Description
This Baked Lemon Pepper Salmon recipe offers a simple yet flavorful way to enjoy perfectly cooked salmon with a zesty lemon and pepper seasoning. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s ideal for a quick, healthy weeknight dinner that delivers moist, flaky fish infused with bright citrus and aromatic herbs.
Ingredients
Salmon
- 4 8-ounce salmon filets
Seasoning & Marinade
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Optional: lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400˚F (205˚C). Lightly grease a large sheet pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking, especially if your pan is not nonstick.
- Prepare Olive Oil Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice until fully emulsified to create a flavorful brush-on marinade for the salmon.
- Season the Salmon: Place the salmon filets skin side down on the prepared baking sheet. Brush each filet evenly with the olive oil and lemon juice mixture. Sprinkle the chopped parsley over the top, then generously season each piece with lemon pepper seasoning and salt to taste, ensuring an even coating of flavors.
- Bake the Salmon: Bake the salmon in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. Check for doneness by inserting a thermometer into the thickest part of the filet; it should read between 135-140˚F to account for carryover cooking (finished temperature: 145˚F).
- Serve and Garnish: Optionally, garnish the baked salmon with additional chopped parsley and serve with fresh lemon wedges for an extra burst of citrus flavor.
Notes
- If you do not have fresh parsley, dried parsley can be used, but use less as it is more concentrated in flavor.
- Using parchment paper helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier, especially if your pan is not nonstick.
- Be careful not to overcook the salmon to keep it moist and tender; removing it at 135-140˚F allows it to finish cooking with residual heat.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes along with the lemon pepper seasoning.
- Salmon skin can be left on or removed depending on preference; cooking skin side down helps keep the fish moist.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
