This oven-roasted salmon is simple, flavorful, and reliable every time. Roasted at high heat for a tender, flaky center and lightly caramelized edges, it’s finished with lemon and herbs for a clean, restaurant-quality dish—perfect for weeknights or entertaining.
🛒 Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Center-cut salmon fillet (1lb), skin on or off
- 3 tbsp Butter (or Dairy free butter)
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- ¾ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Flavor & Aromatics
- 1½ tbsp fresh lemon juice
½ tsp smoked paprika- 1 tsp fresh thyme, finely chopped
½ tspOnion Powered- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (adds depth, not mustard flavor)
Optional Butter Finish
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs or panko
🔪 Preparation
Salmon Preparation
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Place salmon in a small baking dish, skin-side down if applicable.
- Pat the salmon dry and season evenly with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
🔥 How to Cook
- In a small bowl, whisk together:
- Melted butter (or vegan butter)
- Minced garlic
- Lemon juice
- Thyme
- Onion Powered
- Dijon Mustard
- Pour the butter mixture evenly over the salmon, letting it pool in the dish.
- Bake uncovered for 18–22 minutes, depending on thickness.
- Optional breadcrumb step:
- In a separate bowl, mix breadcrumbs with melted butter.
- Sprinkle lightly over the salmon for added texture.
- For extra crisp breadcrumbs, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end (watch closely).
- Salmon is done when it flakes easily and reaches:
- 125–130°F for tender, medium
- 140°F for fully cooked
- Rest 3-5 Minutes then Server