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I’m positive this Old Bay Salmon will become a regular on your menu! Classic Old Bay seasoning makes this fresh salmon recipe pop with flavor! And the simple oven-roasting method couldn’t be easier.
This delicious roasted salmon with Old Bay Seasoning is a perfect choice for anyone looking for an easy recipe. Old Bay salmon is a classic dish featuring seasoned salmon fillets with a tasty blend of Old Bay seasoning.
If you’re a fan of salmon, this awesome spice blend is hugely flavorful and works amazingly on this simple seafood dish! Crisp on the outside and tender and buttery on the inside, this salmon recipe is the easiest and most delicious way to prepare fish at home. With only a few pantry staples, you can create a healthy and family-friendly dinner perfect for weeknight meals in just 30 minutes!
What Is Old Bay Seasoning
Old Bay is a classic seasoning that’s been around for years. The secret formula is not shared publicly, but the blend includes black pepper, red pepper, paprika, and dry mustard. It packs bold flavor and kicks things up a notch, especially with seafood recipes.
There’s also a wonderful herb flavor thanks to celery salt and possibly some bay leaf, plus spicy notes that could be cardamom or nutmeg. Again, it’s a secret formula, so I’m guessing!
Recipe Ingredients
This oven baked salmon is quick and turns out perfectly golden brown every single time. To make it, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. For exact amounts and thorough instructions, scroll down to the recipe card.
- Salmon: This recipe uses about 1 pound of salmon fillets.
- Olive Oil: For brushing on the fillets. About 2 tablespoons of olive oil should do it, and you can use extra virgin, virgin, and avocado oil works great, too.
- Old Bay Seasoning: You’ll need 1 teaspoon of this classic seasoning mix.
- Garlic and Onion Powder: These help give an intensity of flavor to the rich salmon.
- Dried Dill and Parsley: These classic herbs give a little extra contrast to the salmon’s flavor.
- Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of your favorite fresh herbs, like parsley or cilantro, can be used as a garnish.
Can You Use Frozen Salmon?
Yes! And while some cooks encourage cooking fillets straight from frozen, I think the texture and flavor are better if you thaw salmon before cooking.
To do this quickly, place the fillets in sealed food storage bags if they’re not already sealed in plastic. Then place the bagged fillets in a large bowl or basin of cold water for one hour, replacing the water with more fresh cold water halfway through.
How to Make Old Bay Salmon
Roasting salmon really couldn’t be easier! It’s also a very fast method, essentially requiring you to just preheat the oven, season the fillets, and go! That’s one reason it definitely qualifies as an easy weeknight recipe!
- Prepare the Oven, Pan, and Fillets. Preheat the oven to 450˚F. Grease a baking sheet or pan with cooking spray. Then place the fillets, skin side down, on the baking sheet and brush them with olive oil
- Season the Salmon. In a small mixing bowl, blend the Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, dill weed, and parsley; mix well to combine. Rub this spice mixture onto the fillets, all around the top and sides. There’s no need to season the skin side.
- Roast! Bake the salmon fillets for 8 to 10 minutes or until they flake easily with a fork. You can also use an instant read thermometer to check for doneness; salmon is cooked through when its internal temperature registers at 145˚F.
Recipe Tips
This easy recipe comes together quickly with basic staples and a couple of special tips to bring out the best in your salmon.
- Use Parchment: While it’s fine to cook this salmon directly on your baking sheet or pan, it makes cleanup a lot easier to line your pan with a large piece of parchment paper.
- Choose Wild: If possible, go for wild-caught salmon fillets (whether frozen or fresh). Most cooks agree that wild-caught salmon has a superior flavor to its farmed counterpart!
- Select for Size: It’s best to use fillets that are all about the same size and thickness, so that they cook evenly. If your fillets are too different in size, the smaller ones may overcook while the larger ones remain undercooked!
Serving Suggestions
Start your meal with my quick and easy instant pot corn chowder. The sweetness from the bacon pairs perfectly with seafood, making it an ideal appetizer for this easy dinner. Follow it up with buttery bread, like my no-knead dinner rolls, which are fast, easy, and delicious.
For a refreshing side, a simple salad is always a good idea. You can go with a classic garden or Caesar salad, or try something a little different with my cucumber salad with sour cream dressing. To round out the meal, add a squeeze of lemon juice to your Old Bay salmon and serve it with green beans and a side of crispy French fries or chili cheese fries for a complete dinner.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
- To refrigerate: store the leftover salmon fillets in food storage bags or airtight containers. Salmon fillets will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- To reheat: place leftover fillets in an ovenproof dish and cover loosely with foil. Bake at 275˚F until heated through, about 15 minutes.
- I don’t recommend freezing the leftover salmon, as it tends to become dry and/or mushy when thawed and reheated.
Old Bay Salmon
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds salmon fillets, (use 4 fillets)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, you can also use extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried dill weed
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450˚F.
- Generously grease a baking sheet or pan with cooking spray. Place the salmon fillets, skin side down, on the baking sheet and brush them with olive oil.
- In a small mixing bowl combine old bay seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, dill weed, and parsley; mix to combine.
- Add the spice mixture to the fillets and rub it all around the top and sides.
- Bake for 10 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork. You can also use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness; salmon is cooked through when its internal temperature registers at 145˚F.
- Remove from oven and let stand a couple of minutes before serving.
To Make with Roasted Vegetables (optional)
- Prepare halved brussel sprouts and slices of yellow squash with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper; arrange on a baking sheet and roast for 10 minutes. Add raw salmon fillets around the veggies and continue to roast for 10 more minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
I am about to make this now as July 4th meal.
Too hot in Georgia to outdoor grill.
That sounds great! Enjoy your meal indoors. Stay cool and have a wonderful July 4th! 🙂