Transform busy weeknight dinners with this foolproof 4-ingredient baked salmon that delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort and maximum flavor. This simple yet sophisticated recipe combines the natural richness of salmon with a perfectly balanced glaze made from brown sugar, soy sauce, and olive oil that caramelizes beautifully during baking. With just 5 minutes of prep time and hands-off cooking, you can have a nutritious, delicious meal on the table while tackling other evening tasks.
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Oven baked salmon
It can be hard to come up with new meals during the week. Work can run late, meaning that you don’t get many evenings when you can make a simply delicious meal and enjoy it.
I have a solution for you: baked salmon. I love a dinner like this. I can pop it in the oven and get a few more things done while it’s cooking. This way, the food and I are ready to sit down and enjoy our time spent together.
I don’t know why I didn’t post this easy-baked salmon recipe sooner. It has been one of my go-to salmon recipes for over ten years.
This salmon recipe will make you a hero for dinner – it’s so simple and tasty.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Only four basic ingredients
- Prep takes just 5 minutes
- Hands-off cooking time
- Perfect for busy weeknights
- Easy to scale up or down
- Foolproof method
Recipe ingredients
It has a fish fillet and three simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand in your pantry. Here’s the list:
- Salmon – Main protein; choose similar-sized pieces for even cooking
- Brown sugar – Creates a sweet caramelized exterior and balances soy sauce
- Soy sauce – Provides savory depth and helps season the fish
- Olive oil – Keeps salmon moist and helps with caramelization
Optional Finishing Touches:
- Fresh lemon juice – Adds brightness
- Fleur de sel – Enhances flavors
- Fresh herbs – For garnish
Choosing Your Salmon
Fresh vs. Frozen:
- Fresh: Best when available
- Frozen: Convenient and works great (Costco portions recommended)
- Look for: Bright color, firm texture, no strong fishy smell
Costco salmon is perfect for this recipe
I love to shop at Costco. This is a great baked salmon recipe for Costco salmon because they sell frozen salmon in individual packages, which are perfect for dinner.
I also buy fresh salmon at the store, but I love having a few tasty meals in the freezer. If I am using the frozen fish from Costco, I will take the pieces out of the freezer and put them in the refrigerator when I leave for work in the morning. This way, they will be defrosted and ready to be cooked when I get home.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Baked Salmon
- Prep the Oven:
- Preheat to 350°F
- Line the baking sheet with foil or parchment
- Prepare the Salmon:
- Remove from refrigerator 15-30 minutes before cooking
- Pat dry with paper towels
- Place on prepared baking sheet, skin-side down
- Make the Sauce:
- In a small bowl, whisk together:
- Brown sugar
- Soy sauce
- Olive oil
- Mix until sugar dissolves
- In a small bowl, whisk together:
- Season and Bake:
- Pour the sauce mixture over the salmon
- Bake 15-20 minutes (4-6 minutes per 1/2 inch thickness)
- Cook until internal temperature reaches 140°F
- Rest and Serve:
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving
- Add optional lemon juice and fleur de sel if desired
Pro Tips for Perfect Salmon
- Look for opaque flesh that flakes easily
- Let salmon come to room temperature before cooking
- Don’t rinse the fish – just pat dry
- Cook skin-side down
- Remove from oven just before it’s done (it will continue cooking while resting)
- Use a thermometer for perfect doneness
Common Questions & Troubleshooting
Q: How do I know when salmon is done?
A: Three ways to check:
- Internal temperature of 140°F
- The flesh is opaque throughout
- Fish flakes easily with a fork
Q: Can I use frozen salmon?
A: Yes! Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or during the workday. Pat dry before cooking.
What to serve with baked salmon
Here are some great side dishes to serve along with salmon:
Cooking during the week doesn’t have to be boring. You don’t have to cook only chicken because there are other tasty alternatives. I hope you enjoy one of my favorite baked salmon recipes.
How to make perfect baked salmon every time
- Allow your salmon to warm up to room temperature. Take it out of your refrigerator and let it rest on your kitchen counter for 15-30 minutes. This will help promote even cooking.
- Don’t rinse your salmon – water can break down the flesh. Instead, gently pat the salmon all over with a paper towel.
- Leave the skin on and bake the salmon with the skin side down. The skin will help protect the salmon from the heat of the pan and prevent it from drying out while cooking. When you take the salmon out of the pan, the skin will come off easily if you slide a spatula between the skin and the fillet.
- Bake salmon at 350°F. The internal temperature of the salmon should reach 140°F. This translates to about 4-6 minutes for every 1/2-inch of thickness. If you don’t use a thermometer, you can test for doneness by inserting a knife or fork into a thick part of the salmon and twisting it a bit; the fish should be opaque (i.e., not transparent) and flake easily.
- Don’t overcook your salmon. Ideally, remove the salmon from the oven before it’s “done” as it will continue cooking while it rests.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Refrigerator Storage: Store cooked salmon in airtight containers for up to 2 days in refrigerator for optimal quality and food safety.
- Freezing Not Recommended: Cooked salmon doesn’t freeze well and loses texture upon thawing.
- Reheating Methods: Gently reheat in 275°F oven for 15 minutes or microwave in 30-second intervals until warmed through.
- Cold Serving Option: Leftover salmon is served well in salads or on bagels with cream cheese.
- Best Fresh: Salmon is best enjoyed immediately after cooking for optimal texture and flavor.
Love Salmon? Try these recipes!
Best fish recipes
- How to Make Poached Fish
- How to Cook White Fish Fillet
- Shrimp Scampi Red Lobster
- How to Cook Shrimp Tempura Japanese Style
- Crispy Fish Batter Recipe
- Cajun Shrimp & Grits Recipe
- Coconut Butterfly Shrimp Recipe
- Fried Shrimp Scampi Recipe
- Clam Dip with Cream Cheese
- Seafood Gumbo Recipe
Be sure to check out my easy seafood recipes and quick and easy meals.
4-Ingredient Baked Salmon Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 ounces salmon
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Place salmon skin side down in a baking dish.
- In a small bowl combine brown sugar, soy sauce, and olive oil. Whisk marinade together until the sugar dissolves. Pour over salmon.
- Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes or until fish easily flakes when a fork is pressed into the flesh.
- If desired, serve with some fleur de sel and some lemon wedges.
Served this with a salad and some steamed yams, it was great.
I think the size of chicken breasts has changed dramatically since Julia Child’s day, which could account for some of her shorter cook time.
For the chicken part of the recipe. It says canned roasted tomatoes but under instructions it says sundried tomatoes. Which is correct, canned roasted or sundried (not talking about the noodle part, I know that’s sundried.
Which chicken recipe did you have questions about?
Hanks! My fiancé is an amazing cook but me, not so much! I made this today for dinner so he didn’t have to cook. It was great! Easy enough for this inexperienced cook and tasty enough for his experienced taste buds! I added A super reduced balasmic on top since we use it for Caprese salad and it baked onto The chicken really well. This recipe is a keeper! Any idea for a balsamic Like sauce to go with it?
Ok does Bake mean covered with foil or not?
It means you do not need to cover it with foil.
You can sub in maple syrup for the brown sugar, I usually use a little less like 1/4-1/3 cup. It blends easier and faster than the brown sugar too.
I can’t believe this was so simple, and so tasty. My kids loved this recipe.
This was so easy. I used this with some frozen salmon I had in the freezer, my husband wants me to make it again.
Making this again tonight – it is delicious! Even the picky kids likes it! And I love how quick and easy it is – with things I have on hand! Thanks for a great, easy recipe!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I really appreciate your efforts and
I will be waiting for your further post thank you once again.
Great way to make fish, but I like cheese too, do you think this would be good with cheese?
This was amazing! I made creamed spinach to go with….winning!
Add a couple tbl of balsamic vinegar and minced garlic and it may take it up a notch for you. I tried it with 1/4 cup of olive oil and 1/4 cup of sesame oil. Love your stuff, Steph.
I could totally go for what you do there. I think I would try that instead of this version 😉 I bet the sesame oil is amazing stuff.
If you like the Asian twist, you will love this. 18-19 min on my Weber, grilling with indirect heat covered, with the vents wide open. Just re-heat the remaining sauce and serve at the table.