Description
This Best Easy Healthy Baked Salmon recipe delivers perfectly tender, flaky salmon fillets infused with bright lemon, garlic, and herb flavors. With a quick prep and simple ingredients, it’s a nutritious, heart-healthy meal ready in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon
- 4 salmon fillets (about 6 ounces each)
Seasoning & Marinade
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper (or just a pinch if using finely ground)
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon Italian herb seasoning blend (or herbs de provence, or ¼ teaspoon each dried thyme, parsley, oregano, and basil)
- 1 medium lemon
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a large baking pan to prevent sticking. Arrange the salmon fillets spaced evenly on the baking sheet and season them generously with salt and pepper to enhance their natural flavors.
- Make Herb Mixture: In a small bowl, stir together olive oil, minced garlic, herb seasoning, and the juice from half of the lemon. This mixture will bring vibrant, aromatic flavors to the salmon.
- Coat Salmon: Spoon the herb and lemon mixture evenly over each salmon fillet. Be sure to rub it all over the top and sides so there are no dry spots, ensuring each bite is flavorful. Then, thinly slice the remaining half of the lemon and place a lemon slice on top of each fillet for an extra zesty finish.
- Bake Salmon: Place the baking pan in the oven and bake the salmon for 12-15 minutes. The salmon is done when it turns opaque and easily flakes apart with a fork. For a slightly caramelized top, you can switch the oven to broil for the last 1-2 minutes if desired, but watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the salmon from the oven and garnish with fresh thyme or parsley if you like. Serve immediately for a delicious and healthy meal.
Notes
- This is the very Best Easy Healthy Baked Salmon! Full of delicious lemon and garlic flavors, baked to flaky, tender perfection and on the table in just 30 minutes.
- Use fresh herbs or dried herb blends to vary the flavor profile according to your preference.
- Broiling briefly at the end can add a nice golden crust but is optional.
- Serve with steamed vegetables or a fresh salad for a complete low-carb meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salmon fillet (approximately 6 ounces)
- Calories: 306 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 366 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 94 mg
