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Oven Roasted Salmon

Oven Roasted Salmon with garlic butter, lemon, and herbs comes out tender and flaky in under 30 minutes. Roasting at 400°F gives a moist center, with an optional 1–2 minute broil for a light golden finish.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 16 minutes
Total Time 26 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 540
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

salmon fillet
  • 2 lb salmon fillet
olive oil
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
unsalted butter
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
garlic
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
lemon zest
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
paprika
  • 1 tsp paprika
kosher salt
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
black pepper
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
lemon slices
  • 1 Lemon slices
fresh parsley
  • 0.25 cup Fresh parsley, chopped
fresh dill (optional)
  • 1 tbsp Fresh dill (optional)

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Prep and season the salmon
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C). Set a rack in the middle position so the salmon roasts evenly.
  2. Line a baking sheet or baking dish with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and helps with easy cleanup.
  3. Pat the salmon dry with paper towels. Dry surface helps the seasoning and butter mixture cling better.
  4. Whisk together the olive oil, melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until the garlic and spices are evenly distributed.
  5. Brush the mixture evenly over the salmon. Make sure the top is fully coated, especially near the edges.
  6. Arrange lemon slices over the top. Place them in a single layer for bright flavor as they roast.
Roast, optionally broil, and finish
  1. Roast for 12–16 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillet. The salmon is ready when it flakes easily and looks opaque through the center.
  2. Broil for 1–2 minutes for a lightly golden finish if desired. Watch closely so the top doesn’t darken too much.
  3. Garnish with chopped parsley and fresh dill. Serve immediately while the salmon is hot and flaky.

Notes

For the cleanest flakes, let the salmon rest on the sheet for 2–3 minutes after roasting, then garnish and serve. Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 2 days (freeze up to 2 months for best quality). Dietary swap: for dairy-free, replace the butter with an equal amount of olive oil or a plant-based vegan butter substitute.