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Oven Roasted Salmon

Oven roasted salmon with garlic-lemon butter delivers flaky, tender fillets in under 30 minutes. Roast at 400°F (205°C) until it flakes easily, then broil briefly for a lightly golden top.
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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
melted butter
  • 3 tbsp melted butter
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
salt
  • 1 tsp salt
black pepper
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
lemon slices
  • 1 Lemon slices
fresh parsley
  • 1 Fresh parsley, chopped
fresh dill (optional)
  • 0.5 Fresh dill (optional)

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Prep and season
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C). This hot oven helps the salmon roast quickly and stay flaky.
  2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.
  3. Pat the salmon dry with paper towels. Dry surface helps the seasoning cling and browns evenly.
  4. Whisk together olive oil, melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and fragrant.
  5. Brush the mixture generously over the salmon. Coat the top so each bite has garlic-lemon flavor.
  6. Arrange lemon slices over the top. The lemon steams lightly as it roasts for extra brightness.
Roast and finish
  1. Roast for 12–16 minutes, depending on thickness, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork. Keep it uncovered so the surface stays nicely roasted.
  2. Broil for 1–2 minutes if a lightly golden top is desired. Watch closely so the edges don’t over-brown.
  3. Garnish with parsley and fresh dill. The herbs add fresh color and a clean finish.
  4. Serve immediately with roasted vegetables, rice, or potatoes. Enjoy while the salmon is hot and tender.

Notes

For best doneness, start checking at 12 minutes—the timing depends on thickness. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container up to 2 days; reheat gently (microwave at 50% power) to avoid drying. Freezing isn’t recommended for the best texture. For a lighter option, replace half the butter with olive oil while keeping the same roast time.