How to Bake Salmon in the Oven

These oven baked salmon fillets are so easy to make and perfect for a weeknight meal.

An oven baked salmon fillet on a plate with mini potatoes and succotash.

Lately, we have been trying to increase the amount of fish we include in our diet. So, we have been eating salmon more regularly and this does not bother me all, since I seriously love seafood. Salmon is great to include more often in your meal plan and this baked salmon is super easy to prepare.

I have made this recipe for oven baked salmon and it is my go to method for cooking this kind of fish. My favourite way to prepare individual portions of salmon fillets is to lightly seasoned them with a sweet and spicy rub. This salmon is great for a weeknight meal and both delicious and fancy enough to be served at a dinner party. 

Overhead picture of plate of baked salmon fillets with potatoes, corn and lima beans.

Over the years, I have shared many different recipes for salmon, including everything from cooking on a grill, smoking, steaming and more. 

Here are some other amazing salmon recipes:

Individual portion salmon fillets (4oz/113g)

What is the size of individual salmon fillets?

You can either buy salmon fillets that have already been sliced and prepared into individual portions, or you can full piece of salmon to cut and prepare yourself. The salmon is more expensive if you get the supermarket or fish market to do this work, but it definitely makes the prep work much quicker.

The weight of a single salmon fillet should be 4oz or 113g. I also like to remove the skin and ensure that any fish bones have been pulled out.

Dredge the top of the salmon fillet in sweet and spicy rub.

The seasoning for this recipe is very simple, slightly sweet with a hint of spice. This coating really enhances the flavour of the baked fish and allows the salmon to be the star.

Mix the sugar and spices in a shallow dish. I like to use a pie pan since it is both, wide enough for the salmon fillets to fit lengthwise, and has sides so the seasoning mixture stays in the dish. Lift one salmon fillet and dredge it, upside down in the seasoning. Turn it so that both sides get coated as well. It is not necessary to coat the base of the salmon in the seasoning.

Place the salmon fillets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper

Once the top and sides of the salmon fillets have been lightly coated in the seasoning, they can be placed on a baking sheet. I prefer to line the sheet with parchment paper so that the fish does not stick. Once baked, the salmon will easily lift off the parchment paper.

Sheet of salmon fillets baked until done and reach internal temperature of 145F.

What temperature is best to bake salmon?

I find that a higher temperature does is better for baking individual salmon fillets. The outside of the fish will be nicely browned, and the inside will stay nice and moist. 450F is is the perfect temperature for these portions of salmon. 

It will not take long for the salmon to bake. I like to use a digital thermometer to check the internal temperature of the fish. Stick the thermometer probe into the fattest part of the fillet. Take the salmon out of the oven, once it reaches 145F. The cooking time for 4oz/113g salmon fillets should be around 15 minutes.

Plate of baked salmon fillets.

These oven baked salmon fillets are perfectly cooked and have a sweet seasoning that is almost caramelized on the outside of the fish. This way to cook salmon is very versatile and and will go very well with many different sides. I served them with succotash and mini potatoes.

Here are some other side dishes that 

Angled picture of plate of baked salmon fillets with potatoes, corn and lima beans.

How to Bake Salmon Fillets in the Oven

Angled picture of plate of baked salmon fillets with potatoes, corn and lima beans.
5 from 1 vote
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Simple instructions for how to bake individual 4oz (113g) portion salmon fillets in the oven including what temperature and for how long to cook.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 4 4oz salmon fillets (113g) , skin removed
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/8 tsp cayenne

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 450F.
  • In a shallow dish, stir together the sugar and spices.
  • Dredge the salmon fillets in the spice rub so that the top and sides of the salmon are coated in the seasoning.
  • Place the seasoned salmon fillets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • Bake in the oven until the internal temperature reaches 145F, about 15 minutes.

Nutrition

Per serving:

Calories: 187kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 23gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 341mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6g

Nutrition Disclaimer

Categories

An oven baked salmon fillet on a plate with mini potatoes and succotash.

Did you try this recipe?

Leave a comment and let me know how it turned out. Or, take a picture to share on Instagram and tag me @theblackpeppercorn.

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Recipe Rating




3 comments

  • Fixed this for supper/dinner tonight and it was delicious! Just a tad saltier than we are used to but can be easily adjusted. Will certainly fix again.

    • Reply
  • 5 stars
    Thank you for the recipe this really helped tremondusly. I waz happy to have found it made my night.

    • Reply
  • Thank you

    • Reply

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