Oven Baked salmon

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Oven baked salmon is perfect for when your looking for a quick and easy dinner that’s healthy and tastes amazing. Just 6 simple ingredients is going to give you flavoursome, flaky and succulent fish thats ready in 20 minutes.

Whenever I think about easy, weeknight meals this baked salmon recipe always comes to mind.

Just when you thought this recipe could not get any better, the salmon is wrapped in foil and baked in the oven. No fry pan required! Which means clean up will be a breeze.

I love recipes like oven baked beef burgers and crispy oven baked potato chips. Not only is cooking in the oven healthier than frying but it also saves me cleaning the stove top which is definitely not one of my favourite things to do.

Although, don’t get me wrong I definitely love a good crispy skin salmon and If you are in need of a recipe Iv’e mastered it without using a single drop of oil! You can get the recipe right here.

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OVEN BAKED SALMON

Salmon is such a great fish to cook with because It’s loaded up with so many good vitamins and nutrients. It’s mild in flavour which means the kids will love it and when cooked right It is so tender and juicy.

Look no further because this really is the perfect weeknight dinner. Plus It’s also fancy enough to impress your family and friends when they come around for for lunch or dinner.

Baking the salmon in the oven is a great option because it gives you beautiful, moist fish that won’t require your constant attention.

So get yourself a glass of wine girlfriend and let your oven do the hard work.

Health benefits of easting salmon

• Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids
• Great source of protein and potassium
• Keeps you fuller for longer
• Great for weight loss
• Reduces the risk of heart disease
• High in B vitamins
• Loaded with antioxidants
• Good source of selenium

Thats 8 reasons right there why introducing salmon in your diet is going to be so beneficial for the whole family.

Because we are baking the fish it automatically makes it better for you than frying. Nevertheless I have come across so many oven baked salmon recipes that use butter. A LOT of butter!

I get it, using butter in cooking tastes amazing, but salmon is already a fatty fish and it really doesn’t need the addition of butter.

Cooking in foil

In this recipe the salmon is wrapped in foil and baked in the oven. This cooking technique is so simple and easy yet so effective.

The foil conducts heat well and acts as a protective barrier to stopping food from overcooking. It allows the fish to be cooked slower and more evenly whilst locking in the moisture. This will result in tender and moist fish.

Cooking in foil also saves you from having to scrub baked on food from your oven dish. Once the fish is cooked, you can transfer it to a plate and simply throw out the foil.

If cooking with foil concerns you then you can also use baking paper and follow the same recipe.

What you will need

• Salmon fillets; if your fillets have the skin on then leave it on whilst baking as it will easily come off once cooked.
• Garlic
• Lemon (juice and zest) a zester makes life so much easier here.
• Baby capers
• Fresh Parsley
• Extra virgin olive oil

Experimenting with flavours

The great bit about this recipe is that It’s a wonderful base recipe for baked salmon. Once you have this down pat you can experiment with loads of different flavour combinations.

Im talking fresh herbs, chilli, lime, spices and even greens.

Here are a few other options to get you started

• Lemon and rosemary
• Lemon, fresh dill and capers
• Dukkah
• Garlic butter (again go easy on the butter as salmon is already an oily fish)
• Asparagus and cherry tomatoes
• Asian greens

How to make oven baked salmon

For this recipe I use 4 salmon fillets, if your using 2 just halve the recipe.

To prepare your salmon, lay out 4 sheets of foil on a clean kitchen bench that are large enough to wrap each salmon fillet. You don’t want any of the salmon exposed.

Place the salmon fillets (skin side down if the skin is on) and season each fillet generously with salt and cracked black pepper.

Divide the crushed garlic, lemon zest, baby capers and the parsley over your steaks.

Pour over the lemon juice and olive oil.

Gently wrap the foil over the salmon so its enclosed in parcels. Make sure you don’t wrap them too tight as you want the air to circulate.

Transfer the salmon to a baking dish and place in a pre heated oven at 200 degrees.

Bake for 10-12 minutes. The salmon is cooked when it flakes easily if tugged at with a fork.

Remove the skin, it will come off easily once the salmon is cooked and serve with extra lemon wedges.

See below for the full recipe

Tips for cooking the best salmon

The salmon will continue to cook even after you remove the tray from the oven. So when the salmon looks almost done, remove from the oven and keep it enclosed in the foil and let rest for another 5 minutes.

The salmon is cooked when it flakes easily if tugged at with a fork.

If you love your salmon extra lemony place some sliced lemon under the salmon before cooking.

What to serve oven baked salmon with

There are so many delicious ways to serve this fish and here are a few ideas;

One of my absolute favourites sides is creamy sweet potato mash. Just peel and slice 2 large sweet potatoes, place them in an oven dish with some olive oil, salt and pepper. Cover and roast until soft then add a small knob of butter and a splash of milk and mash until creamy.

While you have your oven on, check out my crispy oven baked potato chips

A zesty lemon and herb rice

How about a fresh and crisp Greek salad or tabouli.

You can’t go wrong with French stye peas either!

Tools to make the job easier

Microplane super fine zester

Ceramic rectangular baking dish

Garlic crusher

Check out my list of kitchen essentials I can’t live without!

So thats a wrap! and after reading my post I really hope you include this delicious recipe in your dinner plans this week. 🙂

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