Dijon Baked Salmon - The Best Baked Salmon Recipe | Downshiftology (2024)

Home Recipes Courses Dinner Dijon Baked Salmon

by Lisa Bryan

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Updated May 21, 2023

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Dijon baked salmon is one of my all-time favorite easy salmon recipes. It’s incredibly flavorful, moist, flaky, and a healthy dinner recipe that’s made in under 30 minutes!

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You guys know I’m a huge fan of salmon for all of its health benefits. It’s a brain-boosting, immune-boosting, omega-3 powerhouse. And let’s be honest, it just tastes so darn good.

There are many ways you can prepare salmon, from frying, to sautéing, to smoking and broiling. But today I’m sharing with you an incredibly easy baked salmon recipe, and one that you’ll likely have on repeat because the flavor is off-the-charts…Dijon baked salmon.

The simple herbed dijon mustard spread is bright, tangy, and creamy, and keeps the salmon perfectly moist as it bakes. Trust me, you’re going to love it.

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Dijon Baked Salmon Ingredients

There’s just a handful of easy-to-find ingredients in this recipe. But when they work together, the result is one fabulous dish!

  • Salmon: You can use one large filet or individual filets, it’s up to you.
  • Parsley: Just a handful of fresh herbs adds an amazing punch of flavor.
  • Dijon Mustard: The distinctive flavor of Dijon is what makes this recipe so darn good. I don’t recommend yellow mustard as a substitute.
  • Lemon Juice: A little bit of lemon juice gives the Dijon spread zing.
  • Oil: Avocado oil or olive oil will work here.
  • Garlic: Garlic always adds a little savory, aromatic oomph.
  • Salt, And Pepper: Season to your liking.

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

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Which Type Of Salmon To Buy

I always recommend buying the highest quality of wild-caught salmon that your budget allows. I mention this in the video below and chat about why I love King Salmon, Sockeye Salmon and Coho Salmon. And why I always steer clear of Atlantic Salmon (hint: I’m no fan of pollutants, antibiotics and toxins in my fish).

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How to Make Dijon Baked Salmon In 3 Steps

  • Stir together the chopped parsley, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, avocado oil, garlic cloves, salt and pepper in a small mixing bowl.
  • Slather that Dijon mixture on top of the salmon.
  • Bake the salmon for 18-20 minutes in a 375 degree Fahrenheit oven.

A Few Extra Tips

  • Many people cover their salmon with parchment paper or aluminum foil to keep it moist when baking. But I promise, if you add this layer of Dijon to the top of your baked salmon, not only will it stay incredibly moist, it will be abundantly flavorful. No need to cover.
  • I slightly undercook my salmon just to ensure it stays moist, especially as it will continue to cook for several minutes after you’ve removed it from the oven.
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Ways To Serve Baked Salmon

Once you divide your salmon into pieces, there’s so many ways to serve it up! Round out a plate with your favorite veggies, make it a hearty salad, or add it to a grain bowl. Here’s a few ideas:

  • Serve it alongside veggies. Whip up a quick veggie such as garlic sautéed spinach, garlic ginger bok choy, or sautéed cabbage. And if you’re a fan of roasted veggies, roasted sweet potatoes, roasted broccoli, or roasted Brussels sprouts will make for a perfect pairing.
  • Flake it into a salad. Add it to a big bed of leafy greens, fresh cut veggies such as cucumber, red onion, tomatoes, radish, and a drizzle of lemon vinaigrette.
  • Add it to a buddha bowl. Start with your favorite grain, such as rice or quinoa. Then layer on fresh and roasted veggies, and lastly, top with your salmon piece.

For More Tasty Salmon Ideas

Make sure to check out my list of easy salmon recipes and these reader favorites:

  • Best Baked Salmon (so easy!)
  • Salmon Patties
  • Smoked Salmon Frittata
  • Salmon Avocado Salad
  • Grilled Salmon Steaks
  • Cedar Plank Salmon

If you make this Dijon baked salmon, let me know how it turned out! I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below.

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Dijon Baked Salmon

4.84 from 147 votes

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 20 minutes mins

Total: 25 minutes mins

Servings: 5 servings

Author: Lisa Bryan

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Description

This Dijon baked salmon is incredibly flavorful, moist, and flaky, and a healthy dinner recipe that’s made in under 30 minutes. Watch the video below!

Video

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pounds salmon, King, Sockeye or Coho salmon
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • ¼ cup Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix together the mustard, parsley, lemon juice, oil, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.

    Dijon Baked Salmon - The Best Baked Salmon Recipe | Downshiftology (8)

  • Place the salmon on a parchment lined baking tray and generously coat the top of the salmon with the herbed mustard mix.

    Dijon Baked Salmon - The Best Baked Salmon Recipe | Downshiftology (9)

  • Bake the salmon for 18 to 20 minutes (depending on size and thickness), then slice it into individual portions and serve immediately.

    Dijon Baked Salmon - The Best Baked Salmon Recipe | Downshiftology (10)

Lisa’s Tips

  • You could easily make this recipe with 4-6 individual salmon fillets, rather than one large fillet.
  • If you’re following Whole30, I recommend this Dijon mustard which is Whole30 compliant. I also have many more Whole30 recipes in the recipe index.
  • And if you’re looking for some tasty meal prep recipes, this Dijon baked salmon is always tops on my list. I’ll gladly eat this salmon several days in a row! Make sure to watch my meal prep video for more weekly recipe ideas.

Nutrition

Calories: 249.7kcal | Carbohydrates: 1.9g | Protein: 30.5g | Fat: 13.4g | Saturated Fat: 1.7g | Cholesterol: 87.1mg | Sodium: 371mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 0.3g

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: baked salmon, dijon baked salmon, salmon recipes

©Downshiftology. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @downshiftology or tag #downshiftology!

Recipe originally posted February 2018, but updated to include new information.

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About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

Read More About Me

Dijon Baked Salmon - The Best Baked Salmon Recipe | Downshiftology (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to best salmon? ›

A dry brine gives you firmer, juicier fish fillets with kettle-chip-crisp skin. Credit... Gentl and Hyers for The New York Times.

Should salmon be covered or uncovered when baking? ›

Baked salmon is best when cooked at 425°F in the oven.

Even thicker fillets don't take long. We recommend baking the salmon uncovered. Simply rub the fillets with a little oil, sprinkle them with salt and pepper, then place them in the roasting pan skin-side down before popping them in the oven.

What is the best temperature to bake salmon? ›

What is the best temperature to bake salmon? 400°F (205°C) is ideal as it allows the fish to gain colour and the skin to become crispy. If you prefer a milder method, you can bake it at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes or until done. The salmon baked at 425°F (215°C) produces tender, creamy fillets that cook quickly.

What can I put on salmon to make it taste better? ›

Here are some spices you may have that could be good as part of a homemade salmon seasoning.
  1. Paprika.
  2. Chile/Chili powder.
  3. Garlic powder/salt.
  4. Ground cumin.
  5. Onion powder.
  6. Ground ginger.

What should I put on top of my salmon? ›

A creamy but slightly tangy sauce works really well with salmon, and it's why sour cream-dill sauce over salmon is such a classic. Try mixing in curry powder, Sriracha, or scallions into yogurt or crème fraîche for an easy, elegant salmon topper.

Is salmon better in foil or no foil? ›

The foil helps cook the fish faster and just all around better. Another reason is that it's a healthy way to cook fish. Yes, salmon is already a very healthy fish. But if you cook it in foil, you don't have to use a lot of oil or butter to cook it.

What is the very best way to cook salmon? ›

Pan-frying or pan-searing is one of the best ways to cook salmon fillets. It's quick, easy, and gives the fish that perfect crispy, crunchy skin. A simple pan-fried salmon is the secret to a flavorful and healthy weeknight dinner in 30 minutes or less. Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper.

How to tell when salmon is done? ›

Internal temperature: Use an instant-read meat thermometer; the salmon should register 145°F (63°C) at its thickest part. Flakiness: When gently pressed with a fork, the fish should easily flake apart. Avoid overcooking, as it can dry out the salmon. Cook with the skin side down for best results.

How to season salmon? ›

Using your hands or a brush, rub a dollop of quality olive oil on the flesh side of your salmon filet. Next, season generously with kosher sea salt and pepper. For a classic flavor, try adding garlic powder, dried basil, dried parsley, and onion powder. If you want a smokier taste, use paprika, chile powder, or cumin.

What is the most delicious salmon in the world? ›

Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tschawytscha), also known as King salmon, is considered by many to be the best-tasting of the salmon bunch. This large variety has a high-fat content and corresponding rich flesh that ranges from white to a deep red color.

What is the tastiest way to cook salmon? ›

Wrap your salmon in a parchment packet with aromatics, citrus, veggies, and a drizzle of olive oil. The steam trapped in the packet will infuse the fish with flavor and cook it gently, making it tender and juicy. Bonus: The parchment packets only take about 15 minutes at 425°F and the cleanup is minimal.

What brings out the flavor of salmon? ›

Spices: Dried spices, such as onion powder, garlic powder, and cumin, can add depth of flavor to salmon. Smoked paprika or sweet paprika can add smokiness to the salmon. To add heat, try chili powder, cayenne pepper, jerk seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or Chinese five-spice powder.

Why do you soak salmon in milk? ›

Apparently, the proteins present in milk can bind to the fatty acids that have been exposed to air and give salmon its fishy odor or taste and mitigate them to be more neutral. (Fishiness is caused by the oxidation of fatty acids.)

What is the highest quality salmon? ›

There's a reason this species is at the top of the list and earned itself the royal moniker: King salmon is considered by many to be the best salmon money can buy. It's rich, high in fat, and big. The average weight of a king salmon is 40 pounds, but they can weigh as much as 135 pounds or as little as 20-something.

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