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Get ready to boost your weeknight dinner game with this mouth-watering Lemon Pepper Salmon recipe! It’s baked in the oven, so you don’t have to babysit it, and it’s made with just four simple ingredients! My homemade lemon pepper seasoning adds a bright citrus flavor with a peppery kick that is just perfect for salmon! With super easy prep, this lemon pepper salmon goes from fridge to table in under 20 minutes. Let’s get cooking!
Table of Contents
- Why you’ll love this baked lemon pepper salmon recipe
- Ingredients to make baked salmon with lemon and pepper
- How to make LEMON PEPPER SALMON IN THE OVEN
- Tips for making the best lemon pepper salmon filets
- Popular substitutions & additions
- What to serve with baked lemon pepper salmon
- How to store & reheat baked salmon
- Frequently asked questions
- More Salmon recipes:
- Lemon Pepper Salmon Recipe
Baking salmon in the oven is an easy way to get perfectly cooked fish that is tender and flaky every time. The best part is that this cooking method, plus skin-on salmon, helps preserve the natural flavors and moisture of the fish, improving its already delicious taste.
Why you’ll love this baked lemon pepper salmon recipe
- Quick and easy to make. With only a few simple ingredients and easy steps, you can have this baked salmon ready in just 15 minutes.
- Healthy and full of nutritional benefits. Salmon has some great health benefits being low in saturated fats and full of protein, potassium, iron, and vitamins D and B12-to name a few.
- Pairs well with a variety of sides. Salmon is a versatile protein that can be served with so many different things – pasta, rice, roasted veggies, and even on top of salads. The bright citrus flavor goes along with pretty much anything!
Ingredients to make baked salmon with lemon and pepper
- Salmon: I use frozen wild-caught salmon, but fresh is, of course, a wonderful option. Choose skin-on when possible for a more flavorful and moist fish.
- Lemon pepper seasoning: I like to use homemade lemon pepper seasoning, but you can use store-bought if that’s what you have on hand.
- Lemon: Use fresh lemon juice rather than bottled for the best flavor. You can also add fresh lemon zest to enhance the lemony flavor.
- Oil: Choose a neutral oil such as olive oil or avocado oil.
How to make LEMON PEPPER SALMON IN THE OVEN
- Place the salmon in a baking dish with oil, lemon pepper seasoning, and lemon juice.
- Use your hands to spread the oil and seasoning evenly over the fillets.
- With the salmon skin side down, place the baking dish in the oven.
- Cook the fish to your desired doneness and serve immediately.
Tips for making the best lemon pepper salmon filets
- Remove extra moisture. To help the oil and lemon pepper seasoning stick to your salmon, pat the fillets dry with paper towels before seasoning them.
- Make your own lemon pepper seasoning. I recommend creating your own lemon pepper seasoning. It’s a breeze to make it – zest lemons and allow the mixture to dehydrate before blending with peppercorns. Otherwise, store-bought works well.
- Use similar-sized fillets. When choosing salmon fillets, opt for ones with a similar thickness as much as possible. This will ensure they cook more evenly, resulting in a better overall dish.
- Leave the skin on. You’ll get an extra layer of flavor and richness in your dish because the skin is where most of the fish’s fat is hiding! Plus, it’s like a built-in shield between the fish’s flesh and the baking pan, so you can avoid sticking and enjoy a perfect fillet every time.
Popular substitutions & additions
- Switch up the seasoning. The star of this recipe is the zesty lemon pepper seasoning, but feel free to customize and adjust the seasoning to make it just the way you want it!
- Add some heat. If you’re a fan of spicy flavors, consider adding a dash of red pepper flakes or cayenne to the mix. It’s a great way to give this recipe an extra kick
- Use a different type of fish. Halibut, tilapia, cod, or even mahi-mahi works well with lemon pepper seasoning and can take the place of the salmon.
What to serve with baked lemon pepper salmon
How to store & reheat baked salmon
Store oven-baked salmon in an airtight container in the fridge. To reheat, place the salmon in a baking dish and cover it with foil. Bake in a preheated 275°F oven for 15 minutes or until heated through. You can also reheat the salmon in on the stove by adding it to a non-stick pan with a little bit of water. Cover and heat until warmed through.
How long will salmon last in the fridge?
Leftover salmon fillets will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Can i freeze cooked salmon filets?
Absolutely! The quality is much better when freshly cooked, but you can freeze cooked salmon for up to two months, provided that it’s stored correctly in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. To enjoy it again, simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat it as desired.
Frequently asked questions
If you’re baking 6-ounce salmon fillets with the skin on, it should take around 10 minutes to bake them at 425°F.
If your salmon flakes with a fork, then it’s cooked! Although it may be overcooked at that point as well. The best way to tell if it’s cooked is to use a thermometer to check the internal temp. If it’s 135°F, then it’s done!
Yes! The skin is edible if you want to eat it. I do prefer eating crispy skin, and with this dish, it’s more to keep the moisture in, so it may not be the ideal texture.
Try this quick and easy baked lemon pepper salmon recipe for a tasty weeknight meal! It’s a family favorite and pairs perfectly with various sides like rice, pasta, or veggies and is a fantastic meal choice for those wanting a healthier entrée.
More Salmon recipes:
- Air Fried Salmon
- Grilled Pesto Salmon Pasta
- Citrus Salsa Salmon
- Butter Roasted Salmon
- Salmon Feta Bake
- Pan Fried Salmon
- Salmon Lettuce Wraps
- Baked Garlic Cilantro Salmon
- Blackened Salmon
- Grilled Salmon
If you try this feel good Lemon Pepper Salmon recipe or any other recipe on Feel Good Foodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below! It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. We would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots, share it on Instagram so we can repost on Stories!
Lemon Pepper Salmon
Ingredients
- 4 6-ounce salmon fillets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425˚F.
- Place the salmon, olive oil, lemon pepper seasoning and lemon juice in an oven-safe 8 x 11-inch baking dish and carefully toss the salmon with the seasoning mixture to combine.
- Flip the salmon skin-side down and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked to your desired doneness. Serve immediately with your favorite sides.
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
This is a super-easy, fairly self-explanatory recipe. It was nothing special, but was still decent. If I’m going to be completely honest: this wouldn’t be my first pick for a salmon recipe, but works just fine for a lazy dinner.
I appreciate your feedback, Brett! Have you tried my air fryer salmon?