EASY LEMON BAKED SALMON

An incredibly easy and quick dish that takes very little effort in the kitchen and is ideal for feeding the family on a busy weeknight. It also provides plenty of those essential omega 3 fatty acids.

Cooking a whole side of salmon can appear a little daunting if you’ve never done it before. I avoided cooking fish for a long time as I thought it was too tricky. But honestly, it couldn’t be simpler! If you’re new to cooking you must try this – it is such a quick and easy dish to make. I find baking the easiest way to cook fish as you leave it in the oven to do its thing. As long as you don’t cook it for too long you can’t go wrong.

Why You Should Cook This

• Salmon is an oily fish that contains omega 3 fat which is essential to maintain a healthy body. 
• This is a great dish for picky eaters as it’s quite “plain” and can easily be adapted to suit different tastes. For more meal ideas check out my post on picky eaters.
• Great for a quick mid week meal or even a no stress dinner party.
• 5 minutes prep then straight in the oven!

Variations

There are a number of ways you can switch up this easy lemon baked salmon according to your tastes. Here are some ideas to try! Try experimenting by using different seasonings on the salmon. I sometimes like to sprinkle the salmon with cajun seasoning for a bit or a kick. You could also try spreading your favourite pesto on top before cooking. Use different herbs for alternative flavours. Rosemary, parsley and dill are all great with salmon.

Serve With

I like to serve my easy baked lemon salmon with a salad and garlic bread but it’s also delicious with boiled new potatoes and green beans or chips and peas. This can be a keto friendly dish by serving with a large salad and leaving out the carbs.

Troubleshooting Ideas and Questions

How do I know when the salmon is done?
I’ve given estimated timings for this recipe as every piece of salmon will be slightly different in size and thickness. I tend to cook for 15 mins. I then check if it is done by making a small cut into the thickest part of the fish with a sharp knife. Have a peek inside and if it still looks completely raw it needs more cooking. If the inside is just slightly translucent then the salmon is done. It can be left to rest for a few minutes where the heat will continue to permeate and it will finish cooking. 

Can I cook the salmon from frozen?
It is possible to cook the salmon from frozen. You will however need to keep a close eye on it and check it more often. It will take longer to cook.

Do I eat the skin?
When salmon is baked the skin tends to go soft. The skin will be perfectly edible but not as nice as a pan fried piece of fish with a crispy skin. The skin is easily removed after cooking.

Do I need baking paper?
It is best to put a layer of baking paper or foil underneath the salmon.  This will prevent any problems with it sticking to the sheet.

Storage

Leftovers can be eaten the next day with a simple salad or mixed into pasta. I tend not to reheat the salmon as it will overcook and go dry.

Ingredients

Side of salmon – a whole side is often better value than buying individual fillets. You can cut different portion sizes to suit adults or children after cooking. This size will easily serve a family of five.

Lemon – cut into slices

Garlic – I prefer to use fresh garlic for this dish, but you can use garlic powder

Herbs – Use any herbs you like. Here I’ve used dried Herbs de Provence.

Easy Lemon Baked Salmon – Step by Step

Take the salmon out of the fridge. Let it come to room temperature for 10 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients. Heat oven to 180 degrees C. 

Line a large baking tray with baking (parchment) paper and place your salmon on top. Sprinkle the salmon with the dried herbs and garlic slices. Season with salt and pepper. Arrange the lemon slices on top of the salmon and drizzle with a little olive oil. 

Place the salmon in the oven. After 15 minutes, check the thickest part of the fish to see if it is cooked through. Cooking times will vary depending on the thickness of the salmon.  If necessary, place the salmon back in the oven for another 3-4 minutes then check again.

When the salmon is done, leave it at room temperature for a few minutes. Then slice into portions and serve immediately with the vegetables.