Baked Salmon with Garlic Butter Bread Crumbs

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This recipe for Baked Salmon is the best of the best. So simple, so flavorful and ready in about 20 minutes. Simply stir bread crumbs together with some garlic, melted butter and parmesan cheese, coat the salmon and bake. Fancy enough for company but fast enough for any weeknight dinner. Serve along side some butter rice or roasted asparagus.

So thrilled to be sharing this Baked Salmon recipe with you today! I have been making this for years and it never fails to impress. I can’t believe it took me this long to post this recipe, based on how frequently I make it, but so happy to share it because its so so delicious. The best compliment to a beautiful piece of salmon is a crisp and buttery garlic crumb topping. Everyone loves it (even my kids) and never are there leftovers. It’s the only baked salmon recipe you’ll need.

Baked Salmon Recipe

So, you only need 5 main ingredients for this recipe! A piece of salmon to bake (obviously) and then the ingredients for the garlic butter bread crumb topping. Here are the basics:

• A fresh salmon filet-I use a 1 1/2-2 lb piece of salmon, typically from Costco. Wild or farm-raised is fine. Whatever you can get your hands on is great, as long as its fresh.
• Italian Bread Crumbs– instead of using plain bread crumbs, I love these seasoned ones. They taste great and give lots of flavor.
• Fresh garlic– mince this up finely and add to the coating. I use about one tablespoon total, but feel free to add or take away to make this your own.
• Melted butter– I use salted butter because that is my preference, but use what you have. Heck, even olive oil will work.
• Parmesan Cheese– this is definitely an optional ingredient, but a welcome one that that! Adds a salty, cheesy bite.

I like also lining my baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easier clean up, but again, totally optional. That’s just my personal preference.

How to make Baked Salmon

So! If you have an oven and the ingredients as listed above, you too can bake some seriously good salmon. All the detailed instructions are listed in the recipe card below, but here are the highlights:

1. Unwrap your salmon and press with paper towels to remove any extra moisture.
2. In a small bowl, toss melted butter, garlic, bread crumbs and parmesan cheese. It should look like damp sand after its been thoroughly mixed.
3. Press the moist crumbs overtop the salmon to form a thin crust over the entire filet.
4. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until thoroughly baked.
5. Remove from oven and cool 10 minutes before cutting and serving.

How Long to Bake Salmon

I find fish, in general, bakes best at a high temperature for a shorter period of time. This baked salmon is no different. I recommend baking at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until just baked. Of course the time will vary slightly based on how thick your piece of fish is and if your oven runs hot or cold, but this is a great guideline.

Can I bake the salmon ahead of time?

Yes you can, but reheated salmon doesn’t taste very good, plus this recipe in particular doesn’t do well because the bread crumbs get soggy over time.

If you’d like to make this ahead somehow, I would recommend making the bread crumb coating ahead of time and pressing the salmon free of extra moisture. Store both items in the fridge and then assemble right before baking.

Good Side Dishes for Fish

Salmon can go with nearly any side dish. So I’ve gathered a few of my favorites to go with a protein-heavy main dish.

• Famous Butter Rice – buttery rice is perfect with this oven-baked salmon recipe. This is my go-to choice.
• Sweet Potato Rolls – another carby side dish to go along with salmon, but this time these rolls are flavored with sweet potatoes.
• Roasted Veggie and Quinoa Salad – for a lighter and healthier side dish to go with this already healthy main dish.
• Perfect Scalloped Potatoes Recipe – a creamy and hearty side dish to comfort and fill you up!

Tools you’ll need:

Be sure you have a large enough baking sheet for your piece of salmon for baking. I find a half sheet pan is perfect! These are the ones I own and love! Also, I like using parchment paper to line all my pans, but that is an optional step.

Love Salmon? Try these other recipes:

• Asian Salmon Recipe
• Honey Butter Sesame Salmon
• Leftover Salmon Croquettes with Avocado Salsa

So, there you have it! My delicious Baked Salmon with Garlic Butter Bread Crumbs. I hope you love it as much as my family does! Be sure to print, save, pin, bookmark or share this recipe because it’s not one you’re going to want to lose.

Have a great day, friends!