This simple yet delicious salmon recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or an elegant meal to impress your guests. The combination of olive oil, salt, black pepper, and a touch of lemon juice enhances the natural flavors of the salmon, making it a delightful dish that is both healthy and flavorful.
Most of the ingredients in this recipe are common pantry staples, but if you don't usually cook with salmon, you may need to visit the seafood section of your supermarket. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is recommended for the best flavor, so be sure to pick up a couple of fresh lemons if you don't have them at home.

Ingredients For Salmon Recipe
Salmon: A rich, flavorful fish that is high in omega-3 fatty acids and protein.
Olive oil: A healthy fat that helps to keep the salmon moist and adds a subtle flavor.
Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the salmon.
Black pepper: Adds a mild heat and depth of flavor to the dish.
Lemon juice: Provides a fresh, tangy contrast to the rich salmon.
Technique Tip for Cooking Salmon
To ensure your salmon fillets are perfectly cooked, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The ideal temperature for cooked salmon is 145°F (63°C). This will help you avoid overcooking, which can make the fish dry. Additionally, let the salmon rest for a few minutes after removing it from the oven to allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more flavorful and moist fillet.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
salmon - Substitute with trout: Trout has a similar texture and flavor profile to salmon, making it a great alternative.
salmon - Substitute with arctic char: Arctic char is closely related to salmon and has a comparable taste and texture.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a mild flavor, similar to olive oil.
olive oil - Substitute with grapeseed oil: Grapeseed oil is neutral in flavor and has a high smoke point, making it a good alternative to olive oil.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, though it will also add a bit of liquid to the dish.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used in the same quantity and provides a slightly different mineral taste.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a similar heat but a slightly different flavor profile, which can be a subtle change.
black pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper will add more heat and a different flavor, so use it sparingly.
lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice has a similar acidity and can provide a slightly different citrus flavor.
lemon juice - Substitute with white wine vinegar: White wine vinegar can provide the necessary acidity with a different but complementary flavor.
Alternative Recipes Similar to This
How to Store or Freeze Your Dish
Allow the salmon to cool completely at room temperature before storing. This prevents condensation from forming inside the storage container, which can make the fish soggy.
Use an airtight container or wrap the salmon fillets tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This helps to maintain the freshness and prevent any unwanted odors from seeping into the fish.
Store the salmon in the refrigerator if you plan to consume it within 3-4 days. Place the container on a shelf rather than the door to ensure a consistent temperature.
For longer storage, freeze the salmon. Place the wrapped fillets in a freezer-safe bag or container, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
Label the container with the date of freezing to keep track of its freshness. Frozen salmon can be stored for up to 2-3 months without significant loss of quality.
To thaw frozen salmon, transfer it to the refrigerator and let it thaw slowly overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain the texture and flavor of the fish.
If you're in a hurry, you can also thaw the salmon by placing it in a sealed plastic bag and submerging it in cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes until the fish is fully thawed.
Avoid refreezing salmon once it has been thawed, as this can negatively impact its texture and flavor.
When reheating stored salmon, do so gently to avoid drying it out. You can reheat it in the oven at a low temperature (around 275°F or 135°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through. Alternatively, you can use a microwave on a low setting, checking frequently to ensure it doesn't overcook.
Enhance the reheated salmon by adding a fresh drizzle of lemon juice or a sprinkle of fresh herbs to revive its flavors.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C). Place the leftover salmon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover it loosely with aluminum foil to retain moisture. Heat for about 15 minutes, or until the salmon is warmed through. This method helps maintain the salmon's flaky texture.
Stovetop Method: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Add a small amount of olive oil or butter to the pan. Place the salmon fillets in the skillet and cover with a lid. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the salmon is warmed through. This method keeps the salmon moist and flavorful.
Microwave Method: Place the salmon on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to prevent drying out. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking every 30 seconds, until the salmon is heated through. Be cautious with this method as it can easily overcook the salmon.
Steaming Method: Fill a pot with a small amount of water and bring it to a simmer. Place the salmon on a steaming rack or in a steamer basket above the water. Cover and steam for about 5-7 minutes, or until the salmon is heated through. This gentle method helps retain the salmon's moisture and delicate flavor.
Sous Vide Method: Preheat your sous vide machine to 130°F (54°C). Place the salmon in a vacuum-sealed bag or a resealable plastic bag using the water displacement method. Submerge the bag in the water bath and heat for about 20 minutes. This method ensures the salmon is evenly reheated without overcooking.
Essential Tools for Cooking Salmon
Oven: Used to bake the salmon fillets at the required temperature of 400°F (200°C).
Baking sheet: Provides a flat surface to place the salmon fillets for baking.
Parchment paper: Lines the baking sheet to prevent the salmon from sticking and makes for easier cleanup.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure out the olive oil, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice accurately.
Basting brush: Helps to evenly distribute the olive oil over the salmon fillets.
Oven mitts: Protects your hands when placing the baking sheet in and taking it out of the hot oven.
Tongs: Useful for handling the hot salmon fillets once they are cooked.
Juicer: Extracts fresh lemon juice to drizzle over the salmon before serving.
Serving platter: A dish to present the cooked salmon fillets attractively.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Preheat the oven early: Start preheating your oven while you prepare the salmon fillets to save time.
Use parchment paper: Lining your baking sheet with parchment paper makes cleanup faster and easier.
Measure ingredients beforehand: Have your olive oil, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice ready to go before you start cooking.
Batch seasoning: Season all the salmon fillets at once to streamline the process.
Check doneness early: Start checking the salmon at the 15-minute mark to avoid overcooking and save time.

Salmon Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 fillets Salmon about 6 oz each
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice freshly squeezed
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place the salmon fillets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Drizzle olive oil over the salmon fillets and rub it in evenly.
- Season the salmon with salt and black pepper.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through.
- Remove from the oven and drizzle with fresh lemon juice before serving.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
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