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.
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.)
- 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.
Mix the spices together in a small bowl. Spread the seasoning evenly on both sides.
Spread minced garlic and lemon zest on both sides of the fillet.
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.
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.
Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve with lemon slices. Squeeze lemon juice on the juicy salmon and devour!
What to serve with Mediterranean salmon
Salads
- Roasted red pepper salad
- Beet walnut feta salad
- No-mayo honey mustard coleslaw
- Potato salad with raisins
- Beet orange salad
Breads and dips
Warm pita or flatbread with:
More salmon recipes you may like
- Baked tandoori salmon
- Pesto crusted salmon
- Baked salmon kabobs with saffron
- Citrus glazed salmon
- Pan seared salmon with mushroom sauce
- Baked almond crusted salmon with honey mustard
Easy Baked Mediterranean Salmon Recipe
Equipment
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.
★★★★★Did you try this recipe? Please give a star rating in the comments below ★★★★★
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Simple and fuss-free recipe, great flavours!
Thank you, J!