Introduction

Cooking salmon in the oven is one of my favorite ways to prepare this delicious fish. The salmon is moist, tender, and flavorful—and super easy to prepare. Just follow these simple steps:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Preheat the oven for at least 15 minutes before cooking.

Line a baking sheet with foil.

Line a baking sheet with foil. To line the baking sheet, place the foil on top of the baking sheet and then fold it over onto itself. You can also place a piece of parchment paper on top of the baking sheet and then flip it over.

Lightly season the salmon with salt and pepper.

You can add a little butter or olive oil to the pan if you’d like, but it’s not necessary.

Lightly season the salmon with salt and pepper. You don’t need to use any other seasonings; just these two will do!

Place the salmon skin side up on the lined baking sheet.

• Place the salmon skin side up on the lined baking sheet.

If you don’t line your baking sheet, the fish will stick to it and be difficult to remove from the pan. If you line it with parchment paper or foil, however, then when it’s time for cooking (or serving), all you need do is lift off this non-stick surface and voila! Your salmon fillet is ready for plating!

Roast until just cooked through (medium rare), about 15 minutes; or until cooked through (medium), about 20 minutes; or until cooked through (well done), about 25 minutes.

Roast the salmon until just cooked through (medium rare), about 15 minutes; or until cooked through (medium), about 20 minutes; or until cooked through (well done), about 25 minutes.

If you want to test your salmon for doneness, use a fork to pull out some of the meat at its thickest point and check for bright red coloration with no hint of pink in the center. If there’s still any hint of pink in the middle, keep roasting until it’s gone completely white throughout.

How long to cook salmon in the oven depends on how you like it done

How long to cook salmon in the oven depends on how you like it done.

If you want to bring out the flavor of your salmon and keep it moist, then it’s best to start with a high temperature, then finish at a lower temperature. This will help seal in all those delicious juices within each bite of fish!

For thicker cuts of salmon (like steaks), we recommend cooking at 425 degrees F for 10-12 minutes per inch thickness. If using whole fillets or smaller portions, then just adjust accordingly based on their size–your oven should be set at 350 degrees F regardless!

Conclusion

You can cook salmon in the oven to your desired doneness, and it’s super easy! Just remember that if you want it medium rare or medium, use a temperature of 400 degrees F. If well-done salmon is what you’re after, then crank up the heat to 450 degrees F.