Baked Pesto Salmon Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Should salmon be covered or uncovered when baking? ›

Baked salmon is best when cooked at 425°F in the oven.

Even thicker fillets don't take long. We recommend baking the salmon uncovered. Simply rub the fillets with a little oil, sprinkle them with salt and pepper, then place them in the roasting pan skin-side down before popping them in the oven.

Roasting salmon fillets in the oven gives you beautiful, succulent fish that doesn't require constant attention. This method, which we recommend if you're cooking four or fewer fillets, has you sear the fish in a pan on the stovetop first, which crisps the skin delectably.

But in general, when cooking fillets, at 425°F, salmon will be done in 7 to 9 minutes, and if you want to cook it a little slower, at 350°F, salmon will be done in 15 to 20 minutes.

Wrap your salmon in a parchment packet with aromatics, citrus, veggies, and a drizzle of olive oil. The steam trapped in the packet will infuse the fish with flavor and cook it gently, making it tender and juicy. Bonus: The parchment packets only take about 15 minutes at 425°F and the cleanup is minimal.

What's the Best Temperature for Baking Salmon? If baking individual salmon fillet portions, a higher temperature of 400 to 425 degrees F is best.

The foil helps cook the fish faster and just all around better. Another reason is that it's a healthy way to cook fish. Yes, salmon is already a very healthy fish. But if you cook it in foil, you don't have to use a lot of oil or butter to cook it.

No, you are not supposed to wash salmon fillets before cooking them. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) advises against washing raw fish, seafood, meat, and poultry, which can spread bacteria to other foods and surfaces. The only effective way to get rid of bacteria is to cook it.

Salmon does not need much seasoning to be flavorful. You can season it with just salt and black pepper or with a combination of lemon juice, fresh herbs, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, butter, minced garlic, and any other flavors you desire. 3. Dry the salmon to ensure crispy skin.

Internal temperature: Use an instant-read meat thermometer; the salmon should register 145°F (63°C) at its thickest part. Flakiness: When gently pressed with a fork, the fish should easily flake apart. Avoid overcooking, as it can dry out the salmon. Cook with the skin side down for best results.

What is the best temperature to bake salmon? ›

What is the best temperature to bake salmon? 400°F (205°C) is ideal as it allows the fish to gain colour and the skin to become crispy. If you prefer a milder method, you can bake it at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes or until done. The salmon baked at 425°F (215°C) produces tender, creamy fillets that cook quickly.

Olive oil, butter, or even a sauce can serve as a protective barrier between the salmon and the heat, allowing it to cook without losing too much moisture.

At 400°F (C), a piece of salmon takes about 10-15 minutes to bake, or until the temperature reaches 135 degrees at its thickest, most internal part. At 425°F (215°C), you'll want to aim for four to six minutes per half-inch of thickness for the most tender, buttery fillets possible.

Baking in foil

Lots of people prefer to bake their fish by wrapping it in foil. This method is very efficient, as it cuts down on oven and utensil cleaning time. By wrapping the fish in a protective covering, it has a similar effect to steaming, as moisture is sealed within the foil rather than escaping into the oven.

Salmon fillets are best cooked starting with the skin-side down. This prevents over-browning the meat, which can make it dry and pretty unappealing to look at on the plate. "When pan-frying or grilling, cook salmon fillets skin-side down for 5-7 minutes, flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes," says Norton.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Season salmon with salt and pepper. Place salmon, skin side down, on a non-stick baking sheet or in a non-stick pan with an oven-proof handle. Bake until salmon is cooked through, about 12 to 15 minutes.