Getting a wholesome dinner on the table doesn't always have to require hours of prep or a sink full of dirty dishes. This easy garlic baked salmon turns out incredibly tender and juicy, topped with a rich layer of minced garlic that mellows beautifully in the oven. It takes just 5 minutes of prep and 12-13 minutes in the oven, making it the perfect simple solution for busy weeknights.
Baked salmon is always my go-to for an easy meal. Whether it is lunch or dinner, you cannot go wrong with a simple oven baked salmon. This recipe is similar to my viral oven baked pork chops recipe, if you've made that one, then you know how much delicious flavor comes from adding that quick topping of fresh minced garlic before it goes into the oven!
You might also like my Teriyaki Salmon recipe or this Salmon Quinoa Bowl recipe.
Table of contents
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
- Salmon: You'll need four 6-ounce skinless salmon fillets for this recipe. Try to choose fillets that are relatively uniform in thickness so they cook at the exact same rate in the oven.
- Olive Oil: A quick drizzle of high-quality olive oil ensures the seasonings stick to the fish and helps lock in those precious juices while it bakes.
- Garlic: I use three large, fresh cloves of garlic, finely minced. Since this is a garlic-forward dish, skip the jarred stuff! Fresh cloves give the absolute best flavor.
- Seasonings: A simple blend of one teaspoon of Kosher salt and half a teaspoon of black pepper is all you need to let the natural flavor of the fish shine.
- Garnish: Fresh parsley and juicy lemon wedges add the perfect bright finish right before serving.
See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and measurements.
How To Make
Making this dinner is incredibly straightforward. With just four simple steps, you'll have a perfectly flaky baked lemon garlic salmon ready to enjoy.
- Preheat your oven and use a clean paper towel to thoroughly pat both sides of your salmon fillets completely dry on a cutting board.
- Transfer the fillets to your baking pan and drizzle both sides with a little bit of olive oil. Evenly season both sides with your Kosher salt and black pepper.
- Divide the fresh minced garlic evenly and sprinkle it directly onto the top surface of each seasoned salmon fillet.
- Pop the pan into the oven until the salmon easily flakes with a fork. Remove from the oven, garnish immediately with fresh parsley and a fresh squeeze of lemon juice. Enjoy!
See the recipe card below for the full recipe.
👉 Sky's Tips
- Pat the Fish Dry First: Always use a paper towel to thoroughly dry your salmon before adding anything to it! Removing that surface moisture helps the olive oil and seasonings stick to the fish, and it keeps the salmon from steaming while it bakes.
- Let it Rest (The Carryover Secret): To keep your salmon incredibly juicy, pull it out of the oven when the thickest part reads between 140°F-142°F on a digital thermometer. Food continues to cook for a few minutes after it's out of the heat! While it rests on your counter, it will gently rise to the perfect, flaky 145°F without drying out.
- The Fresh Lemon Finish: Giving the hot salmon a fresh squeeze of lemon juice right before serving is an absolute must. That quick splash of bright citrus cuts through the rich oils of the fish and completely wakes up the baked garlic flavor!
What to Serve with Baked Salmon
Turn this simple protein into a complete, scratch-made meal! Since the salmon takes up the oven, I love pairing it with quick, delicious stovetop side dishes to keep dinner prep as easy as possible. Here are a few family favorites that cook right on your stovetop:
- Simple Rice Pilaf - A fluffy, savory rice pilaf is a classic pairing for seafood. It takes just 40 minutes from start to finish on the stovetop.
- Easy Sauteed Squash - A quick stovetop sauté caramelizes the summer squash in just a few minutes without making them mushy, adding a lovely color and flavor to your plate.
- Sautéed Green Beans with Mushrooms - Fresh green beans and earthy mushrooms sautéed together in a single skillet add a wonderful, savory crunch that texturally balances out the tender fish.
- Lemon Herb Quinoa - Bright, fluffy, and packed with fresh herbs. The extra hint of citrus in the quinoa mirrors the fresh lemon squeeze on the salmon perfectly.
I hope this quick and flavorful dinner becomes a regular part of your busy weeknight rotation! Drop a comment below and let me know how yours turned out, and don't forget to leave a star rating in the recipe card if you loved it.
-Sky🩷
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If you tried this Easy Garlic Baked Salmon recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟star rating and let me know how it went in the comment section below!
📖 Recipe
The Best Garlic Baked Salmon
Ingredients
- 4 6 ounce salmon fillets skinless
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 2-3 cloves garlic minced
- lemon for garnish
- parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Pat both sides of each salmon fillet completely dry with a paper towel and lay them out on a baking sheet.
- Drizzle both sides of the fillets with a light drizzle of olive oil. Season both sides evenly with the Kosher salt and black pepper.
- Divide the minced garlic evenly and sprinkle onto the top of each seasoned fillet.
- Place in the preheated oven and bake for 12 to 13 minutes, or until the thickest part of the salmon registers between 140°F-142°F on a digital thermometer.
- Remove the pan from the oven. Garnish immediately with fresh chopped parsley and a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Let the fish rest for 2-3 minutes (where it will finish climbing to 145°F) before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Skin-On Salmon Option: If your fillets have the skin on, don't sweat it! Just place them skin-side down on your baking pan. The skin acts as a natural heat barrier that keeps the fish incredibly juicy, and the flaky meat will slide right off it easily when you go to serve.
- Pat the Fish Dry: Thoroughly patting the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel before adding the olive oil ensures the seasonings stick to the fish and prevents it from steaming while it bakes.
- For the absolute best texture, pull the salmon from the oven when a digital thermometer reads between 140°-142°F at the thickest part. The temperature will gently rise to the recommended 145°F while it rests on the counter for a few minutes.
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