This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
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. If you want to change it up, try it with my seafood seasoning blend.
- 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.
More Easy Fish Recipes
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.
This 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.
Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy it! ๐
Yum! My daughter and I are going to love this recipe! I can’t wait to make this!
This salmon looks so inviting! Love how easy is to make this dish!
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it! ๐
I have been craving salmon and this was the answer! I am so glad I cam across this!
I hope you enjoy it! Thank YOU! ๐
Such a flavorful dinner! My family loved it!
Thank YOU! I am very glad you enjoyed it! ๐
This is such an amazing salmon recipe!! Love how tasty it is!
Thank YOU! I hope you enjoy it!!
Gave this a try for dinner last night and they did not disappoint! Easily, a new family favorite dish!
That’s great! I am very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! ๐
God Bless You!!!
I’m learning how to cook and this is my new favorite.
Thanks!!!
That’s great! I’m very happy you loved this recipe!! Thank you for chiming in! ๐
Hi – 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.
I am very happy everyone loved it! Thank you for chiming in! ๐
So good! I did mine in the air frier and it was so delicious. It will be one of my go tos for sure!
I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! ๐
I 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
Hi!
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 390หF 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 145หF. 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.