Baked Salmon with Lemon Pepper (Print View)

Moist, flaky salmon fillets with a zesty lemon pepper crust. Simple, healthy, and ready in under 30 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Seafood

01 - 4 salmon fillets, 6 oz each, skin-on or skinless

→ Seasonings

02 - 1.5 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
03 - 1 teaspoon sea salt
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 0.5 teaspoon onion powder

→ Citrus

06 - 1 large lemon, zested and juiced with slices reserved for garnish

→ Fats and Oils

07 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

→ Herbs

08 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly brush with oil.
02 - Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Arrange skin-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
03 - Drizzle olive oil evenly across all salmon fillets.
04 - Combine lemon zest, black pepper, sea salt, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small bowl.
05 - Distribute seasoning mixture evenly over each fillet.
06 - Drizzle fresh lemon juice over each fillet.
07 - Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until salmon flakes easily with a fork and center is opaque.
08 - Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices before serving.

# Insider Tips:

01 -
  • The high heat method creates this incredible contrast between the seasoned crust and the meltingly tender center that even seafood skeptics have complimented at my table.
  • You can prep everything in under 10 minutes, making it perfect for those evenings when youre exhausted but still want something that feels special.
02 -
  • I once overcooked this salmon by just 3 minutes and it went from silky perfection to disappointingly dry, so err on the side of less time if youre uncertain.
  • The salmon continues cooking slightly after removal from the oven, which is why that slight translucence at its center when you pull it out is actually perfect timing.
03 -
  • If your salmon has pin bones, remove them before cooking by running your fingers along the flesh and using tweezers to pull out any you find, which prevents that awkward moment of fishing them out at the dinner table.
  • Always bring salmon to room temperature for about 15 minutes before baking, as it cooks more evenly and stays juicier than when going straight from refrigerator to oven.

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