Maple Mustard Salmon Baked in Foil - Easy 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.

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.

Cooking salmon in foil just makes things easier. It creates a buttery, fresh, evenly cooked fish without having to be as precise. Moisture is preserved while flavor is exploded! Your fish won't have any char marks either!

This grilled-salmon-in-foil method is dependable and stress-free because there's no flipping required, and the foil keeps the fish skin from sticking to your grill grates and causing a mess that can also result in the loss of your precious protein.

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.

To check the color of the salmon, you can use a fork to gently pull apart the flesh in the thickest part of the fillet or steak. The flesh should be opaque, flaky, and moist. If it is still translucent, it needs more time to cook. If it is dry or appears white, it may be overcooked.

No radiation needed here. The easiest way to see if your salmon has finished cooking is to gently press down on the top of the fillet with a fork or your finger. If the flesh of the salmon flakes—meaning, it separates easily along the white lines that run across the fillet (strips of fish fat)—it's finished cooking.

If you enjoy a crispy exterior, then pan seared salmon is the way to go. Baking salmon is a great option for a larger piece of fish (try this Baked Salmon in Foil for an easy technique).

Brush one side with olive oil or melted butter. This will help prevent sticking. Place your salmon fillet on one side of the foil. Brush with olive oil or melted butter.

You rinse the salmon.

The USDA cautions: “do not rinse raw fish, seafood, meat, and poultry. Bacteria in these raw juices can splash and spread to other foods and surfaces. Cooking foods thoroughly will kill harmful bacteria.”

Do you have to do anything to salmon before cooking? ›

Remove any bones with fish tweezers. Pat the skin side of the fish dry with a paper towel. Season the skin with sea salt to add crispiness. Place a fry pan on medium-high heat and add olive oil for cooking.

Salmon cooked en papillote, which means wrapped in a packet of parchment (or foil), is a dramatic way to procure perfectly cooked salmon, but it isn't difficult.

Drizzle the salmon with the oil, then add seasonings of choice. Bake salmon at 400 degrees F for 11 to 14 minutes for 6-ounce fillets or 15 to 18 minutes for a single side, until it registers 135 degrees F on an instant read thermometer inserted at the thickest part of the salmon.

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.

Cover the pan and let the fish cook for 20 to 30 minutes. The salmon should be medium-rare.

Arrange the salmon fillets on the baking dish, skin side down. If using, arrange the lemon slices around the fish. Lightly brush the lemon slices with olive oil. Bake the salmon, uncovered, until it's opaque and cooked through and its internal temperature reaches 145°F.