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–+ servings
Delicious oven-baked salmon fillets garnished with herbs.

Oven-Baked Salmon

A simple and quick recipe for oven-baked salmon that delivers flaky, flavorful fish with a garlic-butter richness and a glossy finish from brown sugar.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Healthy, Seafood
Calories: 300
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 2-pound whole salmon fillet, skin-on Skin helps keep the fish intact and adds flavor; can be removed after cooking if preferred
  • 3 tablespoons melted butter or olive oil Butter gives richer flavor; oil makes it dairy-free
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced Fresh is best; use 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder if needed
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar Light or dark; optional for lower-sugar variation
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon ground paprika Sweet or smoked paprika both work
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • to taste ground black pepper

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and place the oven rack in the middle position.
  2. Lay a large piece of aluminum foil on a rimmed baking sheet. Place the salmon on the foil, skin-side down, and pat the top dry with paper towels.
  3. In a small bowl, stir the melted butter with the minced garlic. Reserve half of this mixture for drizzling later. Brush the other half evenly over the top of the salmon.
  4. In a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar, Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle this spice-sugar blend evenly over the buttered fillet, then gently press it down so it adheres.
  5. Drizzle the remaining garlic butter over the seasoned salmon to add moisture and flavor.
Cooking
  1. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 22 minutes. Start checking at 15 minutes. The salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork and an instant-read thermometer reads about 145°F at the thickest part.
  2. Remove the salmon from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes on the foil. Slice and serve warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 40gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 500mgSugar: 2g

Notes

Cool leftovers to room temperature no longer than two hours, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to three days. For a different crusted take, finish individual portions under a broiler for 1 to 2 minutes for extra caramelization.

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