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

Home Recipes Courses Dinner Dijon Baked Salmon

by Lisa Bryan

347 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.

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Dijon Baked Salmon

4.85 from 153 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

What is the secret to best salmon? ›

A dry brine gives you firmer, juicier fish fillets with kettle-chip-crisp skin. Credit... Gentl and Hyers for The New York Times.

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.

What is the best temperature to bake salmon? ›

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 not to do when cooking salmon? ›

5 Common Mistakes That We All Make When Cooking Salmon
  1. Not removing pin bones. Fact: Most salmon fillets have pin bones in them. ...
  2. Mistreating the skin. ...
  3. Using the wrong pan. ...
  4. Overcooking your fish. ...
  5. Reheating leftover salmon.
May 17, 2021

What can I put on salmon to make it taste better? ›

Here are some spices you may have that could be good as part of a homemade salmon seasoning.
  1. Paprika.
  2. Chile/Chili powder.
  3. Garlic powder/salt.
  4. Ground cumin.
  5. Onion powder.
  6. Ground ginger.

Is salmon better in foil or no foil? ›

The foil helps cook the fish faster and just all around better. Another reason is that it's a healthy way to cook fish. Yes, salmon is already a very healthy fish. But if you cook it in foil, you don't have to use a lot of oil or butter to cook it.

What is the white stuff coming out of my salmon? ›

The white stuff that oozes out of salmon is called albumin, a type of protein in the fish (other foods with albumin include eggs, beef and milk). You can't see albumin when the fish is raw—it only appears when the salmon is exposed to heat. As salmon cooks, the albumin turns from its liquid state into a semi-solid one.

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.

How do you know when salmon is done? ›

Internal temperature: Use an instant-read meat thermometer; the salmon should register 145°F (63°C) at its thickest part. Flakiness: When gently pressed with a fork, the fish should easily flake apart. Avoid overcooking, as it can dry out the salmon.

What temperature do chefs cook salmon to? ›

Salmon – like all fish – has almost no collagen, which means it will start to lose moisture more quickly than beef. While the FDA recommends cooking fish to 145°F, for a flakier, more moist and tender salmon filet, many chefs find that it's best enjoyed when cooked to medium – 125°F.

Do you bake salmon at 350 or 400? ›

What's the Best Temperature for Baking Salmon? If baking individual salmon fillet portions, a higher temperature of 400 to 425 degrees F is best. For a larger side of salmon, 375 degrees F is the best temperature.

How does Martha Stewart bake salmon? ›

Bake the salmon at 275°F for 20 minutes, or at 300°F for 10 to 15 minutes. These oven temperatures and cook times work every time, regardless of how you season and glaze your filet of salmon, and whether the skin is on or off.

What is the secret of cooking salmon? ›

So, you want skin that is super crisp and flavorful, just as you would want with chicken. Starting your salmon skin-side down, and cooking it until it is well rendered, lightly browned, and crisp, and then turning the salmon to finish the cooking, will make for a terrific dining experience.

What do you soak salmon in before cooking? ›

Soaking salmon in a simple, quick brine for as little as 10 minutes (up to overnight, if you like planning ahead) is all it takes. To make it happen you need two very basic ingredients: water and salt. Combine 1 tablespoon of salt for every cup of water.

Why do you soak salmon in milk? ›

Apparently, the proteins present in milk can bind to the fatty acids that have been exposed to air and give salmon its fishy odor or taste and mitigate them to be more neutral. (Fishiness is caused by the oxidation of fatty acids.)

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