Dijon Baked Salmon - The Best Baked Salmon Recipe | Downshiftology (2024)

FAQs

Should salmon be covered or uncovered when baking? ›

Baked salmon is best when cooked at 425°F in the oven.

Even thicker fillets don't take long. We recommend baking the salmon uncovered. Simply rub the fillets with a little oil, sprinkle them with salt and pepper, then place them in the roasting pan skin-side down before popping them in the oven.

What is the best temperature to bake salmon? 400°F (205°C) is ideal as it allows the fish to gain colour and the skin to become crispy. If you prefer a milder method, you can bake it at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes or until done. The salmon baked at 425°F (215°C) produces tender, creamy fillets that cook quickly.

Roasting salmon fillets in the oven gives you beautiful, succulent fish that doesn't require constant attention. This method, which we recommend if you're cooking four or fewer fillets, has you sear the fish in a pan on the stovetop first, which crisps the skin delectably.

Salmon does not need much seasoning to be flavorful. You can season it with just salt and black pepper or with a combination of lemon juice, fresh herbs, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, butter, minced garlic, and any other flavors you desire. 3. Dry the salmon to ensure crispy skin.

The foil helps cook the fish faster and just all around better. Another reason is that it's a healthy way to cook fish. Yes, salmon is already a very healthy fish. But if you cook it in foil, you don't have to use a lot of oil or butter to cook it.

The white stuff that oozes out of salmon is called albumin, a type of protein in the fish (other foods with albumin include eggs, beef and milk). You can't see albumin when the fish is raw—it only appears when the salmon is exposed to heat. As salmon cooks, the albumin turns from its liquid state into a semi-solid one.

Salmon – like all fish – has almost no collagen, which means it will start to lose moisture more quickly than beef. While the FDA recommends cooking fish to 145°F, for a flakier, more moist and tender salmon filet, many chefs find that it's best enjoyed when cooked to medium – 125°F.

Salmon is one of the healthiest and most popular fishes to make, and if you like the skin, there's absolutely no reason to discard it. In fact, the salmon skin is known to be an excellent source of minerals, plus omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins B and D, and more nutrients.

Not checking the internal temperature of the salmon

As with meat, the fish will have some carryover cooking, so pull it about five degrees before it hits your target temp and rest it for 5 minutes before eating.

PAN SEARING

Place salmon, skin-side up, into pan and cook until browned, about 4 minutes. Carefully flip salmon and cook for another 3 minutes or until done.

Does salmon taste better grilled or baked? ›

Grilling salmon imparts a smoky flavor and creates beautiful grill marks. The heat from the grill caramelizes the exterior, creating a delicious crust while keeping the flesh tender and moist. Because grilling is a relatively quick cooking method, it retains the fish's nutritional value.

Garlic marinade

Garlic and salmon make for a very tasty pairing, especially if left to marinate for a good amount of time. You can use garlic butter, olive oil, and a little bit of rosemary or other fresh herbs of your choice to make a light and flavorful dish.

Seasoning salmon with salt and pepper for baking is exactly like seasoning it for any other cooking process: Pat it dry, sprinkle all sides with salt and pepper (including skin if your fish has it) and use a lighter touch if you're adding salty or peppery ingredients later.

A creamy but slightly tangy sauce works really well with salmon, and it's why sour cream-dill sauce over salmon is such a classic. Try mixing in curry powder, Sriracha, or scallions into yogurt or crème fraîche for an easy, elegant salmon topper.

Drizzle the salmon with the oil, then add seasonings of choice. Bake salmon at 400 degrees F for 11 to 14 minutes for 6-ounce fillets or 15 to 18 minutes for a single side, until it registers 135 degrees F on an instant read thermometer inserted at the thickest part of the salmon.

Baking in foil

Lots of people prefer to bake their fish by wrapping it in foil. This method is very efficient, as it cuts down on oven and utensil cleaning time. By wrapping the fish in a protective covering, it has a similar effect to steaming, as moisture is sealed within the foil rather than escaping into the oven.

Salmon fillets are best cooked starting with the skin-side down. This prevents over-browning the meat, which can make it dry and pretty unappealing to look at on the plate. "When pan-frying or grilling, cook salmon fillets skin-side down for 5-7 minutes, flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes," says Norton.

Arrange the salmon fillets on the baking dish, skin side down. If using, arrange the lemon slices around the fish. Lightly brush the lemon slices with olive oil. Bake the salmon, uncovered, until it's opaque and cooked through and its internal temperature reaches 145°F.