Today we’re talking salmon. Specifically, roasted salmon. This is one of those recipes that’s so simple and so delicious, and yet it makes you look like a culinary genius. Seriously, you can whip this up on a weeknight, and everyone will think you’ve been slaving away in the kitchen. (Spoiler: you haven’t.) I’m going to cover everything from what kind of salmon to buy (wild-caught vs. farmed – the age-old question!) to how to get that perfectly flaky, melt-in-your-mouth texture with your sheet pan. Let’s get cooking!
What Kind of Salmon to Buy
You can use either wild-caught or farmed salmon in this dish. Wild caught will be darker red with a great omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio, but it’s more expensive. Farmed salmon is higher in fat, and therefore less likely to dry out when cooking. I’m using farmed salmon that I got at Whole Foods, but you can use either one. Just check the wild-caught salmon in the oven more frequently to see if it’s done.
How to Make Roasted Salmon Filet
Like most things that I roast, I put my roasting pan in the oven at 450 degrees to preheat. A hot pan and cold oil means that the food is less likely to stick, and also gives you a little leg up on the browning process. I’m using my Our Place ceramic nonstick pan, but you can use any roasting pan that’s big enough to fit your salmon fillet. If you got a really big piece of salmon, you may need to cut the fillet in half and separate it between two pans.
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If your salmon has been sitting in the fridge overnight, it’s good to wipe it dry with a paper towel or rinse it off and pat dry. No need to let it come to room temperature. Check for any unwanted pin bones by smoothing your hands over the top of the fillet.
Drizzle the salmon with some avocado oil or another oil that can withstand high heat (extra virgin olive oil is a no go for this one).
Skin side down, sprinkle your seasoning of choice evenly over the salmon. I’m using my secret weapon—a house blend that you’ll hear more about soon, but salt, pepper, and garlic powder is great. I also added some dried dill that’s a really great flavor for salmon. You could also go for a little bit of jerk seasoning or coconut sugar.
With a hot pad, take out the roasting pan, put the salmon on it skin side down, and put it back into the oven.
How to Know When Your Salmon is Cooked
Ceramic Oven Pan
I like my salmon to be medium-well done, so I want it to be opaque all the way through. It should flake nicely, but not seem dry. That’s how my kids prefer it! Jules likes the crispy edges—that comes from the high-heat cooking method.
Take the salmon out of the oven and squeeze a little fresh lemon juice overtop. Portion out individual servings (the salmon skin will likely stay behind on the pan and soak off).
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You can serve this salmon alongside a delicious baby gem salad (pictured above), some asparagus, or your side of choice. This is such an easy weeknight meal that looks far more elaborate than it is. You’ll win serious points with your family and friends with this recipe. Give it a try and let me know what you think!
