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Oven Baked Salmon – Garlic Butter Salmon with Brown Sugar Spice

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Oven Baked Salmon is brushed with garlic butter and topped with a flavorful brown sugar and spice mixture. This easy salmon recipe bakes in the oven until tender and flaky, making it a delicious main course for a weeknight dinner or a family meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (2-pound) whole salmon fillet, skin-on preferred
  • 3 tablespoons melted butter or olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon ground paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • Ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Place a large piece of aluminum foil on a rimmed baking sheet. Set the salmon fillet on top, skin-side down and pink side up. Crimp the foil edges around the salmon to create a small boat.
  2. Prepare the garlic butter: Combine the melted butter and minced garlic. Brush half of the mixture over the salmon.
  3. Season: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the salmon. Drizzle with the remaining garlic butter.
  4. Bake: Bake for 15–22 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon and your preferred doneness. If desired, baste the salmon with the pan juices halfway through baking.
  5. Rest and serve: Remove the salmon from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Salmon: A whole, skin-on side of salmon is less likely to overcook than individual fillets. You can use 4 cut fillets instead and bake them for 10–15 minutes, checking for doneness.
  • Garlic substitute: If fresh garlic is unavailable, use 1 additional teaspoon of dried garlic powder in place of the minced garlic.
  • Italian seasoning: You can omit it or replace it with another dried herb, such as oregano or rosemary.
  • Garlic butter tip: Stir the minced garlic into the hot, freshly melted butter. Let it cool for about 5 minutes so it thickens slightly and is easier to brush onto the salmon.
  • Using foil: Foil helps make cleanup easier and keeps the garlic butter and cooking juices around the fish.
  • Cooking temperature: The recipe source notes that salmon may reach about 125°F after 15 minutes, 140°F after 20 minutes, and 145°F after 22 minutes. Actual cooking time varies with thickness and oven performance.
  • Food safety: The USDA recommends cooking fish to an internal temperature of 145°F. Check the thickest part with a food thermometer.
  • Nutrition: Values are estimates per serving.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://us.cookingtastes.com/oven-baked-salmon-garlic-butter-salmon-with-brown-sugar-spice/