Easy Baked Salmon

Seafood 30-Minute Meals Dairy-Free Main Courses

By Kristen Chidsey

4.98 from 37 votes

Updated Mar 19, 2025

Jump to Recipe

Add us as a trusted site on Google

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.

Say hello to flavor with this easy recipe recipe for Baked Salmon! Made with a sweet and savory rub and baked to perfection, this recipe delivers perfectly seasoned baked salmon in under 30 minutes!

Oven Baked Salmon on green plate topped with lime slices.

My Go-To Salmon Recipe

When it comes to a simple, wholesome, weeknight dinner recipe, look no further than this recipe for Baked Salmon. Rich in nutrients, good fats, and protein, salmon is a powerhouse when it comes to wholesome meals.

And while I love my recipe for salmon bites and sheet pan salmon, it is this simple baked salmon recipe I find myself turning to time and time again!

What sets this recipe apart are two things. The sweet and savory salmon seasoning and the simplicity of the recipe! With a few minutes of prep, this easy baked salmon recipe delivers perfectly cooked salmon that is as effortless to make as it is delicious to eat.

Happy Cooking! xo Kristen

Notes on Ingredients

You will find the full list of ingredients, along with quantities in the recipe card. Below are a few tips to help you make the right selection for the best baked salmon.

Salmon: When it comes to baking salmon, I recommend using salmon fillets with the skin. The skin will help to keep the delicate flesh intact and seal in the moisture in the fish as it cooks. If starting with a whole fillet, cut into 6-ounce portions for even and quick baking.
Salmon Seasoning: Made with a combination of paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, brown sugar, and lime zest, the seasoning creates a sweet and savory glaze that caramelizes slightly as the salmon bakes. that flavors the salmon perfectly. Just delicious!

How to Make the Best Baked Salmon

The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the ingredient quantities and detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Prepare the Salmon Seasoning. Prepare the salmon seasoning by mixing the spices with the brown sugar and lime zest in a small bowl.

Ingredients for salmon rub in small mixing bowl.

Season the Salmon. Sprinkle the prepared seasoning evenly over the flesh side of the salmon fillet, using your hands to pat the rub into the fillet to adhere the rub to the fish.

Salmon fillet being coated in the salmon seasoning in a small bowl.

Bake Salmon. Bake the salmon on a sheet pan lined with parchment or foil until the fish reaches 143℉.
Rest Salmon. Remove the salmon from the oven, tent it with foil, and let rest for 5 minutes. This will give the salmon time to reach 145℉, which is the perfect final temperature for salmon.

Seasoned Baked Salmon on a sheet pan lined with foil.

Season and Serve. Squeeze each salmon fillet with lime juice. This will help the flavors to pop and finish the salmon with a nice citrus flavor. Serve immediately for best results.

Baked salmon fillet on blue plate topped with lime.

Key Tips for Baked Salmon

Pat the salmon dry BEFORE rubbing with the salmon seasoning. This will ensure the seasoning can really adhere to salmon, giving it the best flavor.
Use limes not lemon. For this particular salmon recipe the bright flavor of lime zest compliments the salmon rub, while the lime juice will finish the salmon with the perfect acidic finish.
Use an oven-safe digital thermometer. Salmon is best cooked to 145℉ (63℃). Because ovens vary, the best way to ensure salmon is perfectly baked is to use an oven-safe digital thermometer.

What To Serve with Salmon

You can pair this baked salmon with a variety of side dishes, but below are a few of my favorites that compliment the flavors of the salmon and salmon seasoning perfectly.

Did you make this recipe?

If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!

4.98 from 37 votes

Baked Salmon

By: Kristen Chidsey

Servings:

Prep: 5

Cook: 20

Pin Rate Print

Add us as a trusted site on Google

3 Salmon Fillets on green plate topped with limes.

Made with a sweet and savory rub and baked to perfection, this recipe delivers perfectly seasoned baked salmon in under 30 minutes!

Video

Ingredients

▢ extra virgin olive oil, for greasing
▢ 2 tablespoons brown sugar
▢ 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
▢ 1 teaspoon chili powder
▢ 1 teaspoon kosher salt
▢ ½ teaspoon garlic powder
▢ ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
▢ 1 large lime, zested & juiced
▢ 4 salmon fillets, skin-on (about 6 ounces each)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200℃). Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil, and lightly brush the foil with extra virgin olive oil.
In a shallow bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper, and the zest of 1 large lime .
Pat the salmon fillets with a paper towel and then sprinkle the seasoning mixture onto the flesh side of each piece of salmon. Use your hands to massage the seasoning into the flesh of the fish.
Place the salmon, skin side down, on the prepared baking sheet. Insert an oven-safe digital thermometer into the end of the thickest part of one of the salmon fillets, ensuring that the probe is not angled downward nor touching the pan. Place the pan in the oven and cook until the salmon reaches 142℉ (62℃), about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon.
Once the salmon reaches 142℉ (62℃), remove the pan from the oven, loosely cover with foil, and allow to rest until the temperature increases to 145℉ (63℃).
Drizzle the salmon with juice of 1 large lime and then serve immediately.

Notes

Salmon: The recipe is for individual 6-ounce fillets but if you purchase a whole fillet, simply cut it into 5-6-ounce portions. You can use skin-on or skinless Salmon fillets. Skin-on fillets help to seal the moisture in the salmon. While edible to eat, I prefer slicing off the skin before serving or eating around the skin once served. If you do not want skin on your salmon, simply ask your fishmonger to remove the skin when you purchase the salmon and prepare the recipe as directed.

Salmon Seasoning: The brown sugar helps to balance out the spice in the rub, making it pleasing to even sensitive palates. However, you can omit the cayenne pepper if desired. For the smoked paprika that gives the salmon a nice smokey finish. If you don't have it on hand, use regular paprika.

Leftovers: It is best to serve salmon immediately for the best flavor. However, you can store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, safely. Reheat over low heat in a nonstick skillet until just warmed through.

Nutrition

Calories: 273kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 34gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 667mgPotassium: 871mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 489IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 31mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe?Mention @amindfullmom or tag #amindfullmom!

4.98 from 37 votes (16 ratings without comment)