!
Tom Pearce says
delicious easy, I like your style,not degrading, you leave us home cooks to our own devices and allow us to make choices!!! thank you!
Helene says
This recipe is amazing!! My teenagers were raving about for hours!! Quick and easy after a day of work!!
Jennifer says
Holy cow was this good! And so easy- we had a surprise guest show up right before dinner and he got a wonderful meal- he was so delighted and loved the recipe. I love when a meal is this flavorful –
Linda says
Quick and easy. Best baked salmon ever!
My whole family loved it!
Tracy says
Just perfect. Used rare to find wild King salmon and had no leftovers! Thank you!
Rose says
Easy and quick to prepare and tastes fantastic – will definitely do it again!
Nina Chandnani says
Excellent recipe! Every ingredient added flavor and color. Definitely will make it again. This is the first time that I am writing a comment on any recipe I have ever made from the internet so that says something 🙂
Sandy says
Sorry I adjusted the recipe because my husband is a diabetic. I avoid any sugar just used the rest of the recipe and he loved it.
Dawn Cook says
Absolutely delicious!!! The entire family loved it so much that there wasn’t even any leftovers. (That NEVER happens in this house 🤣). Adding this to my favorites and officially addicted to salmon. I cooked mine to 130 and after rest it made it to 135. Perfect!!! Thank you for the recipe! I look forward to trying more.
Allison says
New go to salmon recipe. The whole family loved it. Even the picky kids. Thank you.
Patricia says
I’m new to the kitchen I’ve only ever been great at keeping it so clean since it was untouched . Now that I’m living with my boyfriend I have upped my cooking skills and this being a GREAT recipe and easy . Kitchen dummy approved!
Mary says
Made this salmon for dinner tonight and it was not only extremely easy, but flavourful and healthy! Will be a regular recipe in our household! Thank you.
Tracy S says
I’m always looking for a new way to bake salmon. THIS was simply amazing! My boys loved it & me too! I’ll be making it this way more often! Thank you!
Thomas says
It is really good thanks for the ideas
Janet Moore says
This recipe was absolutely delicious AND was so easy to clean up! My entire family loved it!
Laura says
This was really really good! I had my in laws over for dinner and wanted me to pack up the leftover salmon for them. Followed the recipe exactly and used a thermometer to check, 20 mins was perfect. I paired this with roasted baby potatoes and a peas and asparagus recipe. 10/10!
Pete says
Packed with amazing flavor! I subbed butter with grass fed ghee, added a little olive oil, used honey instead of brown sugar, and pink Himalayan salt instead of sea salt. I wrapped my pan with foil but put a layer of parchment paper on top so no direct contact with aluminum. Followed the rest as written. I will be adding this to our regular rotation. Thanks for the deliciousness!
Captain Barnacle says
Absolutely a keeper. My go to baked salmon recipe.
Destinee says
I really enjoyed the sauce! It was a nice, and different way to enjoy salmon. I get tired of the lemon salmon so this was great! Thank you!
Molly :) says
I’ve begged multiple people to make this 😭 it is SO F’ING GOOD literally the best I’ve ever had. I’m gonna make it with pork chops and see how that is lol but this was truly the best thing I’ve ever made and I’ve had great reviews on my cooking
Nila says
I had a baked salmon at a restaurant and this recipe reminded me of it. Both were
most delicous and close in flavor to each other. I did cook it to 145°, with olive oil instead of butter. It was moist and fabulous! Thanks for the recipe!