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This single serving Baked Salmon is easy, flavorful, and perfect for a simple meal. Baking the salmon fillet in foil locks in moisture, keeping it tender and flaky. Seasoned with butter, spices, and lemon, it bakes in under 20 minutes with minimal cleanup—great for a quick and delicious dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: The foil locks in moisture, ensuring tender, perfectly cooked salmon.
- Fast & Simple: A few minutes of prep and under 20 minutes in the oven.
- Full of Flavor: The salmon soaks up the seasonings as it bakes.
- Easy Cleanup: No dishes to wash—just discard the foil.
I love baking salmon fillets in foil or parchment paper because it’s quick, flavorful, and requires minimal cleanup. The salmon stays tender and juicy as it bakes in its own steam, absorbing the flavors of the seasonings. It’s easy to customize with different herbs or vegetables, and if you’re cooking for two, the recipe doubles effortlessly.
Enjoy with Cucumber Salsa, Roasted Carrots, Rice Pilaf, or Pan Fried Okra.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this single serving baked salmon recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Salmon Fillet: I use one 6-ounce salmon fillet and bake the salmon in foil or parchment paper which locks in moisture and keeps it tender and flavorful.
- Butter: Adds rich flavor to the salmon.
- Garlic Powder: Provides a mild garlic taste without overpowering the fish.
- Seasoning: I love using tarragon which adds a light, slightly sweet flavor, but you can use dill, thyme, smoked paprika, or lemon pepper for a different twist. Use the seasonings you enjoy most.
- Salt: Enhances flavor and balances the dish.
- Lemon: Brightens the dish.
Recipe Variations
Switch up the flavors with these easy variations:
- Asian-Inspired: Add a splash of soy sauce, freshly grated ginger, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds before baking.
- Mediterranean: Top with sliced olives, capers, and a pinch of oregano.
- Sweet and Tangy: Brush with a mix of honey and Dijon mustard.
- Fresh Herb Blend: Use a mix of fresh dill, parsley, and chives.
- Citrus Addition: Layer thin orange slices on top and add a splash of orange juice.
How To Bake Salmon In Foil
- Prepare the Foil: Lightly coat the center of a sheet of foil (or use parchment paper) with cooking spray or a small drizzle of olive oil. Place the salmon fillet in the middle.
- Season the Salmon: Soften 1 tablespoon of butter and mix in garlic powder, dried tarragon (or your preferred seasoning), and a pinch of salt. Spread the mixture over the salmon.
- Add Lemon: Place a lemon slice on top.
- Seal and Bake: Cover with another sheet of foil, crimping the edges to seal. Place on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes, until the salmon is tender and flakes easily with a fork.
Expert Tips
- Use a Sheet Pan: Always place the foil packet on a baking sheet for easy handling.
- Sealing the Foil Packet: Fold the sides together and pinch to seal, leaving a little space for steam to circulate.
- Check for Doneness: Thicker fillets take longer. Open the foil and check at 15 minutes—if it needs more time, reseal and bake a little longer.
- Let It Rest: If the salmon is almost done, remove it from the oven and let it rest. It will finish cooking from the residual heat.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork. For accuracy, use an instant-read thermometer. The FDA recommends a minimum internal temperature of 145°F at the thickest part but I prefer cooking mine to 135°F.
Yes! Thinly sliced zucchini, bell peppers, asparagus, or cherry tomatoes cook well alongside the salmon.
Yes, but thaw it first for even cooking. Pat it dry before seasoning to prevent excess moisture in the foil packet.
Yes, double the ingredients to make two servings.
Store cooked salmon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 300°F for about 10 minutes or in the microwave in short intervals.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
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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 For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- cooking spray or olive oil
- 1 (6 ounce) salmon fillet
- 1 tablespoon salted butter -softened
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried tarragon
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1-2 lemon slices
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 375°F.
- Prepare the Foil: Lightly coat the center of a sheet of foil with cooking spray or a drizzle of olive oil. Place the salmon fillet in the middle.
- Make the Butter Mixture: Soften 1 tablespoon of butter and mix in garlic powder, dried tarragon, and salt.
- Season the Salmon: Spread the butter mixture evenly over the top of the salmon
- Add Lemon: Place the lemon slices on top.
- Seal and Bake: Cover with another sheet of foil, crimping the edges to seal. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, until the salmon is tender and flakes easily with a fork.
Notes
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- Use a Sheet Pan: Always place the foil packet on a baking sheet for easy handling.
-
- Sealing the Foil Packet: Fold the sides together and pinch to seal, leaving a little space for steam to circulate.
-
- Check for Doneness: Thicker fillets take longer. Open the foil and check at 15 minutes—if it needs more time, reseal and bake a little longer.
-
- Let It Rest: If the salmon is almost done, remove it from the oven and let it rest. It will finish cooking from the residual heat.
Nutrition
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.
I’m now cooking for one as my husband is in a memory care facility. I tried this recipe and it was delicious!! I rounded out my meal with broccoli and au gratin potaoes topped off with a single serve key lime pie.
Thank you so much for sharing! I’m so glad you enjoyed the salmon recipe. Your meal sounds wonderful – I love the idea of pairing it with broccoli and au gratin potatoes, and the key lime pie is a perfect finish!
This is a superb dish. Quick and easy to cook and the flavour is wonderful.
28/02/2023 made this for tea and it was delicious i added extra chilli flakes as me n my son like them I served it with a salsa salad made up of mango , red pepper, red onion, avocado & a cilantro, orange juice olive oil , lime juice dressing seasoned with cracked black pepper & salt plus 1/2 teaspoon of cumin
Absolutely gorgeous and a nice light meal. Thank you for sharing your salmon recipe
I love salmon! How would I alter this recipe to cook from frozen, or should I simply thaw it first?
Hi Alisa, you can bake frozen salmon but I do it a bit differently. First, bake the salmon covered at 425°F for 8 to 10 minutes. At this point, a knife should be able to glide through the fish, though you may notice a very small amount of ice. These first 8 minutes of covered cooking time steams the salmon as moisture releases from the frozen piece of fish and is trapped by the foil. This helps tenderize the salmon. After 8 minutes, carefully remove the foil from the salmon and return it to the hot oven and bake for an additional 8 to 10 minutes.
This has become my “go to” method for salmon. Just so simple to do and it always works.
Very easy and delicious!
will I be able to use a white fish instead of slmon
Yes, just be sure to cook the fish until its flesh is opaque and it flakes easily.
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!
Aside from tarragon, what other herbs can i use? Thanks so much.
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.
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!