This Baked Salmon recipe turns a simple side of salmon into something buttery soft and full of flavor thanks to a touch of sweetness. This recipe sounds fancy, but it is very easy and comes together in minutes with just a few simple seasonal ingredients, including cherry tomatoes and summer squash.

This easy Oven-Baked Salmon is the best way to make the most of your sheet pan suppers. This salmon recipe is simple enough to make for weeknight dinners but fancy enough to impress guests. If you have any picky eaters, who say they dislike fish, this meal will change their minds!

So watch the video tutorial below and find out why this is the best fish dish you have ever tried. You’ll also learn the 7 Best Tips to Make the Most of Your Sheet Pan Suppers!

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Table of Contents

The Best Baked Salmon Sheet Pan Supper Recipe

When it comes to simple weeknight suppers, this Roasted Salmon can be ready in as little as 20 minutes. So, it is easy to understand why it is one of my family’s favorite go-to seafood recipes.

We also have some other quick and easy fish recipes that top our list of favorites, including Sardines—like you have never tasted them before and the most delicious way to prepare Kippers! These are very affordable recipes, and both are included in the pages of my bestselling book, The Modern Pioneer Cookbook.

Baked Salmon Video

Watch the 7 Best Tips to Make the Most of Your Sheet Pan Suppers! And a Baked Salmon Sheet Pan Supper Recipe video

Watch Mary make this easy Baked Salmon sheet pan supper. It might look fancy, but it is so simple and flavorful. When you bring this to the table, there will be lots of Ooohs and Aaaahs. Yes, the presentation is quite impressive!

Why You’ll Love This Baked Salmon Recipe

  • One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks together on one baking sheet, making clean-up a breeze.
  • Healthy and Nutritious: Salmon is rich in heart-healthy Omega-3 Fatty Acids that are often underrepresented in most daily diets.
  • Simple and Flavorful: The combination of olive oil, butter, and a touch of sweetness brings out the best in each ingredient.

Ingredients

Find the full printable recipe with ingredients below.

The flavors provided by the olive oil, butter, sweetener (surprise!), some sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper make this Baked Salmon recipe stand out from all the others. (Plus, a touch of red pepper flakes for those who like a spicy kick.)

Sometimes, fish recipes can feel so light that folks leave the table hungry, but not in the case of this Salmon Recipe. Thanks to the rich good fats in salmon and the flavor punch from the toppings, everyone who enjoys this sheet-pan supper will leave the table full and satisfied!

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make Oven-Baked Salmon:

  • Salmon: 4 to 5 pound side of salmon
  • High Quality Fats: extra virgin olive oil and grass-fed butter
  • In-Season Vegetables: cherry tomatoes, yellow summer squash, and zucchini
  • A Touch of Sweetness: maple sugar since it won’t burn in a high temp oven
  • Seasonings: sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a touch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick—if desired

Baked Salmon Pro Tips

  • Selecting Salmon: Choose fresh, wild-caught salmon for the best flavor and nutrition.
  • Use Fresh Vegetables: Fresh in-season vegetables make a big difference in the flavor of the final dish.
  • Adjust Seasoning: Although sea salt and freshly ground black pepper provide great flavor, you can adjust the seasonings to your liking by adding dried herbs before putting the salmon in the oven or by using a smattering of freshly chopped herbs after the salmon comes out of the oven. Fresh dill is great for the post-oven option.
  • Even Cooking: Ensure the salmon and vegetables are spread out evenly on the baking sheet for uniform cooking.
  • Always Add Fat: For flavor and even browning, remember to always coat the salmon and veggies with a combination of extra virgin olive oil and butter.

How to Make Oven-Baked Salmon

Find the full printable recipe with measurements below.

Learning how to bake salmon in the oven is probably one of the easiest recipes you will ever know after my Simple Roast Chicken recipe. This Baked Salmon will certainly become a family go-to recipe favorite!

Here are the steps for how to make Oven-Baked Salmon:

  1. Drizzle Olive Oil: Lightly drizzle olive oil over a large sheet pan to prevent sticking.
  2. Place Salmon: Lay the salmon fillet in the center of the sheet pan.
  3. Add Vegetables: Surround the salmon with cut summer squash and zucchini.
  4. Add Cherry Tomatoes: Scatter cherry tomatoes around the salmon and vegetables.
  5. Drizzle Olive Oil: Drizzle olive oil over the salmon and vegetables.
  6. Season with Salt and Pepper: Sprinkle sea salt and freshly ground black pepper evenly over everything.
  7. Add Red Pepper Flakes: If you like a bit of spice, sprinkle red pepper flakes over the salmon and vegetables.
  8. Sprinkle Maple Sugar: Lightly sprinkle maple sugar over the salmon for a touch of sweetness.
  9. Add Butter: Dot small pieces of butter over the salmon and vegetables to add richness and aid in browning.
  10. Place in Cold Oven: Put the sheet pan into a cold oven on the middle rack.
  11. Set Temperature: Set the oven to 400°F (204°C).
  12. Bake: Bake for 20 minutes or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and the vegetables are al dente (cooked until firm but still tender, with a little resistance when bitten).

Baking Pro Tip

With this recipe, remember to bake your salmon uncovered to allow the fish to cook properly and develop a lovely, slightly crisp exterior while retaining its moist, flaky texture inside. Plus, keeping the sheet pan uncovered ensures the vegetables around the salmon roast perfectly, adding a delightful caramelization. Yum!

How Long Should You Really Bake Salmon?

This is the million dollar question! How long you should bake salmon depends on how you like your fish cooked. Just like when you cook steak, you will often hear the cooking terms (rare, medium, or well done) when referring to cooking fatty fish, including salmon.

My family leans toward the well done side, but I will share with you the basic internal temperatures for each category.

  • Rare Salmon: Less than 120°F (49°C), translucent flesh, and soft to the touch. However, the USDA doesn’t recommend this for safety reasons.
  • Medium Salmon: In the range of 120–125°F (49-52°C), opaque throughout, slightly firm, and with a pinkish center. Many folks like their salmon cooked to a medium temperature, but the USDA once again says this temperature isn’t safe. If you decide to go with this temperature range, be sure to let the salmon rest for 3–5 minutes after removing it from heat.
  • Well Done Salmon: In the range of 140–150°F (60°-66°C), firm flesh that’s fully cooked and has no pinkness. Some say cooking salmon to well done can make it extremely dry, so don’t overdo it! The good news is that the USDA says 145°F (63°C) is perfect!

Now, what if you don’t have an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature of your salmon? Don’t worry.

The first time you make this baked salmon recipe, check it at 12 minutes and see what you think of the salmon’s consistency. Then, check it again at 15 minutes and see what you think of the texture.

Chances are, at 12 minutes, it will be rare, and at 15 minutes, it will be medium. At 20 minutes, it’s most likely to be well done. As you make these observations, be sure to record them in your kitchen journal.

The Best Way to Buy Salmon

You’ll find many species of salmon for sale at your grocery store and online, but when you’re ready to shop for salmon, be sure to get a wild-caught variety.

Farm-raised varieties are naturally more grayish, so they are given feed that artificially boosts their color. They are also raised in very tight quarters that require the use of antibiotics to prevent infection. So, try to avoid the farm-raised varieties best you can.

Here are a few more tips when shopping for salmon:

  • Look for Vibrant Skin: Opt for salmon with silver, shiny skin. Wild-caught salmon boasts a beautiful bright pink or red color.
  • Choose Thick, Plump Fillets: A good salmon fillet should be thick and plump, with no signs of dryness or bruising. Thicker, fattier fillets, like those from Alaska King Salmon, are especially forgiving if you accidentally cook them a bit too long.
  • Choose a Whole Side of Salmon (if available): If you are lucky enough to find a whole side of salmon, grab it! The cost per pound will be considerably less than individual fillets.
  • Trust Your Nose: Fresh salmon should have a mild, ocean-like scent, not a strong fishy odor. Always give the fish a quick sniff at the counter to ensure it’s fresh.
  • Freshness is Key: According to USDA guidelines, aim to cook fresh salmon within 1-2 days of purchase for the best flavor and quality.
  • Skin-On vs. Skinless: Both options are delicious, but baking salmon with the skin on creates a natural barrier that locks in the fish’s natural oils and flavors, keeping it moist and flavorful.

Storing and Reheating Baked Salmon

  • Storage in the Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for no longer than four days. If the salmon takes on an unpleasant odor before that time, it should not be consumed.
  • Storage in the Freezer: Tightly wrap cooled salmon in plastic wrap and then place it into a freezer-safe container or bag. Keep frozen for no longer than three months. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
  • Reheat: Gently warm the salmon in a low oven (200°F / 93°C) or on the stovetop on low heat until it is heated through. High-heat reheating will dry out the salmon.

More Fish Recipes

Check out these budget-friendly fish dinner recipes. They are easy to make and extremely affordable when money is tight, but you want to include plenty of nutrient-dense foods in your diet.

See all →

More Sheet Pan Supper Recipes

Do you love the ease of making sheet-pan suppers or one-pot meals? I’ve got you covered with these easy-to-make, easy-to-clean-up, delicious meals.

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Looking for Wild Caught Salmon?

If you can’t find Wild-Caught Alaskan King Salmon in your neighborhood supermarket or farmer’s market, check out US Wellness Meats for nutrient-dense fish, beef, and more.

This post is not sponsored. I’m a long-time customer of US Wellness Meats because I have always been impressed by the quality of their products. Check out my US Wellness Meats unboxing video to see the types of products you can get, including bones for beef bone broth!

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You can also find salmon at Northwest Wild Foods, which sells a variety of raw, healthy, and natural foods. (Use promocode Marysnest for 10% off.)

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Baked Salmon Recipe – Sheet Pan Supper

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Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Yield: 8 people
Author: Mary Bryant Shrader
Print Recipe Save Recipe
This Baked Salmon recipe turns a simple side of salmon into something buttery soft and full of flavor thanks to a touch of sweetness. This recipe sounds fancy, but it is very easy and comes together in minutes with just a few simple seasonal ingredients, including cherry tomatoes and summer squash.

Equipment

  • 1 Half-Size Sheet Pan

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 to 5 pound side of salmon
  • 2 medium yellow summer squash chopped into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 medium zucchini chopped into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes whole
  • 1 teaspoon fine-ground sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes if desired
  • 1/8 cup maple sugar can substitute 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons butter preferably grass-fed

Instructions 

  • Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil and add a piece of parchment paper, if desired.
  • Lightly drizzle some of the olive oil over the sheet pan to prevent sticking.
  • Lay the salmon fillet in the center of the sheet pan, skin side down.
  • Surround the salmon with cut summer squash and zucchini.
  • Scatter cherry tomatoes around the salmon and vegetables.
  • Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the salmon and vegetables.
  • Sprinkle salt and pepper evenly over everything.
  • If you like a bit of spice, sprinkle red pepper flakes over the salmon and vegetables.
  • Lightly sprinkle maple sugar over the salmon for a touch of sweetness.
  • Dot small pieces of butter over the salmon and vegetables to add richness.
  • Put the sheet pan into a cold oven.
  • Set the oven to 400°F (204°C).
  • Bake for 20 minutes or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork, and the vegetables are tender.

Video

Notes

Find this recipe and video at https://marysnest.com/baked-salmon-recipe-how-to-make-the-most-of-your-sheet-pan-suppers/
For more traditional foods recipes and a guide to build your traditional foods kitchen, get my bestselling book, The Modern Pioneer Cookbook, at https://marysnest.com/my-cookbook/
Free and comprehensive lesson plans to teach traditional food recipes and kitchen techniques to students K-12, download The Modern Pioneer Cookbook Curriculum at https://marysnest.com/cookbook-curriculum/
Copyright © 2024 Mary’s Nest, LLC, All Rights Reserved

Nutrition

Calories: 443kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 47g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 132mg | Sodium: 424mg | Potassium: 1463mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 576IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 3mg
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 443
Keyword: Baked Salmon, Fish Dinner, Oven-Baked Salmon
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