How to Bake Salmon

Guide Note: Salmon can be prepared any number of ways. How to Bake Salmon will guide you through the steps to baking salmon in your oven.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

(CC photo by John Muir)

Salmon, regularly praised for its richness in heart-friendly omega 3's, can be easily cooked at home in your oven. You will need little besides the salmon itself, a baking dish, and whatever flavors you hope to impart to the fish. Simple is often best; a little lemon and olive oil can be enough.

Keep reading to learn the variety of ways to prepare salmon for baking and to learn just how easy and quick it can be to bake salmon.

The recipes we consulted suggested preheating your oven somewhere between 350 degrees and 450 degrees.
Consult your recipe to determine the proper temperature for your fish, but to be on the safe side, remain closer to 350 so you don't overcook the salmon.
You'll also want to line an oven-safe baking sheet with aluminum foil to cook the fish on; this will make for easy clean-up later!

There are myriad ways to prepare fish before baking, and some can be done several hours ahead of time.

Rubs: A salmon fillet can be patted down with dry herbs and seasonings like paprika, sea salt or chili powder before baking. The following recipes offer some great rub alternatives:
- Real Simple: Chili-Rubbed Salmon
- RecipeZaar: Gene's Salmon Rub Recipe
- Whole Foods Market: Salmon with Basil Butter Rub
Glazes: Another salmon baking option is a glaze, which can be drizzled over the fish prior to baking. A glaze can also be achieved by baking a sweet fruit like a pineapple on top of the fish; the juices coating the fish during baking. Some of the most common glaze recipes include:
- Prevention: Salmon with Ginger Glaze
- Real Simple: Maple-Glazed Salmon with Pineapple
- Real Simple: Glazed Salmon with Mint and Cucumber Slaw
Marinades: You can marinade a salmon fillet overnight in a store-bought mix or a combination of such ingredients as olive oil, white wine, lemon juice, soy sauce, brown sugar and ginger among others. Some salmon marinade recipes include:
- About.com: Lemon Pepper Marinade for Salmon
- MayoClinic.com: Baked salmon with Southeast Asian marinade
- Cooks.com: Marinated Salmon Steaks or Fillets

Put your baking sheet with your fish into the oven. Check your recipe to see if the fish should be closer or farther from the heat source.
Bake the fish for about 10-12 minutes or until just opaque throughout.
How long you bake the fish will depend on the thickness of your fillets. The general rule is it will take 10 minutes per 1 inch of thickness to cook through.

As with all fish, overcooking is a death sentence. Well, maybe that's a little harsh, but it certainly won't taste succulent and fresh.
To avoid overcooking, remain close to your oven. Remove fish promptly when your timer goes off and remember it will continue to cook a bit on the pan even after it's out of the oven.
If it looks almost or just barely done (just barely pink all the way through), you've timed things perfectly.