Why eat salmon? Let me count the ways. It's rich in omega-3s, it's good for your heart, it boosts a sluggish brain, it's an anti-inflammatory, and it's good for the waistline. Oh, and it tastes amazing.
While grilling and searing this superfood are both tasty methods of prepping, baking is the best. When you bake salmon, it allows all your yummy toppings and marinades to infuse the delicate, flaky flesh with layers of flavor. It also helps to prevent the salmon fillet from being destroyed due to sticking to the grill or pan while you're trying to flip it. Plus, with a baking pan lined in foil aluminum or parchment paper cleanup will be a piece of cake.
Need another reason to eat salmon? Here are 12 really, really good ones.
1. Baked Honey Cilantro Lime Salmon
Not a salmon expert? That's no problem with this foolproof 4-ingredient glaze. To start, you'll need to line the baking sheet in aluminum foil. Place a few lime slices down then gently lay on the fillet rubbed with kosher salt and black pepper.
Chop up some garlic cloves, add a touch of honey, some lime juice, and melted butter, then rub the glaze all over the filet until it's evenly coated. After baking in the oven, you'll be greeted with a flaky, flavorful salmon fillet the whole family will enjoy. Get the recipe here.
2. Garlic Butter Salmon
When you get a quality fillet of salmon, there's no need to mask the flavor. The key here is to enhance it with a little bit of butter, a hint of fresh lemon juice, a handful of dried or fresh herbs, and some minced garlic. Pair with this simple Herb Roasted Potato and Asparagus for the ultimate meal.
Hear that? That's dinner calling. Get the recipe here.
3. Cajun Salmon
Now this is cajun done right. Salmon is rubbed in cajun seasoning and a few other spices, then gets a drizzle of lemon juice and lemon zest. After about 10 minutes cook time, it's garnished with fresh parsley. This is one easy baked salmon recipe to have on hand for a quick fix. Get the recipe here.
4. Honey Sriracha Salmon
Any Sriracha lovers in the crowd? Get a load of this recipe. Just the right balance of spicy, smoky, and sweet, salmon is smeared in a Sriracha glaze then baked to perfection in the oven.
Top it with cilantro and serve it on a bed of couscous or rice. Or simply devour it as is because with a recipe like this you don't need any other fillers. Get the recipe here.
5. Baked Thai Pineapple Salmon
In the mood for ethnic cuisine tonight? Look no further than this sweet, spicy Thai Pineapple Salmon. Place salmon on top of some slices of pineapple, then coat it in a hoisin, rice vinegar, and sweet chili sauce. With only few minutes of prep time and a 25 minute bake time, dinner will be ready in no time.
As a bonus, cleanup is made even easier by an aluminum foil rimmed baking sheet. Skip the takeout, have Thai Pineapple Salmon tonight. Get the recipe here.
6. Sheet Pan Mustard Maple Salmon with Potatoes and Asparagus
This recipe is excellent for when you want the oven to do practically all the work for you. Marinate the salmon in some apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and Dijon mustard.
Chop up some fingerling potatoes and add it to the baking sheet with some stalks of asparagus, then place your salmon portions on top once it's done marinating. After about 12 minutes, the salmon should be done and dinner is served. Get the recipe here.
7. Sheet Pan Teriyaki Salmon
Another excellent one pan meal is this Teriyaki Salmon recipe. While the recipe offers a homemade teriyaki sauce, you can make life easier and opt for store-bought if you don't have time. Then all you need to do is toss your veggies of choice in olive oil, season the salmon fillet with salt and pepper, then drizzle on the teriyaki and bake. This dish is best enjoyed with a bed of white rice. Get the recipe here.
Chef's Note: Do the meal prep ahead of time and all you need to do is place and bake.
8. Firecracker Salmon
If you're wondering what Firecracker Salmon is let me sum it up in one word: fiery. Firecracker Salmon brings on the heat with a Sriracha and red pepper flake marinade, which is nicely balanced out by the sweetness of brown sugar. If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen and leave this for us spicy food loving fiends. Get the recipe here.
9. Oven Baked Salmon with Blackberry Barbecue Sauce
For all those homecooks looking to show off their culinary skills, have a go at this recipe. A homemade blackberry barbecue sauce is slathered on top of a gorgeous salmon filet for an elegant, satiating meal that gives baked salmon an unique twist. This recipe is perfect for holidays, dinner parties, or dining in date nights with your better half. Get the recipe here.
10. Pecan Crusted Salmon
Or if you want to pretend you have mastered the art of cooking go with this incredibly simple recipe. A perfectly cooked salmon coated in a pecan, parsley, sea salt, and pepper crust is enough to fool any eater into thinking you have exceptional culinary skills in the kitchen. Get the recipe here.
11. Basil & Lemon Baked Salmon
If you want an easy main dish that is as fresh as the salmon itself then look no further. Low carb, Paleo, and gluten-free, this recipe calls for fresh basil, lemon slices, garlic, and butter.
For those that are looking to make it even healthier, sub out the butter for a drizzle of olive oil. This recipe is simple, tasty, and made for an easy weeknight dinner. Get the recipe here.
12. Sheet Pan Chili Lime Salmon
This is the recipe that is about to become your new favorite way to cook salmon. Bursting with flavor, salmon is coated in a chili flake, honey, cumin, lime juice, parsley, and olive oil sauce, and accompanied by a trio of juicy roasted bell peppers and onion.
This is a perfect recipe for salmon fajitas, tacos, or an easy weeknight dinner. Go on and grab a fork, I know your mouth is watering. Get the recipe here.
This post was originally published on April 25, 2018.
