What else could be better than having a delicious and crispy oven-baked salmon on the weekend nights with your loved ones? With salmon, you can prepare a lot of dishes and that too flavorful ones. Talk2Food grilled salmon recipe is one of the best examples. But baked salmon tastes different. Baking may sound easier than grilling a salmon, but there is a lot you have to do when baking a salmon. There is only one way you can master the baking of a salmon, and that is by exploring all the details that I have mentioned in this article. 

Here are all the details from baking a salmon to its health benefits. 

Complete Recipe For Baking Salmon 

Salmon we know is enriched with protein, omega-3s, vitamins, and calcium. You can read in-depth on the benefits of protein and all these vitamins for the human body in the health section of the onetable world. But for now, I will share how to bake salmon perfectly without altering the nutritional benefits it offers.

Here is the complete guide:

Ingredients 

Ingredients are the key and heart of every recipe. Similarly, for baking salmon, having an oven is not just enough. You must have all these ingredients:

• Salmon Fillets: You fresh salmon fillets or normal size and thickness. You can also choose fillets of your preferred size and thickness. 
• Olive Oil / Vegetable Oil: Olive oil is a must. You can also use alternatives such as vegetable oil. Butter is also one of the best substitutes. 
• Kosher salt: Kosher salt gives the perfect taste to the baked salmon. You can also go with himalayan pink salt. 
• Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper is a must for the perfect seasoning of the salmon fillet.
• Minced Garlic: Use 3 to 4 cloves of minced garlic. You can add more or less based on your preferences.
• Herbs: Italian herbs are also important. You can also go for your choice of herbs like parsley to give an aromatic flavor to the baked salmon. 
• Lemon Juice: Use one lemon juice to give a juicy and tarty flavor to the salmon. 

Recipe

For baking the salmon, follow these instructions carefully:

• Preheat the oven at 375°F.
• Now take a paper towel and pat dry the salmon fillet. 
• Now season the fillet with salt and pepper.
• Now take a bowl, add olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, and herbs. 
• Give a good mix and prepare a seasoning mixture.
• Brush this seasoning over the salmon fillet on both sides. 
• Take a baking tray and spread a baking sheet on it. 
• Now place the seasoned salmon fillet on the baking tray without overlapping or stacking any of the salmon fillet. 
• Now, let the salmon cook in the oven for 13 to 15 minutes depending upon the thickness of the fillet. 
• Once the salmon is flaky when pulled apart with a fork, it is a sign that the salmon is cooked perfectly. The crispy golden color also signifies its doneness.
• Now dish it out in the serving dish and you can garnish it with parsley.
• Now serve the salmon with your desired dips or sides and enjoy. 

How To Properly Thaw Frozen Salmon?

You can not start baking a frozen salmon right away. Not just salmon, all the other food items are a big no to cook when they are frozen. If your salmon is in the freezer and you are planning to cook, then you need to thaw it first. Here are the two commonly used methods of thawing the frozen salmon:

• Thawing Overnight

If you are planning to bake salmon a day later, then you must thaw it overnight in the fridge. With this method, you give enough time to thaw overnight for approximately 12 to 13 hours. When thawing it in the fridge, make sure it is still wrapped and is placed on a plate so that the drain does not destroy other things in the fridge. 

• Thawing In Cold Water

If you are in a hurry and want to bake salmon the same day, fret not because you can still thaw it in an hour or less. For immediate thawing of the salmon, you need a bowl of cold water and immerse the salmon in it. Make sure the water is cold enough. Once the water gets warm, replace it with cold water for perfect thawing. 

The Best Temperature For Baked Salmon

The right temperature settings are paramount for the perfect cook and crisp on the salmon. No matter how well you have followed the recipe, a lot of things can go wrong if you are not setting the right temperature. The perfect temperature for baking a salmon is not specified because it varies depending upon the size and thickness of the salmon. However, temperatures near to 375°F and lower are ideal settings. With the temperature settings, the time to cook is also important/

These are some of the cooking timings that you will need for varying pieces of salmon with different thickness:

• 13 minutes for a normal sized salmon fillet
• 15 minutes for a thick salmon fillet
• 20 minutes for a whole salmon side

Is Baked Salmon Healthy?

Salmon is one of the biggest sources of protein and omega-3s. With baking the salmon instead of opting for frying methods, you ensure the health benefits are not altered. Baking gives you an opportunity to prepare delicious salmon with fewer unhealthy ingredients preserving its natural nutrients. So, having baked salmon for your meal is always the best. 

Final Thought!

Add flavor to your daily meals by opting for healthy and nutrient rich food items. Salmon is one of the many and baking it is the best thing you can do. So, keep our instruction of baking the salmon in mind and execute a perfect protein rich dish that you will surely drool over.