10+ Easy Salmon Recipes for Quick and Delicious Meals

Salmon’s one of those fish that just about everyone seems to love. It’s healthy, tastes great, and honestly, you don’t need a ton of time or fancy tricks to whip up something delicious.

Easy salmon recipes let you throw together tasty meals fast, using simple ingredients. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or a couple friends, these ideas work.

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Ingredients

• Salmon fillets
• Olive oil or butter
• Lemon
• Garlic
• Salt
• Pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place the salmon fillets on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
3. Drizzle olive oil or melted butter over the salmon.
4. Add lemon slices and minced garlic on top.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes, until the salmon’s cooked through.

1) Easy Baked Lemon-Herb Salmon

Baked lemon-herb salmon is about as simple as it gets. It’s quick, healthy, and you get that fresh hit of lemon and herbs.

You don’t need much to make it shine. Season the salmon with herbs like dill or parsley, plus garlic and lemon juice.

The lemon keeps things moist and adds a bright, tangy kick. Bake at a moderate temp so the fish cooks evenly.

If you’re new to cooking salmon, this is a good place to start. Dinner’s ready in about 25-30 minutes, tops.

It goes with pretty much anything—veggies, rice, you name it.

Ingredients:

• Salmon fillets
• Fresh lemon juice
• Garlic cloves
• Fresh herbs (dill, parsley, or thyme)
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place salmon on a baking sheet lined with foil.
3. Drizzle olive oil and lemon juice over the salmon.
4. Sprinkle minced garlic, chopped herbs, salt, and pepper.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork.

2) Honey Garlic Salmon Glaze

Want a sweet and savory salmon? Try tossing together a quick honey garlic glaze.

Just mix honey, garlic, soy sauce, and a splash of lemon juice. It comes together fast and cooks up in no time, whether you use the stove or oven.

The glaze clings to the salmon, making it glossy and flavorful. If you want a little heat, toss in some red pepper flakes.

Ingredients

• 1 pound salmon fillets
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Mix honey, garlic, soy sauce, lemon juice, and pepper flakes in a bowl.
3. Place salmon on a foil-lined baking sheet.
4. Brush glaze over the salmon.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until flaky.
6. Serve warm with your favorite side.

3) Tin Foil Butter Lemon Salmon

Here’s a classic: salmon cooked in foil with lemon and butter. It’s super easy and comes out moist every time.

Just grab a lemon, some butter, garlic, and salmon. Wrap it all up in foil so the flavors meld and cleanup’s a breeze.

You’ll have dinner on the table in about 20 minutes. This one’s a go-to for juicy, flaky salmon without any hassle.

Want to see how it’s done? Check out this garlic butter baked salmon in foil recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 salmon fillet
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Set the salmon on a big piece of foil.
3. Top with butter, lemon slices, and garlic.
4. Sprinkle on salt and pepper.
5. Fold the foil to seal the salmon inside.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until it flakes easily.
7. Open the foil carefully and serve.

4) Olive Oil and Garlic Roasted Salmon

Roasting salmon with olive oil and garlic is as straightforward as it sounds. It lets the flavor of the fish shine through.

Olive oil keeps everything moist, and garlic adds a warm aroma. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C), drizzle olive oil over the salmon, and sprinkle on some minced garlic.

Add salt and maybe a bit of thyme if you’re feeling fancy. Roast for about 15 minutes.

The salmon should be cooked through but still tender. This one’s a weeknight staple for me.

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets
• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt, to taste
• Fresh thyme (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Place salmon on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
3. Drizzle olive oil over the fillets.
4. Sprinkle garlic and salt.
5. Add thyme if you want.
6. Roast for 15 minutes or until just cooked.
7. Serve warm.

5) Quick Air Fryer Salmon with Old Bay

Got an air fryer? You can have salmon ready in 10 to 15 minutes. Old Bay seasoning gives it a nice kick.

Rub the salmon with oil and Old Bay, then pop the fillets in the air fryer basket. You’ll get a crispy outside and tender inside.

This is perfect when you need something healthy and fast. Not much cleanup, either.

Ingredients

• 2 salmon fillets
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 to 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
• Salt to taste
• Lemon wedges (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
2. Rub salmon with olive oil.
3. Sprinkle Old Bay and salt on both sides.
4. Place fillets in the basket.
5. Cook for 10–12 minutes, until flaky.
6. Serve with lemon wedges if you want.

6) Balsamic Vinegar and Lemon Pepper Salmon

Balsamic vinegar and lemon pepper make a tangy, zesty salmon that’s hard to beat.

Brush your salmon fillet with olive oil, then drizzle on balsamic and sprinkle lemon pepper seasoning.

A squeeze of lemon juice brightens things up. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 12-15 minutes.

You end up with something simple, quick, and full of flavor.

Ingredients

• ½ pound boneless salmon fillet
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Brush salmon with olive oil.
3. Drizzle balsamic vinegar over the top.
4. Sprinkle on lemon pepper.
5. Add lemon juice.
6. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until flaky.

7) Pan-Seared Garlic Butter Salmon

If you like a crisp crust, pan-searing’s the way to go. Start by heating a pan with butter and garlic.

Cooking the salmon on medium-high heat gives you that golden crust and keeps the inside juicy.

Keep basting the salmon with the garlic butter as it cooks. It adds tons of flavor and keeps the fish moist.

Finish with a squeeze of lemon. It’s fast and works for any weeknight.

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets (6 ounces each)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high.
2. Season salmon with salt and pepper.
3. Place salmon skin-side down, cook 4-5 minutes until crisp.
4. Flip, add butter and garlic.
5. Baste with garlic butter, cook 3-4 more minutes.
6. Remove from heat, squeeze lemon over before serving.

Want more details? Check out garlic butter salmon ideas at RecipeTin Eats.

8) Simple Oven-Baked Salmon with Herbs

This one’s all about letting the herbs and lemon do the work. You get moist, flaky salmon with a fresh kick from rosemary or dill.

Season the salmon with salt, pepper, and garlic. Drizzle on olive oil and add your favorite herbs.

Wrap it in foil or use a baking dish. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 12–15 minutes, until the fish flakes.

Switch up the herbs if you want—parsley, thyme, or rosemary all work. This recipe’s easy on a busy night but still feels a bit special.

Ingredients

• 1 lb salmon fillet
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary or dill
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 lemon, sliced

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place salmon on a baking dish or in foil.
3. Drizzle olive oil over the top.
4. Sprinkle garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper.
5. Lay lemon slices on top.
6. Bake 12–15 minutes, until it flakes.
7. Serve warm.

For more tips and tweaks, check this baked salmon with herbs and lemon recipe.

9) Lemon Juice and Herb Crusted Salmon

Fresh lemon juice and herbs make a tasty crust for salmon. The lemon pops with brightness, and the herbs bring a savory, green vibe.

Rub the salmon with garlic, herbs, and lemon juice. Toss it in the oven and let it bake until the fish turns tender and flakes apart.

The crust keeps the salmon juicy and adds a bit of crunch. I usually serve it with veggies or maybe some rice—whatever’s around, honestly.

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Mix lemon juice, garlic, parsley, dill, salt, pepper, and olive oil.
3. Spread the mixture over the salmon fillets evenly.
4. Place salmon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes until fish flakes easily with a fork.

10) Honey Soy Glazed Salmon

Honey soy glazed salmon is one of those easy, crowd-pleasing dishes. The glaze blends honey, soy sauce, garlic, and lemon juice for a sweet and savory punch.

You can cook the salmon on the stove or just throw it in the oven. Just make sure it flakes apart with a fork; that’s how you know it’s done.

The glaze thickens and coats the fish as it cooks. This recipe takes about 20 to 30 minutes, tops, which is pretty ideal for a weeknight.

Ingredients

• 1 pound salmon fillets
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 ½ tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon butter or oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Grab a pan and heat some butter or oil over medium.

2. Toss in the garlic. Let it sizzle until it smells amazing—should take about a minute.

3. Now, pour in the honey, soy sauce, and a splash of lemon juice. Let everything bubble together until it thickens up just a bit.

4. Lay the salmon in the pan, skin-side down. Give it 4 or 5 minutes.

5. Flip the salmon over. Let it go for another 4 to 5 minutes, until it’s cooked through.

6. While the salmon cooks, spoon that glossy glaze right over the top. Serve it up warm, and enjoy.

For more details, check out this honey garlic soy salmon recipe.