This baked king salmon recipe involves brushing a buttery seasoned sauce onto the salmon and baking it to perfection. It's an easy, flavorful recipe that is sure to be a hit, and it's ready in less than 30 minutes!
You'll start by making a quick sauce of butter, honey, Dijon mustard, and seasonings and brushing it on top of the fish before baking. This gives salmon the most perfectly balanced flavor. It's also delicious cold the next day over a salad.
If you love salmon recipes, try my Easy Broiled Salmon, Teriyaki Glazed salmon, or Maple Glazed Salmon as well!
I love cooking fish on busy weeknights because it cooks so quickly. This salmon is no exception.
If you need a quick meal the family will love, pair this salmon with an easy green salad or some sautéed zucchini for a fast, delicious, and healthy dinner. Check out our full list of side dishes for salmon for more inspiration!
King Salmon Ingredients
- King salmon fillets - King salmon are also called Chinook salmon. During the summer, you may be able to find fresh salmon at your local grocery store. Unlike other salmon varieties, most king salmon you find will be wild-caught.
- Butter - I love the buttery taste with king salmon, as opposed to another oil, like avocado or olive oil. It pairs well with the buttery flavor of the salmon.
- Lemon juice - Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor. It provides a light citrus flavor that pairs well with the butter and seasoning mix.
- Honey - The honey adds a little bit of sweetness, which is delicious with salmon.
- Dijon mustard - Mustard provides additional acidity that helps to flavor the salmon.
- Seasonings - Paprika, cumin and garlic powder come together to give just the right flavor balance of bold and savory.
- Optional toppings - Fresh herbs like dill and parsley can be sprinkled on top for serving, along with lemon slices to give a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the salmon.
See the recipe card for quantities.
Choosing the Best Salmon
- Color - The flesh of the king salmon should be firm and a bit translucent with an orange and dark pink color with white lines. Avoid any dull looking or dry-looking salmon filets.
- Smell - fresh salmon will have an ocean smell and won't be acrid or acidic. Salmon past its prime will smell overly-fish.
If you try this baked king salmon recipe, let me know! Connect on Instagram and share your photos, or leave us a star rating.
Baked King Salmon
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds king salmon
- 3 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Optional toppings - fresh dill fresh parsley, lemon wedges
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, paprika, kosher salt, cumin, and garlic powder. Stir to combine.
- Place the salmon, skin side down, on a parchment or aluminum foil lined sheet pan. Pat dry with a paper towel.
- Brush the butter mixture all over the top of the salmon till it is fully covered.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the salmon easily flakes apart and reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees on an instant-read thermometer (at the thickest part of the fillet).
- Serve immediately with optional lemon wedges and fresh herbs.
Leave a Reply