Classic Old Bay seasoning makes this fresh salmon recipe pop with flavor! And the simple oven-roasting method couldn’t be easier. I’m positive this Old Bay Roasted Salmon will become a regular on your menu!
Easy Oven Roasted Salmon with Old Bay Seasoning
I know what you’re thinking. What is Old Bay seasoning? It’s not something you hear about often, but Old Bay is a classic seasoning that’s been around for over 75 years. The secret formula is, well, a secret – but the blend includes black pepper, red pepper, paprika, and dry mustard. It packs bold flavor and definitely kicks things up a notch.
There’s also a wonderful herb-y flavor thanks to celery salt and possibly some bay leaf, plus spicy notes that could be cardamom or a nutmeg. Again, it’s a secret formula, so I’m guessing!
Whatever the case though, this awesome spice blend is hugely flavorful, utterly cravable, and works amazingly on this simple roasted salmon!
Recipe Ingredients
- 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, or light olive oil. 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.
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. Easy!
How to Make Oven Roasted Salmon with Old Bay Seasoning
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. While it heats, generously 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
- Combine the Seasonings and Rub Onto the Fillets. 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 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 internal temperature registers at 145˚F.
- Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Oven Roasted 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 with Soup: Warm up to the meal with my Quick and Easy Instant Pot Corn Chowder. Its bacon-y sweetness goes well with just about anything, but especially seafood! Yum!
- Buttery Bread: I just love serving hot, buttery yeast rolls with this dish, and my No-Knead Dinner Rolls are an extra-good choice because they’re fast and easy!
- Simple Salad: Yep, a simple salad is always a good idea, right? You could do a classic garden or Caesar salad, or try something a little different with my Cucumber Salad with Sour Cream Dressing. It’s so minimalist, and so very good!
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 Roasted 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 oven to 450˚F.
- Generously grease a baking sheet or pan with cooking spray.
- Place fish, skin side down, on the baking sheet.
- Brush fish fillets with olive oil.
- In a small mixing bowl combine old bay seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, dill weed, and parsley; mix to combine.
- Add spice mixture to the fillets and rub it all around the top and sides.
- Bake for 10 minutes, or until fish flakes easily with a fork. You can also use an instant read thermometer to check for doneness; salmon is cooked through when internal temperature registers at 145˚F.
- Remove from oven and serve.
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 baking sheet and roast for 10 minutes. Add raw salmon fillets around the veggies and continue to roast for 10 more minutes, or until salmon is cooked through.
36 Comments
Jen
Nov 12, 2020 at 7:05 pmThis is such a genius idea! My hubby introduced me to Old Bay when we were dating (I had never heard of it before). It’s perfect on just about everything. Can’t wait to try this recipe.
Katerina Petrovska
Nov 18, 2020 at 7:09 pmThank you so much! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Beth
Nov 12, 2020 at 7:38 pmYum! My daughter and I are going to love this recipe! I can’t wait to make this!
Catalina
Nov 13, 2020 at 10:56 pmThis salmon looks so inviting! Love how easy is to make this dish!
Katerina Petrovska
Nov 18, 2020 at 7:08 pmThank you! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Kevin
Nov 16, 2020 at 5:44 pmI have been craving salmon and this was the answer! I am so glad I cam across this!
Katerina Petrovska
Nov 18, 2020 at 7:07 pmI hope you enjoy it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Cathy
Nov 16, 2020 at 6:21 pmSuch a flavorful dinner! My family loved it!
Katerina Petrovska
Nov 18, 2020 at 7:03 pmThank YOU! I am very glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Sandra McCollum
Nov 16, 2020 at 7:59 pmThis is such an amazing salmon recipe!! Love how tasty it is!
Katerina Petrovska
Nov 18, 2020 at 7:03 pmThank YOU! I hope you enjoy it!!
Sara Welch
Nov 16, 2020 at 9:25 pmGave this a try for dinner last night and they did not disappoint! Easily, a new family favorite dish!
Beti
Nov 18, 2020 at 7:01 pmThat’s great! I am very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Janae Pope
Sep 27, 2021 at 9:42 amGod Bless You!!!
I’m learning how to cook and this is my new favorite.
Thanks!!!
Katerina Petrovska
Sep 27, 2021 at 11:15 amThat’s great! I’m very happy you loved this recipe!! Thank you for chiming in! 🙂
Doug Roberts
Oct 1, 2021 at 7:27 pmHi – thanks for posting this. The entire family enjoyed it thoroughly. Nice subtle seasoning matched so well with the salmon. Good tip on the parchment paper too – made clean-up a breeze. 10/10 for taste AND ease of preparation. Served with rice pilaf and asparagus.
Katerina Petrovska
Oct 4, 2021 at 10:08 amI am very happy everyone loved it! Thank you for chiming in! 🙂
Tina Ihas
Dec 11, 2021 at 10:54 pmSo good! I did mine in the air frier and it was so delicious. It will be one of my go tos for sure!
Katerina Petrovska
Dec 13, 2021 at 2:36 pmI’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Patricia Shew
Apr 18, 2022 at 1:03 pmI am new to Air Frying and would love to know how you made this. What temperature and for how long? Did you put it in the basket or on a tray?? Sorry for all the questions but I’m trying to learn this new thing. This is really teaching an old dog new tricks!! I’m 74 and this is my first encounter with an air fryer.
Thank You for your help.
Patricia A. Shew
The Villages, Florida
Katerina
Apr 19, 2022 at 9:23 pmHi!
It’s very straight forward, but you’ll have to cook the salmon and the veggies separately if using a basket. Set Air Fryer at 390˚F and cook the salmon for about 7 to 8 minutes, or to your desired doneness. Keep in mind that salmon is cooked through when internal temperature registers at 145˚F. I suggest to not crowd the basket, and if it doesn’t fit all the filets at once, cook them in batches.
For the veggies, keep the same temp, arrange the veggies in one single layer, and cook for about 6 to 8 minutes, or until tender.
I hope this helps.
Ang
Jan 8, 2022 at 5:59 pmI made this tonight. Great recipe. It’s one to put in the rotation.
Katerina Petrovska
Jan 12, 2022 at 4:57 amThat’s wonderful! I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Chelsea
Jan 10, 2022 at 6:27 pmDelicious! My husband typically doesn’t like salmon or Brussels sprouts but he enjoyed this (as did I!)
Katerina Petrovska
Jan 12, 2022 at 4:55 amThat’s great! I’m very glad you and your husband enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Angela
Mar 19, 2022 at 7:41 pmAlways looking for a new flavor to try on fish. Adding this to the list.
Katerina Petrovska
Mar 22, 2022 at 2:18 pmI hope you’ll enjoy it! Thank you! 🙂
Amber
Oct 27, 2022 at 9:52 am3*s for now. I’m going to make this tonight. I’m trying to introduce my kids to more seafood (current Whidbey Islanders), and veggies. My boys love spice so I’m hoping they’ll enjoy it. I’m trying to figure out how to hide any seasoning and make it look like chicken a hot dog or real cheeseburger for my super duper picky daughter. Lol. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Katerina Petrovska
Oct 28, 2022 at 12:51 pmI hope everyone enjoys it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Kathy
Nov 10, 2022 at 6:02 pmLoved this recipe! Easy and delicious! Will make again!
Katerina Petrovska
Nov 13, 2022 at 10:44 amThat’s great! I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Mark
Feb 8, 2023 at 11:05 amMade this last night and it was right on the money. Will be making this again soon.
Katerina Petrovska
Feb 11, 2023 at 5:08 amThat’s great! I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Brandy
Mar 10, 2023 at 8:04 amRecipe was good, quick, and very easy to throw together! I do feel it was missing something, but can’t put my finger on what exactly. Whole family enjoyed it and I would make it again!
Katerina Petrovska
Mar 14, 2023 at 3:25 pmI’m glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
PepperPhoenix
Apr 10, 2023 at 5:52 pmI’m British and bought a tin of Old Bay from the “international” section of our supermarket on a whim after seeing it mentioned online for years. I was very excited to try it but realised I had no clue what to use it on! My memory told me that seafood was a recommended use and I had a particularly lovely piece of salmon just waiting for a special recipe. Google led me here.
I made the recipe almost exactly as written but added a single twist of freshly ground sea salt, purely because we like our food a little saltier in my household.
The salmon was a roaring success. My husband described it as “Delicate, flavourful, flaky, juicy. Just one of the best things I have ever eaten. It’s as close to perfect as you can get.” And I have to agree.
Old Bay smells quite powerful so I was a little worried that it would be overpowering but instead it gave a wonderfully subtle flavour, enhanced by the addition of the other seasonings. It was a delightful change to our usual repertoire of recipes.
Thank you very much. I have bookmarked this page but also noted down the recipe in our household cookbook as this is one that will be entering into our regular dinner rotation.
An excellent and misleadingly simple recipe that yields a beautifully complex result.