Lemon Garlic Sockeye Salmon Recipe - Easy Oven Baked Salmon! (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to bake salmon at 350 or 400? ›

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.

As a general rule, when cooking sockeye in the oven, set the temp to 375° and give it 10 minutes for every inch of thickness.

The easiest way to prevent an overcooked, dry piece of fish is to use a digital meat thermometer to track the internal temperature of your fillets as you cook. Once the thickest part of the fillet is a few degrees below your target temperature, remove the fish from the pan, oven, or grill and cover it with foil.

Individual, 6-ounce portions bake in 12 to 14 minutes at 400 degrees F. The cooking time can be several minutes longer or shorter depending upon the thickness of your particular piece of salmon.

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.

Wrap your salmon in a parchment packet with aromatics, citrus, veggies, and a drizzle of olive oil. The steam trapped in the packet will infuse the fish with flavor and cook it gently, making it tender and juicy. Bonus: The parchment packets only take about 15 minutes at 425°F and the cleanup is minimal.

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.

You rinse the salmon.

The USDA cautions: “do not rinse raw fish, seafood, meat, and poultry. Bacteria in these raw juices can splash and spread to other foods and surfaces. Cooking foods thoroughly will kill harmful bacteria.”

So, you want skin that is super crisp and flavorful, just as you would want with chicken. Starting your salmon skin-side down, and cooking it until it is well rendered, lightly browned, and crisp, and then turning the salmon to finish the cooking, will make for a terrific dining experience.

Remove scales (optional)

If your salmon still has scales, you may want to remove them. Use the backside of a knife or a fish scaler to scrape against the grain of the scales, from tail to head. Rinse the fish again after scaling to remove any loose scales.

Should you rinse sockeye salmon before cooking? ›

You don't need to rinse fish, chicken, pork, or any other meat before cooking. Not only does it not get rid of bacteria, it spreads bacteria (if water splashes from the sink in the process of rinsing). What kills bacteria much more effectively is cooking.

Bake the salmon at 275°F for 20 minutes, or at 300°F for 10 to 15 minutes. These oven temperatures and cook times work every time, regardless of how you season and glaze your filet of salmon, and whether the skin is on or off.

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.

Salmon Temperature – 125°F

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. Check out these key temperatures for Smoked Salmon, or look at a great method for grilling salmon!