Salmon is a great, high-fat protein that you can cook in the oven. The cooking process won't take much longer than 20 minutes, and it will taste delicious. When prepared properly, salmon is a healthy way to get your daily dose of omega-3s, which are important for brain health.
In this blog post, we'll discuss how to make oven-baked salmon with a simple recipe. We'll also go over some easy tips for getting the best results from this dish with minimal work on your end. Plus, we'll give you a few suggestions for what to serve with this juicy meal. So if you're feeling a little lazy in the kitchen today, keep reading!
How to Cook Salmon in the Oven
Salmon is a simple fish that's loaded with omega-3s, protein and healthy fats. Because it cooks quickly and has a mild flavor, it's perfect for cooking salmon in the oven. All you need to do is cover your salmon with a wet paper towel and set it in the oven for about 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, the paper towel should be dry, and the skin should be crisp.
The best thing about salmon in the oven is that you can do a lot of prep work before putting it in the oven. The key is to get your fish prepped and any other ingredients you're using the night before. That way, you won't spend as much time in the kitchen in the morning.
Tips for Cooked Salmon
If you don't already have a way to defrost a package of salmon, you may want to consider letting it defrost for a few hours on the counter or in the fridge. Not only will it be ready when you're ready to eat it, but the more time that the salmon spends under cold air, the less fat it will absorb from the fish.
If you want to prep a salmon fillet at the store, check to make sure the salmon doesn't have any large pieces of skin and other exterior material attached to it. This is especially true for large fish such as swordfish.
Plan ahead for cooking times: it's usually better to cook your salmon a few hours before you want to eat it, so that you have some time to go back and defrost it after you're done cooking.
Recipes To Serve with Baked Salmon
Roasted Potatoes with Rosemary is a crowd-pleaser and easy to make. Plus, you'll have leftovers to bring to work with you the next day!
Roasted Vegetables
One thing I like to do when making salmon is serve it with roasted vegetables. As the name suggests, this is a dish that's served with raw or cooked vegetables. For example, you could serve this with cooked onions or peppers or even turn the salmon into a bowl of vegetable soup. The idea behind roasting vegetables is to make them extra flavorful, adding more flavor than they would normally get.
But how do you turn these bland vegetables into something awesome? Thankfully, the internet is a wealth of information. Just pick a recipe that sounds interesting to you, and you should be good to go. Or, if you need some inspiration, try out this food porn recipe.
Side of Quinoa
To bake salmon in the oven, you'll need to purchase a salmon filet that's smaller than the diameter of the pot you're using. This will help to maximize the surface area of the salmon, which will cook it faster than larger filets.
An exact, ratio of 2-1/4 ounces (85 grams) of salmon per 1/2 cup (125 mL) of water is a good rule of thumb. However, we all know that cooking times vary from oven to oven, and if you don't measure exactly, this guideline will be incorrect for the average oven.
The Rule of Thumb Rules for How To Cook Salmon in the Oven
For me, this is a good rule of thumb. I cook salmon in a 9×13 inch (23.5×33.5 cm) pan, making for a great bake-in-the-pan meal. The fish will cook up tender, juicy and flavorful. When baking fish in the oven, you have to keep in mind that the thicker your cut of salmon is, the longer it'll take to cook.
You can purchase foil into three-inch strips that are approximately 3 inches wide. After you fold each side into itself, you can form each strip into a triangle. This will help you cut your foil into smaller squares and wrap up your fish without wasting any material.
Roasted Potatoes
A great way to get your veggies in is to prepare them on the same day as the salmon or other protein. Roasted potatoes take about 5 minutes to prepare, so you'll be ready to make dinner in a jiffy. Roast a handful of spuds, mash them, and you'll have a healthy side dish for the salmon.
Creamy Dressing
Salmon might be delicious on its own, but the rest of your meal has to match its amazing flavor. For that to happen, the dish needs to be nicely accented with something healthy and savory. The creamy, vinaigrette-based dressing is the perfect choice for adding a flavorful punch to salmon.
Final Thoughts
It's difficult to argue against the fact that salmon is one of the world's best foods, but the cooking process can be a little daunting for beginners. It takes time and patience to create a perfect piece of fish, and that's why it's best to stick to the recipes of experts.
Oven-baked salmon is one of those dishes, and it's easy to prepare. While most of the recipes require a few minor preparations, the rest are mostly hands-off. The best part is that you'll receive delicious results every time. Now all you have to do is get your oven ready and get cooking!
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