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–+ servings
Two perfectly cooked, blackened salmon fillets served on a white plate, representing great salmon recipes.

What I Cook When I Crave Salmon Recipes

This recipe provides a simple, flavorful way to prepare salmon fillets that appeals to busy families. I first introduced my children to salmon on a summer evening with a simple glaze and vegetables. They enjoyed it immediately, which started our family's regular rotation of salmon meals. This recipe is easy to make on busy weekdays and creates satisfying dinners.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 16 minutes
Total Time 21 minutes
Servings: 4 fillets
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 pounds Salmon fillets, wild caught if possible About 4 (6-ounce) fillets
  • Olive oil For brushing
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 0.5 tablespoon Brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon Onion powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon Dried thyme
  • 0.25 teaspoon Cumin

Equipment

  • Baking sheet
  • Aluminum foil or parchment paper
  • Small bowl

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Allow the salmon to reach room temperature or brine it before proceeding.
  2. Place a large sheet of aluminum foil or parchment paper on a baking sheet and brush it lightly with olive oil.
  3. Pat each piece of salmon dry and place it on the foil with the skin side down. Brush the tops with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt.
  4. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and cumin. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the salmon fillets.
  5. Bake the salmon for 10 to 16 minutes, depending on the thickness, until the fish is tender and pink in the center. The internal temperature should be between 125°F to 130°F. A 1-inch thick fillet cooks in about 15 minutes. If you want a crispy top, switch the oven to broil for about 2 minutes when the internal temperature reaches 115°F, near the end of the total cook time.

Notes

This recipe is naturally gluten-free. For best results, use wild-caught salmon when possible. If you are cooking for younger children, you can reduce the amount of smoked paprika or omit it entirely for a milder flavor profile.

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