These easy salmon recipes perfect for busy weeknights and special occasions, from baked and grilled to tacos and bowls. My tested dinner ideas make salmon that’s tender, flavorful, and a hit with everyone.
After years of making salmon recipes, I can finally say: I know a thing or two about how to cook this popular fish! I used to become frustrated by salmon that came out “fishy” tasting and mushy (has this happened to you?).
So I started on a quest to nail based baked salmon, then moved on to different cooking methods and flavor combinations. As I went along, luckily I found my family loved these recipes, too. Here is a list of my most reliable salmon recipes that work every single time: all tested on a real family (mine!). There’s everything from baked, grilled, burgers, tacos, salads, and more.
My Favorite Salmon Recipes
A lot of recipes claim to be the best baked salmon, but this one lives up to the hype. The tender fillet is perfectly seasoned with brown sugar, my “magic” salmon seasoning, and a crisp topping. After years of testing, I’ve rolled all my favorite tricks into this master recipe that makes tender, flavorful results.
I pan-fry the salmon for a brown, seared exterior, then finish it in the oven until perfectly tender. The sticky honey garlic sauce glaze adds sweet and savory complexity that makes simple fillets into something special.
This Parmesan crusted salmon is a delicious easy dinner that’s surprisingly quick to prepare. The crispy, flavorful topping perfectly complements the tender salmon! This one is always a hit with my family and friends.
This bowl of salmon and rice is one of my personal favorites! The chunks of tender fish are covered in an irresistible savory, garlicky and a little sweet salmon marinade. Combine that with fluffy rice and fresh veggies, then cover it with a spicy mayo to make the flavor pop.
This Tuscan-style salmon (also called “Marry Me Salmon” for good reason) cooks the fish in a luscious cream sauce with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and capers. The combination is so irresistible, it’s one of my favorites for impressing guests.
This lemon dill salmon is fast, easy, and even fancy enough for entertaining. Just throw it on a baking sheet, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and bake while mixing up a creamy lemon dill sauce.
My easy grilled salmon method produces tender fish with a lightly crisp crust every time. I sprinkle it with my “magic” seasoning blend, or you can make the grilled marinated salmon with a juicy, flavorful marinade.
If there’s one salmon recipe that always goes over well in my house, it’s tacos. These salmon tacos are bursting with fresh, zingy flavor, pairing blackened salmon with pineapple pico and a creamy green avocado sauce.
This chimichurri salmon pairs moist flaky salmon with the tangy, garlicky punch of this herby sauce—these flavors were made for each other! It’s so quick and easy to make broiled, or you can try it baked or grilled.
This baked salmon pasta bursts with flavor from tender flakes of salmon, zingy lemon and capers, and a mix of Mediterranean-style vegetables. It’s an easy recipe that makes a reliably delicious dinner. (a reader favorite!).
Pecan crusted salmon has a touch of restaurant-style fancy but is quick and easy to whip up on a weeknight. The crunchy topping of nuts, seasoned breadcrumbs, and Parmesan cheese takes basic salmon to the next level.
Pan-seared salmon is a basic method every cook should master because it’s fast, easy, and results in incredible flavor. This technique gives you a delicious seared crust with tender, moist fish.
This dinner recipe features a creamy, savory filling that tastes like everyone’s favorite dip, stuffed right into a salmon fillet. It’s become one of my favorite special-occasion salmon preparations that still comes together easily.
Salmon is tasty in a fillet and all, but have you ever tried slicing it into pieces before cooking? It makes perfectly seasoned bites that are simple to eat and perfect for serving over salads or in a bowl meal. They’re great for kids: making it a meal the entire family will love!
Miso makes magic in the kitchen: it adds a savory umami flavor to everything it touches. This glossy miso glaze is so full of flavor, you’ll want to brush a swipe onto just about everything you cook.
One of the best ways to cook salmon? In the broiler, so you don’t even need to preheat your oven! Let it come to room temp, then broil it for 7 to 10 minutes until cooked through. While it broils, I highly recommend making my lemon caper sauce.
These irresistible salmon burgers are hearty and juicy, topped with a creamy remoulade sauce that takes them to rockstar status. They’re a fun alternative to traditional burgers that still feels satisfying.
This Cajun salmon features a crispy blackened top seasoned with homemade Cajun spices for so much savory flavor. The tender fish underneath contrasts perfectly with the bold, spiced crust.
Imagine: tender, perfectly seasoned chunks of salmon nestled with bursts of crunchy romaine, juicy cherry tomatoes and crunchy croutons. It’s all covered in my favorite creamy homemade Caesar dressing. I often make this as a quick and easy weeknight meal!
I’m always game for more fast and easy dinner ideas, and this is one to bookmark to make on repeat. Brown sugar salmon is simple and comes together quickly with just a few pantry ingredients!
This simple salmon and asparagus sheet pan meal tastes like something you’d order at a restaurant, but it’s easy to whip up at home on a sheet pan. Roasting it with lemon slices and fresh herbs adds big flavor without adding hassle or effort.
The salmon in this recipe is roasted right on top of actual lemon slices and butter, which bakes into a sauce that you can spoon over the tender fish. Seasoned with a little dill and garlic powder, you can broil the top to get it lightly crisp after baking.
This Greek salmon salad is a healthy and satisfying dinner full of bold Mediterranean flavors! The star of the show is salmon bites, bite-sized pieces that add a pop of protein to each bite. Layer them over juicy tomatoes, cool cucumber, and feta cheese.
This dinner idea gives you maximum return on investment! In under 30 minutes, you’ve got tender, flaky salmon fillets that are bursting with flavor from a sticky glaze of honey, soy sauce, miso and garlic.
Want the perfect zingy sauce to add life to baked salmon? Bright green pesto goes hand in hand with tender baked fish to make a stunning dinner. Because really: what isn’t better with a little pesto on top?
This flavor-popping marinated salmon is salty, tangy, garlicky, and a little sweet from brown sugar. The marinade infuses the fish with so much flavor, it’s become my secret weapon for impressive dinners. I don’t always have the time to think ahead, but when I do I make this recipe.
Here I bake the salmon until it’s perfectly moist, then drizzle a silky lemon caper sauce over the top. Just a small drizzle of this sauce brings a load of bright, briny flavor.
Season a fillet with lemon juice, lemon zest, and black pepper, then pop it in the broiler or oven for an easy and flavorful meal. This simple preparation lets the quality of good salmon shine through. I like to use sockeye salmon, but it works with any type!
There’s something so satisfying about a good fish sandwich, and this one with salmon is so much fun. I like to throw a fillet of Old Bay-seasoned pan-seared salmon onto a bun with feta crumbles, red onion, and creamy lemony dill sauce.
The simple salmon bowl features tender, seasoned fish offset with rice and crisp-tender broccoli, all covered in an easy, creamy sauce. I serve mine with tahini dressing or miso dressing for extra flavor.
This maple glazed salmon comes out tender and flaky, spread with a sweet and tangy maple balsamic glaze. It’s ideal for weeknight meals when you want something special without much effort.
If you can find it, this unique cut of salmon is rich and meaty, making a dinner idea. This recipe comes out perfectly seasoned, cooked with a mixture of lemon, butter and olive oil and a delicious mix of spices.
The aroma from the oven will have you ready for this pistachio crusted salmon berore it even reaches your plate. Each bite of tender fish with the crunchy Parmesan pistachio topping makes you immediately want another.
Tender, flaky fish draped in a lemon butter sauce is such an easy and delicious salmon recipe. It’s rich and zingy, bringing a pop of flavor to each bite.
This blackened salmon is so flavor-filled, you’ll feel like you ordered it at a restaurant. The homemade blackened seasoning creates a savory, crispy black crust on the outside of the fish in just minutes.
Want salmon cooking basics? Try it pan seared, marinated, grilled, baked or broiled. Learn how to know when salmon is done, and browse ideas for leftover salmon.
Why Quality Matters When Buying Salmon
When buying salmon for these salmon recipes, there’s one rule to keep in mind: get the best quality fish you can find and afford! Low quality salmon can taste very fishy and have a mushy texture or ooze that white stuff once it’s cooked. The quality of the fish can make or break your salmon recipe! Here’s what to look for:
- Look for wild-caught salmon. Fish that is wild caught in your country is usually a sustainable choice. (There are also quality options in well-regulated farms; see Seafood Watch Consumer Guide.)
- Tend toward fresh salmon. Buying salmon fresh from the fish counter usually has the best flavor. Frozen can work too, just try to find high-quality frozen salmon and not a big economy-sized bag.
- Know your types of salmon. Coho salmon has a nice mild flavor: it’s a good middle of the road option in terms of price. King salmon is incredible, but on the expensive end. Atlantic salmon is often farmed, but can be a sustainable option. We find it’s better when purchased from a fresh counter (versus frozen). Ask about its source at the fish counter.
Mastering Salmon Cooking Methods
There are five main ways to cook salmon: pan fried, baked, broiled, grilled, and poached. The best way to assess doneness is with a food thermometer. Salmon is done when the internal temperature measures 125 to 130°F at the thickest point for medium cooked salmon (medium rare is 120°F). The fish will continue to cook after you remove it from the heat. To ensure full safety, the FDA recommended temperature for seafood is 145°F or well done.
| Salmon Cooking Method | Cook Time (depends on thickness) |
| Pan Seared Salmon | 4 to 8 minutes on medium high heat (2 to 3 minutes skin side up to sear, then flip) |
| Baked Salmon | 10 to 16 minutes at 400°F |
| Broiled Salmon | 5 minutes (thin) or 7 to 10 minutes (1-inch thick salmon) |
| Grilled Salmon | 5 to 10 minutes on medium high heat (375 to 450°F) (3 to 5 minutes skin side up until grill marks appear, then flip) |
| Poached Salmon | 7 to 10 minutes |
Dealing with Albumin (The White Stuff)
Ever noticed that gooey white stuff that sometimes appears on the surface of the fish after it’s cooked? It’s coagulated protein that seeps to the surface while cooking, called albumin. It’s safe to eat, but it does look less than appetizing on top of a beautiful fillet. The amount of albumin varies greatly depending on the piece of fish you buy, so it’s not something you can fully control.
To reduce the albumin, experiment with different types at different grocers to find those with less white stuff. It also helps to brine the salmon in a salt and water solution before baking:
- In a large shallow dish, whisk together 4 cups room temperature water and 3 tablespoons kosher salt until dissolved.
- Place the salmon in the water and wait for 15 minutes.
Easy Baked Salmon
This is the very best oven baked salmon recipe, seasoned perfectly with a crispy top! Here’s how to bake salmon: you’ll never need another way.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4
- Category: Main dish
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Seafood
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds or 4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets, wild caught if possible
- Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Allow the salmon to come to room temperature (or brine it in Step 2).
- Brine the salmon (optional): While the oven preheats, in a shallow dish mix together 4 cups room temperature water and 3 tablespoons kosher salt. Place the salmon in the water and wait for 15 minutes (this should be about the time it takes to preheat).
- Place a large sheet of aluminum foil on a baking sheet and brush it with olive oil. Pat each piece of salmon dry and place it on the foil skin side down. Brush with olive oil. Sprinkle the salmon with the kosher salt evenly divided among the fillets.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and cumin. Sprinkle the mixture evenly on top of the fillets.
- Bake the salmon for 10 to 16 minutes, depending on thickness, until just tender and pink at the center (the internal temperature should be between 125 to 130°F in the center). A 1-inch thick fillet should cook in about 15 minutes total. For a crispy top, when the salmon is at 115°F, broil for about 2 minutes (about the last 2 minutes of the cook time).
