Baked Salmon Lemon Pepper (Print)
Tender salmon fillets seasoned with lemon zest and pepper, oven-baked for a flavorful, quick main dish.
# Ingredient List:
→ Fish
01 - 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each), skin-on or skinless
→ Seasonings
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
04 - 1 tsp sea salt
05 - 1 lemon, zested and juiced
06 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
07 - 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
→ Garnish
08 - Lemon slices, for serving
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease with olive oil.
02 - Place salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet, skin-side down if applicable.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, black pepper, salt, and chopped parsley.
04 - Brush the mixture evenly over the top of each salmon fillet.
05 - Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork (internal temperature should reach 145°F).
06 - Remove from oven, garnish with extra parsley and lemon slices. Serve immediately.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- Ready in under 30 minutes with ingredients you probably have
- The lemon pepper crust creates restaurant quality flavor at home
- Perfect for weeknight dinners but impressive enough for guests
02 -
- Salmon continues cooking after leaving the oven so remove when slightly underdone
- A sharp knife should slide through easily with no resistance when done
- Skin peels off effortlessly after baking if you prefer serving without it
03 -
- Room temperature salmon cooks more evenly than cold from the fridge
- Use a paper towel to pat the fish completely dry before seasoning
- The skin releases easily when fully cooked so wait until the end to remove it