Description
This Best Baked Salmon Recipe delivers tender, flaky, and flavorful salmon fillets with a simple, fresh marinade of parsley, garlic, lemon, and Dijon mustard. Perfect for a quick and healthy dinner that’s ready in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon
- 1 1/2 lb salmon fillet, cut into 4 filets
Marinade
- 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp extra light olive oil, or vegetable oil
- 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 3 garlic cloves, minced, pressed, or grated
- 1/2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper, freshly cracked
- 1/2 lemon, sliced into 4 rings for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 450°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with a silicone liner, parchment, or foil to prevent sticking and allow easy cleanup.
- Prepare Salmon: Arrange salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet, skin-side-down to ensure even cooking and crisp skin.
- Mix Marinade: In a small bowl, combine parsley, garlic, oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Stir well to blend all flavors.
- Apply Marinade: Generously brush the marinade over the top and sides of the salmon fillets, making sure each piece is well coated. Top each piece with a slice of lemon for added flavor and garnish.
- Bake Salmon: Bake uncovered at 450°F for 15 minutes, or until the salmon is just cooked through, flakes easily with a fork, and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F at the thickest part.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve immediately to enjoy the tender, flavorful salmon at its best.
Notes
- Once the glaze is applied, bake immediately to prevent the lemon juice from ‘cooking’ the salmon and causing toughness.
- There is no need for lengthy marinating; brushing on the glaze right before baking provides the best texture.
- Check internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer to avoid overcooking and keep the salmon moist.
- Use fresh lemon juice and parsley for the brightest flavor.
- Optional: Substitute Dijon mustard with whole grain mustard for a different texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
