Recipe Background
Oven-Baked Salmon offers rich, savory notes with a delightful buttery finish.
Baking salmon in the oven promises a delightful balance of flavors and aromas. The earthy notes of garlic mingle with the sweet hint of brown sugar, creating a savory melody that envelops your senses. As the salmon cooks, its natural oils blend with melted butter, ensuring each bite is juicy and rich, with a satisfyingly crisp layer on top from the baked spice mix.
Lining the baking sheet with foil not only makes cleanup effortless but helps capture the buttery essence that seeps from the fish. To enhance the experience, ensure the butter and garlic thoroughly coat the salmon, allowing the spices to adhere and penetrate deeper during cooking. This cooking method ensures the fish is tantalizingly tender, revealing its perfectly flaky layers with just a nudge from your fork.
Sharing this dish with family or friends brings its own rewards, as the vibrant color and inviting aroma fill the room. Seating around the table, you can almost hear the gentle crackle of spices as the salmon is served. It's a dish that invites conversation—about favorite flavors and the joy of uncomplicated, flavorful cooking.
Ingredients
- 1 (2-pound) whole salmon skin-on
- 3 tablespoons butter melted
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
- Place the salmon, skin-side down, on the prepared baking sheet.
- Crimp the edges of the foil around the salmon to make what appears like a boat to catch the juices when baking.
- In a small bowl, combine the melted butter and the minced garlic.
- Brush 1/2 of the garlic-butter over the salmon.
- In another small bowl, combine the brown sugar, the Italian seasoning, the paprika, the garlic powder, and the salt.
- Evenly sprinkle the spice mixture over the salmon.
- Drizzle the coated salmon with the remaining garlic-butter.
- Bake the coated salmon until it reaches your preferred doneness, between 125-145 degrees F, about 15-22 minutes. If desired, carefully baste the salmon with the juices halfway through baking.
- Allow the cooked salmon to rest for 5 minutes after baking.
- Serve.
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