Easy Baked Mediterranean Salmon with Lemon and Garlic

Enjoy a healthy and flavorful dinner with this baked Mediterranean salmon recipe. Tender salmon fillets are seasoned with garlic, lemon zest, smoked paprika and other spices, and then baked. Perfect for busy weeknights or impressive entertaining, this easy baked salmon recipe is ready in less than 30 minutes.

Baked garlic herb salmon  with lemon slices on a black plate.

Why you’ll love this easy salmon recipe

  • Bold Mediterranean Flavors (like my paprika salmon recipe)– Smoked paprika and lemon zest give the salmon a delicious smoky-citrus kick you won’t forget.
  • Quick and Easy – Just 20 minutes from prep to plate, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
  • Health hack – Spreading a thin layer of oil before seasoning with spices allows you to use less oil without sacrificing flavor.
  • Impressive for Entertaining (Yet Simple): This dish looks absolutely stunning when it comes out of the oven. The vibrant colors and fresh ingredients make it an elegant choice for dinner parties.
  • Nourishing – High in protein, rich in omega-3s, and perfect for heart-healthy or Mediterranean diets.
  • Minimal Ingredients – Made with simple pantry staples, no fancy ingredients required.
  • Oven-Baked Perfection – No fuss, no flipping—just pop it in the oven and let it do the work.
  • Versatile – Pairs well with salads, grains, or roasted potatoes for a complete meal.

Let’s look at what you need and how to make this awesome baked salmon:

Ingredients

(You can find the exact measurements and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this page.)

Labelled ingredients for salmon recipe with garlic and lemon.
  • Salmon: Use a large fillet with more or less uniform thickness.
  • Spices: Smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, coriander, black pepper and cumin.
  • Herbs: A combination of dried (oregano) and fresh herbs (parsley) makes this lemon garlic salmon irresistible.
  • Other flavor-makers: Garlic and lemon
  • Olive oil

How to make baked Mediterranean salmon: Step by step

This baked salmon recipe is as easy as seasoning the salmon on a sheet pan and baking in the oven.

Preheat the oven to 200°C/390°F.

Remove the skin from the salmon fillet. (If you like crispy skin, check out this recipe for almond crusted salmon.)

Place the salmon fillet on a sheet pan. Brush the fillet with oil on both sides.

Oil being spread on salmon for baking.

Mix the spices together in a small bowl. Spread the seasoning evenly on both sides.

Salmon with garlic herb seasoning on a sheet pan.

Spread minced garlic and lemon zest on both sides of the fillet.

Garlic and lemon zest being sprinkled on a salmon fillet on a sheet pan.

Place a few sprigs of parsley and lemon slices on the fillet. Baking with lemon zest, fresh herbs and slices gives an extra boost of freshness to the salmon.

Lemon herb salmon on a sheet pan, ready to be baked.

Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 10 minutes. Check for doneness with a fork. The fish should flake easily without resistance.

If not done, bake for a couple of minutes more.

Baked Mediterranean salmon with lemon and herb on a sheet pan.

Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve with lemon slices. Squeeze lemon juice on the juicy salmon and devour!

Mediterranean baked salmon with lemon slices and herbs on a black plate.

What to serve with Mediterranean salmon

Salads

Mediterranean salmon baked with herbs and lemon slices on a black plate.

More salmon recipes you may like

  1. Baked tandoori salmon
  2. Pesto crusted salmon
  3. Baked salmon kabobs with saffron
  4. Citrus glazed salmon
  5. Pan seared salmon with mushroom sauce
  6. Baked almond crusted salmon with honey mustard
Baked Mediterranean salmon with lemon slices and herbs on a black plate.

Easy Baked Mediterranean Salmon Recipe

This baked Mediterranean salmon is bursting with bold flavors from smoked paprika and fresh lemon zest, balanced with garlic and herbs. It’s a heart-healthy, oven-baked salmon dish ready in just 20 minutes—perfect for a quick, flavorful Mediterranean-style dinner.
Author: Sheeba
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 4
Calories 189.5 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 450 grams salmon fillet (1 pound)
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 lemon, thinly sliced
  • a few sprigs parsley

STEP BY STEP IMAGES

Scroll back to find detailed recipe photos!

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 200°C/390°F.
  • Remove the skin from 450 grams salmon fillet (1 pound).
  • Place the whole fillet on a sheet pan. Brush the fillet with 2 teaspoons olive oil on both sides.
  • Mix together in a small bowl: 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, ½ teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon dried oregano.
  • Spread the seasoning evenly on both sides of the salmon fillet.
  • Mince 4 cloves garlic and grate 1 teaspoon lemon zest. Sprinkle the minced garlic and lemon zest on both sides of the fillet.
  • Place a few sprigs parsley and lemon slices on the fillet.
  • Place the sheet pan in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes.
  • Check for doneness with a fork. The fish should flake easily without resistance.
  • If not done, bake for a couple of minutes more.
  • Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve with the lemon slices by the side.
  • Squeeze lemon juice on the juicy salmon and devour!

Notes

  • Cooking time depends on the thickness of the salmon fillet.
  • Rule of thumb: If it (the thickest part of the fillet) is more than 1 inch, allow 3 to 4 minutes more for every additional ½ inch thickness.
  • Spice level: If you’re not a spice person, skip the cayenne and use less paprika.
  • I prefer removing the skin and seasoning both sides of the fillet, which makes the salmon extra flavorful.
  • Love crispy salmon skin? Use this method.
Nutrition Facts
Easy Baked Mediterranean Salmon Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
189.5
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
9.5
g
15
%
Saturated Fat
 
1.4
g
9
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
3.2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
4
g
Cholesterol
 
61.9
mg
21
%
Sodium
 
632.7
mg
28
%
Potassium
 
606.1
mg
17
%
Carbohydrates
 
2.5
g
1
%
Fiber
 
0.9
g
4
%
Sugar
 
0.2
g
0
%
Protein
 
22.8
g
46
%
Vitamin A
 
512.9
IU
10
%
Vitamin C
 
2.1
mg
3
%
Calcium
 
36.8
mg
4
%
Iron
 
1.6
mg
9
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

★★★★★Did you try this recipe? Please give a star rating in the comments below ★★★★★

HUNGRY FOR MORE? Join over 1000 home cooks like you who subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get all the latest recipes right in your inbox. Or follow me on your favorite social media: Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube. Thank you and happy cooking!

Author profile photo

Hi! I’m Sheeba, welcome to Go Healthy ever after!

I have a passion for cooking delicious nourishing food that’s easy to cook with fresh natural ingredients free from additives or preservatives. The easy healthy recipes you find here will inspire you to cook with creativity.

2 thoughts on “Easy Baked Mediterranean Salmon with Lemon and Garlic”

5 from 1 vote

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate this recipe




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.