Lemon Pepper Salmon Recipe

Q: How do you know when salmon is done?

T he salmon is done when it turns opaque and flaky. For a more accurate measure, the fish should reach an internal temperature of 120 to 125 degrees Fahrenheit when an instant-read thermometer is inserted in its thickest part. This is the optimal internal temperature at which all potentially harmful bacteria are killed and the salmon is at its peak quality.

Photos of Lemon Pepper Salmon Recipe

This baked lemon pepper salmon recipe is sure to give your taste buds a treat. In this recipe, we’re coating our fresh salmon slab with a simple lemon garlic sauce then baking it with our potato wedges until tender. The result is a hearty meal that belongs to an elegant Sunday brunch menu while also being incredibly easy to make. Top it with fresh lemon slices or lemon zest for an added pop of color and serve it with tartar sauce and spring mix salad on the side.

Tips on Making Lemon Pepper Salmon

What’s great about this lemon pepper salmon recipe, besides being easy to make, is that it calls for ingredients that you probably already have on hand. If not, they’re easily accessible in your local grocery store. Now before anything else, here are some valuable tips that should help you make it perfectly:

Use fresh salmon. They should have clear and bright eyes, red gills, and the light pink flesh should feel firm when touched. Also, stay away from ones that have a slimy film and an off smell.

Bring the salmon to room temperature before cooking. Don’t cook frozen salmon straight as it is, and don’t let it stay at room temperature for too long as well to maintain its quality.

Aside from baking it, you can grill it at 375 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes, flipping halfway. Alternatively, you can wrap it in aluminum foil and cook the salmon in a toaster oven. If any of these is not available, you can always prepare it on a stovetop and give the salmon a good sear by using a cast-iron pan.

Add fresh herbs to the seasoning mixture of this lemon salmon recipe like fresh thyme, rosemary, or dill, for instance.

Cooking for one? This lemon pepper fish is also great for meal prep. Slice the slab into serving portions before baking. Take one for dinner, then refrigerate the rest. You have a ready healthy dinner for the week.

More Baked Salmon Recipes to Try

Aside from this lemon pepper salmon bake, there are actually a lot of other delicious baked salmon recipes with other flavors that you can try. Check them out here:

Crispy Baked Salmon with Garlic Parmesan — Kids will especially love the cheesy and crispy spin on this dish. The salmon fillet is crusted with garlic parmesan topping that turns into crispy and golden brown after baking.

Brown Sugar Lime Baked Salmon — Enjoy the cooked salmon sweet and zesty with a bit of kick from cayenne and a fresh herby taste from cilantro.

Honey Mustard Baked Salmon — A milder version of brown sugar lime-glazed salmon, this recipe is also tangy and sweet but without any spicy ingredient.

Baked Salmon and Lentils — This one’s a protein-packed complete meal ready in just 15 minutes. Deep flavors come from coriander and cumin.

Baked Salmon Loaf — Here’s a twist on your usual meatloaf recipes. It’s also a great way to revamp leftover salmon and bread into a new delicious dish.

How To Make Lemon Peppered Salmon

Enjoy a tasty plate of lemon pepper salmon seasoned with fresh lemon juice, black pepper, and garlic with roasted potato wedges on the side. It’s a healthy dinner ready in just 35 minutes.

Prep: 5 mins

Cook: 30 mins

Total: 35 mins

Serves:

Ingredients

For Salmon:

2 lb salmon fillets, skin-on
¼ cup olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp lemon pepper

For Potatoes:

1 lb potatoes, cut into wedges
1½ tsp lemon pepper
2 tbsp olive oil

To Serve:

⅓ cup tartar sauce, per serving
2 cups salad, per serving
2 lemon wedges

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients for the potatoes. Toss to coat evenly.
Transfer to a baking sheet and spread evenly. Roast for 10 minutes, then slightly move the potatoes to the sides of the baking sheet, enough for the salmon to fit in lengthwise.
For the salmon, combine all its ingredients, then pour and rub it all over the salmon.
Place the salmon onto the baking sheet with the potatoes, then return back to the oven. Roast for another 15 minutes, or until both potatoes and salmon are fully cooked through. As an additional step, you may broil the salmon at the oven’s highest setting briefly to crisp up the fish.
Serve with lemon wedges, tartar sauce, and vegetables of your choice.

Recipe Notes

Cut big potatoes into ⅓ to ½-inch thick wedges. New or baby potatoes just need to be cut in half.

Nutrition

Sugar: 2g
:
Calcium: 72mg
Calories: 650kcal
Carbohydrates: 27g
Cholesterol: 126mg
Fat: 38g
Fiber: 4g
Iron: 3mg
Monounsaturated Fat: 20g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g
Potassium: 1715mg
Protein: 48g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Sodium: 238mg
Vitamin A: 374IU
Vitamin C: 36mg

Nutrition Disclaimer

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Frequently Asked Questions

What goes good with lemon pepper salmon?

Lemon pepper salmon is pretty versatile. Aside from pairing it with roasted potato wedges like what we did in this recipe, you can also serve it with pasta like aglio e olio or grains like fried rice. For a lighter option, serve it with a simple green salad.

How do you know when salmon is done?

The salmon is done when it turns opaque and flaky. For a more accurate measure, the fish should reach an internal temperature of 120 to 125 degrees Fahrenheit when an instant-read thermometer is inserted in its thickest part. This is the optimal internal temperature at which all potentially harmful bacteria are killed and the salmon is at its peak quality.