Description
A simple and flavorful oven baked salmon recipe featuring a whole salmon fillet seasoned with garlic butter, brown sugar, and Italian seasoning, baked to perfection for a tender and juicy dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon
- 1 (2-pound) whole salmon fillet skin-on preferred
Seasoning
- 3 tablespoons melted butter OR olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep the Oven and Salmon: Heat the oven to 375°F. Place a large piece of foil on a rimmed baking sheet and set the salmon fillet on top with the skin side down and the pink side up. Crimp the edges of the foil around the salmon creating a little “boat” to catch juices.
- Prepare and Apply Seasoning: Combine the melted butter and minced garlic. Brush half of this garlic butter mixture evenly over the salmon. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and ground black pepper. Sprinkle this seasoning mix evenly over the salmon. Drizzle the remaining garlic butter on top.
- Bake the Salmon: Bake the salmon in the preheated oven for 22 minutes for a fully done 145°F internal temperature, or less if preferred doneness is lower. Optionally baste the salmon with the juices halfway through baking. Once baked, remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the salmon to finish cooking and juices to redistribute.
Notes
- Use a whole skin-on salmon fillet to prevent overcooking; alternatively, use 4 cut fillets and bake for 15 minutes.
- If fresh garlic is not available, substitute with 1 extra teaspoon dried garlic powder.
- Italian seasoning can be replaced with oregano or rosemary for a different flavor profile.
- Letting the garlic-infused butter cool slightly and thicken makes it easier to brush onto the salmon.
- Using foil simplifies cleanup and helps retain garlic butter flavors by preventing evaporation on the baking sheet.
- Recommended internal cooking temperatures: 125°F to 130°F for juicy, flaky salmon (rest 5 minutes after removal), or USDA recommended minimum 145°F for safety.
- Use a food thermometer to ensure precise doneness and avoid overcooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
