The Best 5 Ingredient Baked Salmon
The best 5 ingredient baked salmon is crispy, flaky, and full of fresh lemon flavor. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to perfect salmon every time. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Crispy Potato Egg and Cheese Breakfast Tacos and Spicy Breakfast Tacos.
Why This The Best 5 Ingredient Baked Salmon Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy skin and flaky flesh
- Bursting with fresh lemon flavor
- Easy and quick to make
- Healthy and protein-packed
What You'll Need for The Best 5 Ingredient Baked Salmon
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 4 salmon fillets
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 lemon, sliced
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Lemon
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: Lemon wedges
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Salmon fillets: Skin-on fillets work best for crispy skin.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast iron skillet — Even heat for perfect searing. → See on Amazon
- Digital meat thermometer — Ensures perfect doneness every time. → See on Amazon
How to Make The Best 5 Ingredient Baked Salmon
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Season salmon: Pat salmon fillets dry with a paper towel. Drizzle with olive oil, then season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Prepare baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place salmon fillets skin-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Top each fillet with lemon slices.
- Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. Be careful not to overcook.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges. Enjoy!
Cook's Tips for Perfect The Best 5 Ingredient Baked Salmon
- Common mistake and fix: The #1 reason this recipe fails is overcooking. To prevent it, use a meat thermometer. Salmon is done at 145°F (63°C).
- Pro tip: For extra crispy skin, start the salmon skin-side down in a cold oven, then turn the heat on. Bake for 15-20 minutes.
- Pro tip: To prevent the fillets from sticking, make sure your baking sheet and parchment paper are greased or non-stick.
Storing & Reheating The Best 5 Ingredient Baked Salmon
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the salmon up to the baking step, then refrigerate until ready to bake.
Freezing The Best 5 Ingredient Baked Salmon
Freeze cooked salmon for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 30-60 seconds, then broil for 2-3 minutes for crispy skin.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix.
- Best substitution: You can use cod or halibut fillets as a substitute for salmon.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the salmon up to the baking step, then refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily scalable. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Troubleshooting: If your salmon is sticking to the parchment paper, try greasing the paper or using a non-stick baking sheet.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality olive oil — Makes a big difference in flavor. → Check price on Amazon
The Best 5 Ingredient Baked Salmon
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 lemon, sliced
Seasonings
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Lemon
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Season salmon: Pat salmon fillets dry with a paper towel. Drizzle with olive oil, then season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Prepare baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place salmon fillets skin-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Top each fillet with lemon slices.
- Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. Be careful not to overcook.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges. Enjoy!
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix.
- Best substitution: You can use cod or halibut fillets as a substitute for salmon.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the salmon up to the baking step, then refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily scalable. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Troubleshooting: If your salmon is sticking to the parchment paper, try greasing the paper or using a non-stick baking sheet.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked salmon for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 30-60 seconds, then broil for 2-3 minutes for crispy skin.
- Make ahead: Prepare the salmon up to the baking step, then refrigerate until ready to bake.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 34g
- Fat: 21g
- Carbs: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Cholesterol: 95mg
- Sat. Fat: 3.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
The Best 5 Ingredient Baked Salmon FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the salmon up to the baking step, then refrigerate until ready to bake. Bake as directed when ready to serve.
The #1 reason salmon turns out dry is overcooking. Use a meat thermometer to ensure your salmon is cooked to 145°F (63°C) and no more.
Yes, you can make this in the air fryer. Preheat to 400°F (200°C), then cook the salmon for 10-12 minutes, or until cooked through.
Cod or halibut fillets make a great substitute for salmon in this recipe.
Yes, this baked salmon is perfect for a cozy winter dinner. Serve with some roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try The Best 5 Ingredient Baked Salmon and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
