Baking salmon is one of the most foolproof ways of cooking this rich fish so it turns out juicy and tender, never overcooked!
Favorite Baked Salmon Recipes
Confession: I don’t eat salmon when I go out (I always think it’s overcooked), but it’s my favorite fish to cook at home! I keep it simple and make broiled salmon, pan-seared salmon, or poached salmon anytime I need an easy fish dinner, but of all the ways to prepare it, baking is the method I trust most.
Slide a few fillets into a hot oven, and 10 to 20 minutes later you’ve got a tender, richly flavored dinner without any of the splatter that comes with cooking fish on the stovetop.
It’s hands-off and, once you learn the signs of doneness, very beginner-friendly. What’s more, salmon is rich enough that it can handle big flavors without being overshadowed, so it’s endlessly adaptable. I’m confident you’ll find a recipe for whatever herbs, citrus, or spices you have on hand.
Jazz things up at your house with these Mediterranean-style salmon recipes everyone will love:
Stuffed Salmon with Spinach, Capers, and Greek Yogurt
You won’t believe how amazing this stuffed salmon is! It’s like a party in your mouth; flaky fish filled with a vibrant mix of spinach, capers, and preserved lemon. Greek yogurt binds the creamy filling together (and adds an extra bit of protein). Serve with lemony Greek potatoes or our recipe for sweet and savory Middle Eastern Rice Pilaf.
Salmon in Parchment Paper (Salmon en Papillote)
So easy, yet so elegant, salmon cooked in parchment paper with vegetables is a weeknight lifesaver, but it’s also special enough to serve to company. Seal it up, and the oven does the work. You’ll have a healthy, delicious meal in under 20 minutes! Serve it with Greek Lemon Rice and a crunchy Celery Salad with Greek Yogurt Dressing.
Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon
This bright, perfectly cooked salmon is ready in under 20 minutes, and my special technique ensures you get flaky, tender baked salmon every time! Because the salmon cooks so quickly, have all your sides ready before it comes out of the oven. Serve this citrusy salmon over saffron rice or herbed potatoes to mop up the sauce.
Easy Pesto Salmon with a Crispy Breadcrumb Crust
Layering salmon with pesto and topping it with olive oil breadcrumbs gives this incredibly fast and easy recipe lots of crunch. I love the fresh lemon and basil flavor of the final drizzle! Serve this easy fish dinner with a Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad or Marinated Cherry Tomato Salad.
Turkish-Style Marinated Salmon
I was inspired by the smoky and spicy flavor of the lamb kebabs of Southern Turkey when I came up with this recipe. Because rich salmon can handle spice without being overwhelmed, I think it’s an ideal match for an overnight marinade with a bright red Turkish red pepper paste (Tatli Biber Salçasi). Enjoy it with a cooling Mediterranean Cucumber Salad and use the leftovers as a replacement for canned tuna in Tuna White Bean Salad with Spinach, Olives, and Basil.
Easy Baked Salmon with Vegetables and Feta
Sumac-spiced salmon and tangy feta cubes roast together with mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and strips of bell pepper until everything is tender and juicy. The cheese doesn’t melt, but it does get luxuriously soft. Serve this easy baked salmon dinner with crispy smashed potatoes or brown rice.
Salmon Tacos: Mediterranean-Style!
A cultural mash-up in the best way, this simple salmon supper is a Mediterranean reimagining of Baja’s fish tacos. I use Aleppo pepper and cumin-spiced salmon, then top it with tzatziki to create my take on the corn tortilla-wrapped classic.
Easy Lime-Harissa Spicy Salmon Recipe
The secret to this spicy fish is the tantalizing sauce made of fresh lime juice, harissa, garlic, and honey. It’s next-level delicious, and so quick and easy to put together! Be sure to cover the salmon with foil while it bakes for tender, flaky fish. A bright and refreshing vegetable side, such as sautéed asparagus or crispy lemon broccoli, balances out the big flavors.
Cilantro Lime Salmon
Have some cilantro to use up? Blitz it with garlic, olive oil, and fresh lime juice into a bright, punchy sauce that goes on thick before the salmon bakes. Sliced tomato and lime add extra juiciness. For an easy weeknight meal, I like to make fluffy basmati rice and spoon the cilantro sauce over everything. It’s also great with a mango salad.
Oven Baked Salmon in Foil
Salmon in a buttery lemon sauce is such a classic, and this version—a riff on salmon en papillote in foil instead of parchment—is even easier because there’s no need to fold it perfectly. The fish cooks with tender summer squash and tomato. I always add a crunchy Maroulosalata (Greek Lettuce Salad) to contrast the silky salmon.
Pomegranate Molasses Glazed Salmon
This salmon is burnished with a glaze of tangy pomegranate molasses, olive oil, and fresh lime, warmed with a pinch of cinnamon. As it bakes, the sugars in the pomegranate molasses caramelize while the fresh greens underneath soften into a saucy side dish. Add some tabouli salad on the side.
Easy Greek Salmon
You just can’t go wrong when you combine garlic, fragrant Greek oregano, and a good handful of fresh dill. This Greek combination works just as well on salmon fillets as it does in tzatziki! I roast the salmon with small tomatoes and green onion, then serve them with a fresh Greek Salad and Spanakorizo (Greek Spinach Rice).
Lemon Pepper Salmon
Skip the shaker of store-bought lemon pepper and make your own! Fresh lemon zest and juice team up with chopped herbs to make a super-simple seasoning mix for salmon. I love this one paired with Italian Oven Roasted Vegetables or Roasted Green Beans.
Pistachio-Crusted Salmon
A crunchy pistachio topping goes golden and toasted in the oven while the salmon underneath stays tender. Pistachios have a buttery flavor that plays beautifully off the richness of the fish, and the naturally gluten-free crust adds texture. It’s a great baked salmon recipe for a dinner party, especially paired with kale salad and lemony roasted baby potatoes.
Baked Dijon Salmon
This is the recipe I’d hand to a total beginner and expect a five-star result. The salmon bakes in a foil packet, which traps steam and makes it nearly impossible to dry out, then gets a quick blast under the broiler for golden color. The sauce is peppery Dijon mustard with lemon, plenty of garlic, and a few savory spices. My favorite way to serve is with couscous, which soaks up the delicious sauce, and some sautéed green beans.
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