This baked salmon recipe features a fillet of salmon baked in foil which allows for a flavorful meal with very little cleanup. This baking method traps the moisture inside to prevent the salmon from drying out. The salmon is topped with butter, spices, and lemon and bakes in minutes. An easy single serving salmon recipe.
I love a really great salmon recipe and this simple salmon baked in foil does not disappoint.
Why This Recipe Works
- Cooking fish this way is so easy! This easy baked salmon takes minutes to prep and cooks in less than 30 minutes.
- Baking salmon in foil traps in the juices and gently steams the fish.
- The flavors are spectacular in this easy recipe and because the salmon is cooked in a foil packet, there's hardly any mess to clean up.
- If you're not comfortable with baking foods in foil, you can still use this recipe by making baked salmon in parchment paper instead.
- This is such a versatile recipe, you can infuse your salmon with other ingredients such as orange slices or other favorite spices.
RELATED: Single Serving Comfort Food Recipes
Ingredients
See recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- salmon fillet
- butter
- garlic powder
- dried tarragon (or another favorite spice)
- red pepper flakes (optional)
- salt
- lemon
Pro Tip: Feel free to use seasonings you love. Sometimes, I season my salmon very simply with just salt and black pepper. You can also use a store-bought spice rub or blend. A few of my favorite brands include McCormick Lemon Pepper with Garlic Salt and Lawry's Seasoned Salt.
How To Cook Salmon
- Coat the center of a sheet of foil with cooking spray or a small amount of olive oil. Place the salmon in the center of the foil.
- Soften a tablespoon of butter and mix in garlic powder, dried tarragon, a pinch of red pepper flakes, and salt.
- Add a slice of lemon to the top of the salmon.
- Cover with another sheet of aluminum foil and pinch the edges together to seal tightly. Place on a baking sheet and bake in a 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) oven for 20-25 minutes.
Baking salmon in foil provides you with a delicious meal with little cleanup. This cooking technique keeps the moisture inside the foil which helps to keep the salmon tender, flaky, and perfectly cooked.
Expert Tips
- You can make baked salmon with the skin on or off.
- Bake the foil packet on a sheet pan.
- When forming the foil packet, bring the sides together and crimp them with your fingers to seal. Try not to seal the edges too close to the salmon, you want the salmon to have a little room to steam.
- You may have to adjust the cooking time based on the thickness of the salmon. Open the foil after about 18 minutes to see if the salmon is cooked through. If not, close the foil packet and bake until completely done.
- If your salmon is almost cooked through, but not cooked entirely, remove it from the oven and cover it back up with foil. Let it rest at room temperature for several minutes until done.
- Store cooked baked salmon in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days.
RELATED: 20 Single Serving Meatless Recipes
Frequently Asked Questions
* Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, and reduce risk factors for diseases.
* It is a great source of protein and contains minerals that protect bone health and improve thyroid function.
I cook baked salmon in foil all the time and sometimes I use just olive oil, salt, and pepper. The foil method is easy to adapt to different ingredients. Here are two of my favorites:
* Baked Salmon with Lemon and Butter: Sprinkle a pinch of salt over the salmon. Place a few slices of butter along the top of the salmon and add 2-3 slices of lemons.
* Baked Salmon With Pesto: Top the salmon fillet with pesto and bake.
Check for doneness by inserting the tip of a sharp knife into the thickest part of your baked salmon. You will know the salmon is done if it flakes easily with a fork but is very slightly translucent in the middle.
Another option is to use an instant read thermometer. Cook the fish until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
Salmon Recipes
If you're looking for other ways to cook salmon, here are a few of our favorite salmon recipes...
- Roasted Salmon With Maple and Mustard For One
- Smoked Salmon With Eggs and Pesto For One
- Broiled Salmon With Roasted Zucchini For One
- Roasted Salmon and Asparagus For One
What To Serve With Baked Salmon
You might like to consider adding any of these single serving side dishes to your salmon meal.
For more information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.
RELATED: 40 Easy Recipes For Busy College Students
If you’ve tried baked salmon in foil or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
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Baked Salmon In Foil
Equipment
- aluminum foil
- Baking sheet
Ingredients
- cooking spray
- 1 (6 ounce) salmon fillet
- 1 tablespoon salted butter , softened
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried tarragon
- pinch red pepper flakes (use a little less than ⅛ teaspoon)
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1-2 lemon slices
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Coat the center of a sheet of foil with cooking spray or a small amount of olive oil. Place the salmon in the center of the foil.
- Place the softened butter in a small bowl and add the garlic powder, tarragon, red pepper flakes and salt. Stir to blend.
- Spoon the butter mixture over the salmon and spread to cover the top of the fish.
- Top with the lemon slices.
- Cover with another sheet of aluminum foil and pinch the edges together to seal tightly. Place the salmon foil packet on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-23 minutes or until salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
Notes
- You can make baked salmon with the skin on or off.
- Bake the foil packet on a sheet pan.
- When forming the foil packet, bring the sides together and crimp them with your fingers to seal. Try not to seal the edges too close to the salmon, you want the salmon to have a little room to steam.
- You may have to adjust the cooking time based on the thickness of the salmon. Open the foil after about 18 minutes to see if the salmon is cooked through. If not, close the foil packet and bake until completely done.
- If your salmon is almost cooked through, but not cooked entirely, remove it from the oven and cover it back up with foil. Let it rest at room temperature for several minutes until done.
- Store cooked baked salmon in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days.
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Barbara Hannon says
will I be able to use a white fish instead of slmon
Joanie Zisk says
Yes, just be sure to cook the fish until its flesh is opaque and it flakes easily.
Christine says
Salmon is one of my favorite quick and easy meals for a weeknight dinner. Love the herb-y butter on this salmon and the foil cooking technique! The perfect dinner for one!
BEBE MENDOZA says
Aside from tarragon, what other herbs can i use? Thanks so much.
Joanie Zisk says
You might like to use Italian seasoning or dried basil. You could even omit the tarragon and not use anything other than the garlic powder, salt, butter, and lemon. The fish will still be wonderful.
Claire says
I am home alone at the moment as my hubby is out of town.
So this was perfect for me!!! (It will be perfect when he gets back too as he isn't a big fish fan!)
I made it last night and it was just delicious and so simple!