Flakey, tender and full of flavor, this lemon and thyme salmon recipe is so simple and easy to make. Ready to serve in 20 minutes, this is a hassle free dinner that tastes so good!
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I'm always trying to get more fish into our weekly meals, a great source of protein and healthy fats, and most importantly, when it's cooked like this it's super delicious and so quick to make!
This lemon and thyme baked salmon recipe is ready to serve in just 20 minutes and it's become a popular weeknight dinner for us. Seasoned with earthy thyme and zesty lemon, the salmon comes out perfectly flaky every single time.
Be sure to try my Honey Salmon Kebabs and Sweet Chili Salmon too!
Why you will love this recipe!
- Minimal prep time: Just sprinkle over the seasonings and pop it in the oven. Simple!
- Great as part of a well balanced dinner: Pair this salmon with your favorite veggie and potato sides and you have one delicious meal on your plate.
- So easy: When you don't have time on your side, this is a great recipe to use. A few basic seasonings with no complicated techniques, and best of all, clean up is minimal!
- Dietary info: This recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free and low carb.
Ingredients and Notes
- Salmon: I used a fresh Atlantic salmon fillet for this recipe. You can use one large fillet or several smaller ones. I prefer to bake the salmon with the skin on to protect the flesh.
- Oil: Use a neutral flavored oil with a high smoke point like canola, vegetable, avocado or olive oil.
- Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder and dried thyme.
- Lemon: Use a fresh lemon cut into slices to lay on top of the salmon during cooking.
- Optional: Fresh thyme for garnish.
How to make lemon and thyme salmon
Be sure to scroll down for the full recipe!
- Pat the salmon fillet with kitchen paper to remove excess moisture and place skin side down on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
- Rub the oil over the salmon flesh and evenly sprinkle the rest of the seasonings on top.
- Place lemon slices on top of the salmon and bake in the oven.
Serving Suggestions
This salmon dinner is perfect to serve up with a side of salad or veggies, potatoes or rice, for a delicious and well balanced meal. Try it with some of these favorite recipes:
Cold leftover salmon can be easily flaked into a salad for a delicious lunch.
Recipe Variations
- For a more lemony flavor, you can add lemon zest to the top of the salmon before baking.
- I love the combination of lemon and thyme, but you can use other dried herbs like parsley, oregano or basil.
- Try adding a couple of pats of butter to the top of the salmon for an extra rich flavor.
Make Ahead and Storage
You can season the salmon a couple of hours ahead of baking it. Keep it covered in the fridge until you are ready to cook.
Once cooked, it is best served straight away, but leftovers will keep well for 3 to 4 days in the fridge. Leftovers can be eaten cold, or warmed in the oven at 360F / 180c for 10 minutes to warm through. Cover loosely with foil when reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
I prefer to use dried thyme as fresh thyme is more likely to burn in the oven. I like to garnish with some fresh thyme once the salmon is cooked for a flavor boost.
I prefer to bake salmon with the skin on as it helps to protect the bottom of the flesh from getting too hot or drying out. You can easily remove the skin after baking if you prefer not to eat it.
You can, but I always prefer the taste and texture of fresh salmon. Frozen salmon contains more water, so it can turn out mushy when cooked and it tends to have a more fishy flavor.
If you do use frozen salmon, thaw it fully at room temperature and pat well with paper towel to remove as much excess water as you can before oiling and seasoning.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- Make sure your oven is fully preheated before baking the salmon.
- Pat the salmon dry before seasonings it to remove any excess moisture.
- Sprinkle the seasonings as evenly as you can over the salmon fillet. I like to use a spoon for this.
- The salmon is cooked when it is opaque in color and easily flakes with a fork.
More Salmon Recipes
Lemon and Thyme Baked Salmon Recipe
Ingredients
- 1.3 pounds fresh salmon fillet (skin on) (600g)
- 1 tablespoon oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¾ tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 lemon (sliced)
Optional garnish
- fresh thyme
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 390F / 200c.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the salmon on the baking sheet, skin side down, and pat gently with kitchen paper to remove excess moisture.1.3 pounds fresh salmon fillet (skin on)
- Rub the oil all over the salmon fillet.1 tablespoon oil
- Evenly sprinkle over the rest of the seasonings.½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon paprika, ¾ tablespoon dried thyme
- Place the lemon slices on top of the salmon.1 lemon
- Bake for 10-14 minutes, depending ton the thickness of your salmon fillet. It is done when it is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Remove from the oven, sprinkle with fresh thyme (if using) and serve.fresh thyme
Notes
- Make sure your oven is fully preheated before baking the salmon.
- Pat the salmon dry before seasonings it to remove any excess moisture.
- Sprinkle the seasonings as evenly as you can over the salmon fillet. I like to use a spoon for this.
- The salmon is cooked when it is opaque in color and easily flakes with a fork.
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