I make this exact salmon recipe at least once a week. It's a quick, nutritious dinner perfect for the whole family! Made with simple ingredients, it’s savory, subtly sweet, and perfectly flakey.
The Best Simple Lemon Baked Salmon Recipe
I love salmon and do my best to incorporate it into my diet once or twice a week with recipes like teriyaki salmon bites and Marry Me salmon. However, it’s sometimes a little harder to get my family on board, especially when it comes to my picky eaters.
Or, it was until I created this baked honey garlic salmon! Made with a handful of seasonings and a touch of honey, it’s savory with just a touch of sweetness that even my kids can resist. Plus, the broiling method creates a crisp exterior and caramelized flavor that's simply to die for.
With minimal prep time, the entire dish comes together in less than 20 minutes, making it super quick and easy. Pair this simple baked salmon with your favorite sides, and you really can’t go wrong!
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Is Salmon Healthy?
Salmon is an excellent source of protein and healthy omega fatty acids. It’s also a good source of nutrients such as vitamin B12, vitamin B6, selenium, niacin, thiamine, and phosphorous. As a result, it’s a healthy ingredient in my book!
Types of Salmon
Many types of salmon are available for purchase, though there are five common varieties. Each has its own taste and texture. So, feel free to choose whichever kind you like best.
The most common salmon types include:
- Sockeye - This is often described as having the fishiest taste. Bright red in color, Sockeye salmon is lower in fat than other varieties and easy to find.
- King or Chinook - This is often considered to be a high-end fish, being more expensive than other varieties. Very high in fat, it has a tender mouthfeel and a slightly sweeter taste.
- Pink - This is most commonly used to make canned salmon. Pink salmon is pale, small, and fairly mild in flavor.
- Chum - Chum salmon is typically used for roe (fish eggs) in meals like sushi. A lower-fat option, it’s fairly mild in flavor.
- Coho - Largely considered to be the most popular type of salmon, Coho salmon is fairly mild in taste with firm flesh.
Ingredients and Notes
- Salmon fillets - This lemon baked salmon recipe can be made with frozen or fresh salmon. Wild-caught varieties are best.
- Oil - This helps create a crisp exterior and adds a boost of healthy fats. I prefer the strong flavor of olive oil, but coconut oil or avocado oil will also work.
- Lemon juice - This helps tenderize the fish and adds a vibrant, tangy taste. Freshly squeezed is best!
- Honey - This natural sweetener helps the seasonings stick to the fish and caramelizes the exterior creating an uneatable taste and texture.
- Garlic - You’ll need to use at least one garlic clove for this recipe, but feel free to adjust to taste.
- Seasonings - Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper create a savory flavor.
Instructions
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions for this baked honey garlic salmon recipe are in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Prepare. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place a piece of parchment paper on a sheet pan, and arrange the salmon filets on top skin side down. Use a clean paper towel to pat the salmon dry.
Step 2: Prepare the marinade. Add the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Mix well with a spoon.
Step 3: Mariante. Brush the marinade mixture over the salmon filets, coating the top and sides completely.
Step 4: Bake the salmon. Transfer the salmon to the oven, and bake until the fish is opaque pink all over. Then, turn the oven to broil, and continue to cook until the top of the fish is nice and crispy.
Serving Suggestions
There’s not much this honey garlic salmon doesn’t pair well with! However, some of my favorite sides to pair it with include goat cheese scalloped potatoes, pesto couscous, caramelized Brussels sprouts, honey glazed parsnips and carrots, and smashed fingerling potatoes.
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat
Store leftover lemon baked salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. Or, freeze it for up to 2 months.
Thaw the fish in the fridge overnight. Then, reheat it in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on how you like your fish. Baking at 350 will create a moister, more tender baked salmon recipe. Meanwhile, baking at 400 degrees speeds up the cooking time and creates a crisp exterior I love.
The exact baking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of the fish. However, I find that 8 to 10 minutes is typically all you need for perfect oven baked salmon.
It’s best to bake salmon uncovered to prevent it from drying out.
Fully cooked salmon will have opaque flesh and an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure to insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the fish.
Yes, salmon skin is completely safe to eat. It becomes crisp with this recipe, meaning it’s pretty tasty, too!
For more salmon recipes, try my:
PS : If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a star review and comment below! Also be sure to follow along with me on Instagram and Pinterest to stay up to date on all tasty recipes here at The Fit Peach!
Recipe
Simple Baked Salmon Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 (6 ounce) filets salmon
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoon honey
- 1 clove garlic - minced
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F and place a piece or parchment paper on a baking sheet with the salmon filets on top, skin side down. Use a paper towel to pat the salmon dry.2 (6 ounce) filets salmon
- In a small bowl, add the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, garlic, Italian seasoning, sea salt, and black pepper and mix well with a spoon.1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ tablespoon lemon juice, 2 teaspoon honey, 1 clove garlic, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, ¼ teaspoon sea salt, ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- Brush the marinade mixture over the salmon filets until well coated (the top and sides of the filets).
- Bake the salmon in the oven for 5 - 7 minutes until the salmon is opaque pink all over. Turn the oven on broil and continue to cook until the top of the salmon is nice and crispy or until the internal temperature reaches 125 F.
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