4-Ingredient Baked Salmon

Crisp on the outside and tender and buttery on the inside, this 4-ingredient baked salmon recipe is the easiest and most delicious way to prepare fish at home! With just a few pantry staples like soy sauce, maple syrup, and honey, you can create a healthy and family-friendly dinner in just 30 minutes. Serve the sweet and savory fish with a side of roasted broccoli, fluffy white rice, or a Ramen noodle salad.

Oven Baked Salmon

This baked salmon is easy, healthy, and perfect for busy nights! The fish marinates in soy sauce for savory umami flavor, bakes in the oven for 10 minutes, and then gets a coating of maple and honey glaze before finishing under the broiler. The sugars in the glaze caramelize, giving the salmon that great crispy exterior without overcooking or drying out the fish. It's seafood dinner perfection -- and your kids will love it!

Ingredients

This is a quick overview of the 4 ingredients that you'll need for this delicious baked salmon recipe. As always, specific measurements and complete cooking instructions are included in the printable recipe box at the bottom of the post.

• Salmon: use as many fillets as you need. For instance, cut the recipe in half and prepare just two salmon filets if you're feeding a smaller family. This is coho salmon (since that's what is readily available near me), but you can use wild-caught Alaskan salmon, Atlantic salmon, or farm-raised salmon. Whatever you prefer -- it all has great health benefits and is full of omega-3 fatty acids.
• Soy sauce: let the salmon sit and marinate in the soy sauce for about 15 minutes while you preheat the oven. This adds a delicious, salty, umami taste to the fish. I prefer less-sodium soy sauce, but any variety will work.
• Maple syrup and honey: sweet components for the glaze, which pair so nicely with the salty soy sauce. The sugars in the honey and maple syrup caramelize under the broiler, giving the fish that delicious crispy, charred exterior.

How to Bake Salmon

This simple 4 ingredient recipe saves the day when you need a healthy, easy meal on the table quickly.

1. Place the salmon skin side down on a foil or parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet.
2. Pat dry with paper towels.
3. Brush the salmon fillets with soy sauce, and then let the fish sit and "marinate" while you preheat the oven.
4. Bake in a 425°F oven for 10 minutes.
5. While the fish is in the oven, whisk together the honey and maple syrup in a small bowl.
6. Brush the salmon with the honey mixture.
7. Place the fish under the broiler for 2-3 more minutes, or until the outside is crispy and the inside flakes easily with a fork.

What temp should salmon be cooked to?

You know the salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork. If you're using an instant read thermometer, the USDA recommends a minimum internal temperature of 145°F, which should be measured at the thickest part of the fillet.

What to Serve with Baked Salmon

Easy baked salmon recipes are so versatile, and pair well with almost any of your favorite veggies and sides! Here are some easy ideas to get you started:

• Mashed Potatoes, Baked Potatoes or Grilled Potatoes
• Rice Salad with Corn, Bacon and Pimentos or Rice Pilaf
• Garlic Oven Roasted Broccoli
• Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
• Southern Succotash or Fried Corn
• Amish Green Beans with Brown Butter, Southern Style Green Beans or Green Beans with Brown Butter
• Couscous Salad
• Oven Roasted Asparagus
• Sauteed Spinach or Sauteed Zucchini
• Homemade Crescent Rolls or Soft Dinner Rolls
• Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits, Aunt Bee's 3-Ingredient Buttermilk Biscuits, Southern Buttermilk Biscuits, Cheese Biscuits, or Drop Biscuits
• Cranberry Muffins or Cranberry Bread
• Skillet Cornbread, Jalapeño Cheddar Mexican Cornbread, Old-Fashioned Corn Sticks, Honey Cornbread, Sweet Cornbread Muffins with Brown Sugar, or Corn Muffins
• Pumpkin Bread or Pumpkin Muffins
• Ramen Noodle Salad, Wedge Salad, Classic Caesar Salad, House Salad with Candied Pecans, or a Green Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette
• Easy French Baguette, Jalapeño Cheddar Bread, or No-Knead Dutch Oven Bread
• Cheddar Chive Beer Bread {No Yeast, No Knead} or Honey Beer Bread

Storage

Leftover salmon will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. 

Leftovers can also be frozen for 4-6 months, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Thaw cooked salmon in the refrigerator or immersed in cold water. Use cooked, thawed salmon in salads or as a substitution for canned salmon in casseroles, pasta dishes, sandwiches, or wraps.

Recipe Variations

• Season the salmon with even more herbs and spices. For instance, add a dash of garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika; try our favorite all-purpose seasoning blend; or use parsley, rosemary, thyme, or basil.
• For even more flavorful "kick," add fresh ginger to the honey glaze.
• Cooking Just for Two? Cut the recipe in half and bake according to the recipe instructions.
• For a larger group, bake even more salmon fillets.
• Garnish with sliced green onion, fresh herbs, or lemon juice for a bright, fresh touch. Crushed red pepper flakes add a delicious spicy flavor, while toasted sesame seeds give the fish extra crunchy texture and subtle nutty flavor.

Tips for the Best Baked Salmon Recipe

• If you're starting with frozen salmon, let the salmon thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using in this recipe.
• Pat the fish dry with paper towels before brushing with soy sauce.
• Line the baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. This makes cleanup easy!
• Wait to season the fish with salt and pepper until it's done and you can taste it. The soy sauce adds a good amount of sodium to the salmon, so you might not need any extra salt.
• The total cooking time will vary depending on the size, temperature, and thickness of your fish when it goes into the oven. As a result, keep a close eye on the salmon and remove it as soon as the outside is crisp and the inside flakes easily with a fork. If using a meat thermometer, you're looking for an internal temperature of 145°F in the thickest part of the fish.

More Easy Salmon Recipes to Try

• Salmon Patties {a great way to use up leftovers!}
• Orange Salmon
• The Perfect 15-Minute Grilled Salmon
• Easy Weeknight Salmon Sandwich
• 4-Ingredient Brown Sugar Dijon Roasted Salmon
• Salmon Marinade with Lemon, Garlic, and Herbs
• 5-Ingredient Blackened Salmon
• Salmon with Dill Sauce
• Easy Baked Salmon Fillet
• How to Bake Salmon in Foil
• Sheet Pan Dinner: Maple Glazed Salmon with Sweet Potatoes
• Parmesan Herb Baked Salmon Fillet
• Honey Soy Glazed Salmon
• Teriyaki Salmon
• Garlic and Herb Poached Salmon
• Maple Pecan Crusted Salmon

Print Pin

5 from 1 vote

4-Ingredient Baked Salmon

Crisp on the outside and tender and buttery on the inside, this 4-ingredient baked salmon recipe is the easiest and most delicious way to prepare fish at home!

Course Dinner

Cuisine American, Asian

Keyword baked salmon, Baked Salmon Fillet, baked salmon recipe, Quick Salmon Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 13 minutes

Resting Time 15 minutes

Total Time 33 minutes

Servings 4 servings

Calories 235kcal

Author Blair Lonergan

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets (about 5-6 ounces each)
• 2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste
• Optional garnish: sliced green onion, toasted sesame seeds, crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• Line a rimmed baking sheet or large baking dish with aluminum foil (for easy cleanup) and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
• Place salmon skin-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Pat dry with paper towels.
• Brush some of the soy sauce onto each salmon fillet. Let the salmon sit and marinate at room temperature for about 15 minutes.
• Cook the salmon on the top rack of the oven for 10 minutes.
• While the salmon is in the oven, whisk together the honey and maple syrup in a small bowl.
• Remove the salmon from the oven and baste with the honey mixture.
• Turn the oven setting to "BROIL" on high. Place the salmon about 4-6 inches from the broiler. Broil for 2-3 more minutes, or until the outside is crispy and the fish flakes easily with a fork.
• Garnish with green onion, sesame seeds, or crushed red pepper flakes. Serve immediately.

Notes

• Season the salmon with even more herbs and spices. For instance, add a dash of garlic powder or onion powder, try our favorite all-purpose seasoning blend, or use parsley, rosemary, thyme, or basil.
• For even more flavorful "kick," add fresh ginger to the honey glaze.
• Cooking Just for Two? Cut the recipe in half and bake according to the recipe instructions.
• For a larger group, bake even more salmon fillets.
• If you're starting with frozen salmon, let the salmon thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using in this recipe.
• Pat the fish dry with paper towels before brushing with soy sauce.
• Line the baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. This makes cleanup easy!
• Wait to season the fish with salt and pepper until it's done and you can taste it. The soy sauce adds a good amount of sodium to the salmon, so you might not need any extra salt.
• The total cooking time will vary depending on the size, temperature, and thickness of your fish when it goes into the oven. As a result, keep a close eye on the salmon and remove it as soon as the outside is crisp and the inside flakes easily with a fork. If using a meat thermometer, you're looking for an internal temperature of 145°F in the thickest part of the fish.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/4 of the recipe | Calories: 235kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 330mg | Potassium: 723mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 57IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg

This recipe was originally published in January, 2018. It was updated in March, 2022.