Dijon Baked Salmon - The Best Baked Salmon Recipe | Downshiftology (2024)

Home Recipes Courses Dinner Dijon Baked Salmon

by Lisa Bryan

352 Comments

Updated May 21, 2023

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Dijon baked salmon is one of my all-time favorite easy salmon recipes. It’s incredibly flavorful, moist, flaky, and a healthy dinner recipe that’s made in under 30 minutes!

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You guys know I’m a huge fan of salmon for all of its health benefits. It’s a brain-boosting, immune-boosting, omega-3 powerhouse. And let’s be honest, it just tastes so darn good.

There are many ways you can prepare salmon, from frying, to sautéing, to smoking and broiling. But today I’m sharing with you an incredibly easy baked salmon recipe, and one that you’ll likely have on repeat because the flavor is off-the-charts…Dijon baked salmon.

The simple herbed dijon mustard spread is bright, tangy, and creamy, and keeps the salmon perfectly moist as it bakes. Trust me, you’re going to love it.

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Dijon Baked Salmon Ingredients

There’s just a handful of easy-to-find ingredients in this recipe. But when they work together, the result is one fabulous dish!

  • Salmon: You can use one large filet or individual filets, it’s up to you.
  • Parsley: Just a handful of fresh herbs adds an amazing punch of flavor.
  • Dijon Mustard: The distinctive flavor of Dijon is what makes this recipe so darn good. I don’t recommend yellow mustard as a substitute.
  • Lemon Juice: A little bit of lemon juice gives the Dijon spread zing.
  • Oil: Avocado oil or olive oil will work here.
  • Garlic: Garlic always adds a little savory, aromatic oomph.
  • Salt, And Pepper: Season to your liking.

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

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Which Type Of Salmon To Buy

I always recommend buying the highest quality of wild-caught salmon that your budget allows. I mention this in the video below and chat about why I love King Salmon, Sockeye Salmon and Coho Salmon. And why I always steer clear of Atlantic Salmon (hint: I’m no fan of pollutants, antibiotics and toxins in my fish).

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How to Make Dijon Baked Salmon In 3 Steps

  • Stir together the chopped parsley, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, avocado oil, garlic cloves, salt and pepper in a small mixing bowl.
  • Slather that Dijon mixture on top of the salmon.
  • Bake the salmon for 18-20 minutes in a 375 degree Fahrenheit oven.

A Few Extra Tips

  • Many people cover their salmon with parchment paper or aluminum foil to keep it moist when baking. But I promise, if you add this layer of Dijon to the top of your baked salmon, not only will it stay incredibly moist, it will be abundantly flavorful. No need to cover.
  • I slightly undercook my salmon just to ensure it stays moist, especially as it will continue to cook for several minutes after you’ve removed it from the oven.
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Ways To Serve Baked Salmon

Once you divide your salmon into pieces, there’s so many ways to serve it up! Round out a plate with your favorite veggies, make it a hearty salad, or add it to a grain bowl. Here’s a few ideas:

  • Serve it alongside veggies. Whip up a quick veggie such as garlic sautéed spinach, garlic ginger bok choy, or sautéed cabbage. And if you’re a fan of roasted veggies, roasted sweet potatoes, roasted broccoli, or roasted Brussels sprouts will make for a perfect pairing.
  • Flake it into a salad. Add it to a big bed of leafy greens, fresh cut veggies such as cucumber, red onion, tomatoes, radish, and a drizzle of lemon vinaigrette.
  • Add it to a buddha bowl. Start with your favorite grain, such as rice or quinoa. Then layer on fresh and roasted veggies, and lastly, top with your salmon piece.

For More Tasty Salmon Ideas

Make sure to check out my list of easy salmon recipes and these reader favorites:

  • Best Baked Salmon (so easy!)
  • Salmon Patties
  • Smoked Salmon Frittata
  • Salmon Avocado Salad
  • Grilled Salmon Steaks
  • Cedar Plank Salmon

If you make this Dijon baked salmon, let me know how it turned out! I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below.

Dijon Baked Salmon - The Best Baked Salmon Recipe | Downshiftology (7)

Dijon Baked Salmon

4.84 from 155 votes

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 20 minutes mins

Total: 25 minutes mins

Servings: 5 servings

Author: Lisa Bryan

Description

This Dijon baked salmon is incredibly flavorful, moist, and flaky, and a healthy dinner recipe that’s made in under 30 minutes. Watch the video below!

Video

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pounds salmon, King, Sockeye or Coho salmon
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • ¼ cup Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix together the mustard, parsley, lemon juice, oil, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.

    Dijon Baked Salmon - The Best Baked Salmon Recipe | Downshiftology (8)

  • Place the salmon on a parchment lined baking tray and generously coat the top of the salmon with the herbed mustard mix.

    Dijon Baked Salmon - The Best Baked Salmon Recipe | Downshiftology (9)

  • Bake the salmon for 18 to 20 minutes (depending on size and thickness), then slice it into individual portions and serve immediately.

    Dijon Baked Salmon - The Best Baked Salmon Recipe | Downshiftology (10)

Lisa’s Tips

  • You could easily make this recipe with 4-6 individual salmon fillets, rather than one large fillet.
  • If you’re following Whole30, I recommend this Dijon mustard which is Whole30 compliant. I also have many more Whole30 recipes in the recipe index.
  • And if you’re looking for some tasty meal prep recipes, this Dijon baked salmon is always tops on my list. I’ll gladly eat this salmon several days in a row! Make sure to watch my meal prep video for more weekly recipe ideas.

Nutrition

Calories: 249.7kcal | Carbohydrates: 1.9g | Protein: 30.5g | Fat: 13.4g | Saturated Fat: 1.7g | Cholesterol: 87.1mg | Sodium: 371mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 0.3g

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: baked salmon, dijon baked salmon, salmon recipes

©Downshiftology. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @downshiftology or tag #downshiftology!

Recipe originally posted February 2018, but updated to include new information.

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About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

Read More About Me

Dijon Baked Salmon - The Best Baked Salmon Recipe | Downshiftology (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.

Is it better to bake salmon at 350 or 400? ›

Is it better to bake salmon at 350 or 400? The best temperature might depend on your specific taste preference and how you want the texture of the salmon to be. For a moister, tenderer fish, go with 350°F. For a quicker cook and a bit of crispiness on the outside, 400°F could be better.

What temperature should salmon be cooked at in the oven? ›

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.

What is a good sauce to eat with salmon? ›

7 Easy Sauces for Salmon
  • Creamy Horseradish Dill Sauce.
  • Spicy Maple Mustard Sauce.
  • Hot Honey Butter Sauce.
  • Brown Sugar Teriyaki Sauce.
  • Miso Lemon Butter Sauce.
  • Buttery Caper Sauce.
  • Caramelized Honey Miso Sauce.
Feb 6, 2023

Is salmon better in foil or no foil? ›

The foil locks in moisture and ensures that your beautiful piece of salmon turns out flakey, moist, and tender every single time. You don't need to have ever cooked a piece of fish in your life to make this recipe with success. Foil acts as a flavor incubator.

How do you keep salmon from drying out in the oven? ›

Use a “barrier”: This tip will come in handy when you're baking fillets. Olive oil, butter, or even a sauce can serve as a protective barrier between the salmon and the heat, allowing it to cook without losing too much moisture. Herbs, vegetables, and lemon slices can also be used to to fillets as they cook.

How many minutes to bake salmon at 400 degrees? ›

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.

How do you know when salmon is baked enough? ›

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.

What is the best cooking method for salmon? ›

Pan-frying or pan-searing is one of the best ways to cook salmon fillets. It's quick, easy, and gives the fish that perfect crispy, crunchy skin. A simple pan-fried salmon is the secret to a flavorful and healthy weeknight dinner in 30 minutes or less.

Should you eat salmon skin? ›

Salmon is one of the healthiest and most popular fishes to make, and if you like the skin, there's absolutely no reason to discard it. In fact, the salmon skin is known to be an excellent source of minerals, plus omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins B and D, and more nutrients.

What brings out the flavor of salmon? ›

Here are some of the best spices to sprinkle on top of your salmon:
  • Cajun seasoning. ...
  • Curry spices. ...
  • Cumin + smoked hot paprika. ...
  • Classic salt and pepper + aromatic herbs and lemon. ...
  • Sweet and spicy flavor punch. ...
  • Subtle rub with garam masala. ...
  • Garlic marinade. ...
  • Honey and soy marinade.

Why put mayo on salmon? ›

Covering your fish in a layer of mayo before popping it in the oven is a foolproof method for ensuring a crispy armor and a flavorful, tender interior.

Why bake salmon in foil? ›

So, the first thing we love about baking salmon in foil is that it keeps the moisture in. The foil seals in moisture and boosts the flavor even with very little seasoning! Also, we love to bake our Salmon because it requires little attention from the chef. You simply throw the salmon in, set the timer, and off you go.

Is it better to bake salmon on foil or parchment paper? ›

A great way to cook salmon, especially if you don't want to add a lot (or possibly any) fat to it, and love not having a ton of cleanup to do afterward, is to cook it in foil.

Should you cover salmon when cooking in pan? ›

Sprinkle in salt, a few peppercorns and a bay leaf. Bring the water to a fast simmer, and turn off the heat. Cover the pan and let the fish cook for 20 to 30 minutes. The salmon should be medium-rare.

How long do you cook salmon at 350 for? ›

The ideal temperature to bake salmon is at 350°. At that temperature, a large piece of salmon should take about 25 minutes to bake in the oven.

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