Make the best Keto Baked Salmon Recipe with a herbed mustard sauce for a light and satisfying low-carb dinner that’s also gluten-free, Whole30, and Paleo-friendly.
Hey Foodies!
I’m excited to share this delicious new oven baked Salmon fillet recipe. It’s a healthy keto dinner with a simple but flavorful mustard-herb sauce that cooks on one pan in the oven. If you’re ready to get cooking, start with my best Tips & Tricks for this keto salmon recipe below, including ingredient swaps, baking instructions, and more.
Keto Baked Salmon Recipe – Best Tips & Tricks
1. Which ingredients can be changed in this Keto baked salmon recipe?
You can easily customize the marinade with any of your favorite fresh herbs. For example, I love adding finely chopped rosemary, cilantro, tarragon, or picked thyme. To infuse the salmon with more flavor, let it marinate for up to 1 hour in the fridge.
If you’re out of lemon, substitute it with another citrus, such as orange juice. In addition, you can add a pop of saltiness with two tablespoons of chopped capers with brine.
If you’re a cheese fan like me, add a sprinkle of finely grated parmesan to the marinade. I recommend using about two tablespoons. Also, you’ll want to add less salt since the parmesan is quite salty too.
In terms of mustard, use your favorite! Dijon, yellow, or whole-grain all work well. If you’re following a specific diet, just make sure it’s paleo, Whole30, or keto compliant.
2. What to serve with oven baked salmon fillet?
I love to serve the easy baked salmon with roasted veggies. Try asparagus, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, mini sweet peppers, or broccoli. For more of a condiment, try mango salsa, Texas caviar, or Buffalo Cauliflower Wings.
Or, if you’re looking for something heartier, I recommend mashed potatoes or skillet fried potatoes.
3. What is the best sauce for this easy baked salmon recipe?
To keep it keto compliant, serve the oven-baked salmon fillet with an easy spicy ranch dip.
If you’re not avoiding dairy, you might love a simple dill yogurt sauce. Or something simple as Dijon mustard works great too! However, if you’re not on any specific diet, then I love roasted salmon with sweet chili sauce.
4. Best way to cook a salmon fillet
While you can cook salmon fillets in many different ways, my favorite is to bake them in the oven. It’s super easy and you don’t have to keep an eye on it like you would if cooking it on the stovetop.
Here’s (in my opinion) the best baked salmon recipe in the world:
- Preheat the oven to 425°F/220°C. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Place the salmon on the prepared sheet pan and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle or spray with a bit of cooking oil.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes. The cooking time depends on the size and thickness of your fillets. I find that wild salmon tends to be thinner and cooks faster than farm-raised salmon.
5. Best way to bake salmon fillets?
The key to baking the best salmon is a good rimmed sheet pan. Use one that’s non-stick and place the salmon skin-side down. This way, you’ll get a nice crispy skin.
If you don’t have a perfect sheet pan or you’re not a salmon skin fan, you can use any sheet pan you have and line it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This will make the cleanup easy breezy. However, the skin of the salmon might not get as crispy.
I don’t recommend using aluminum foil to bake salmon. This is because the flavor of aluminum can transfer to your food when cooked at high temperatures. Studies have raised concerns that this could be harmful to your health.Â
6. What’s the best temperature to bake salmon and for how long?
I find the temperature for the best baked salmon recipe is 425°F/220°C. The oven needs to be preheated at least 10 minutes prior to cooking.
If your salmon fillets are small, then cooking for about 12 minutes should be enough. However, if they’re bigger, then go for 12-15 minutes. Check after 12 to avoid overcooking.Â
Here is how to know when your salmon is done: The salmon should be juicy and flake easily when pressed with a fork. Overcooked salmon is super firm, dry and will crumble when you cut into it.Â
7. What is the internal temp of cooked salmon?
Your keto baked salmon should reach a minimum internal temperature of 145°F to be considered safe to eat.
8. How to cook frozen salmon in the oven
If you want to make this keto baked salmon recipe but only have frozen fillets, fear not. There are two easy ways to make oven-baked salmon with frozen fish:
Option one: Thaw it
If time allows, place the frozen salmon fillets in the fridge to thaw overnight. Or to speed up the process, place them in cold water for about 30 minutes. Keep the salmon in a tight-fitted bag if thawing it in water. Otherwise, the fish will absorb water and lose flavor and texture.Â
Finally, when the salmon is thawed, continue to follow the keto salmon recipe as written.
Option Two: Cook from frozen
This method works best for small salmon fillets, about 4.5 ounces. I don’t recommend baking large salmon fillets from frozen, because the meat will dry out.
To make easy baked salmon with frozen fillet:
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Place the fillets on a sheet pan or baking dish and cover them with parchment paper.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes covered. Then cover and bake for 8-10 more minutes. The total cooking times depend on the size and thickness of your fillets.
9. Is this Keto Salmon Recipe good for meal planning?
This keto baked salmon recipe is great for meal prep! For an easy sheet pan dinner, toss some veggies on the baking sheet, to roast along with the fish.
Opt for quick-cooking veggies like asparagus, baby bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, or zucchini. Or, if you want to make potatoes, cauliflower, or Brussels sprouts, use a separate baking sheet and add a few more minutes to the cooking time.
Once the salmon and veggies are done, allow them to completely cool. Then transfer everything into meal prep containers. Refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 1 month.
When you’re ready serve, reheat the meal in the microwave or on the stove and dig in!
10. How to use leftovers
Leftover keto baked salmon is a great thing to have in the fridge. You can easily turn it into salmon patties, salmon avocado salad, or salmon quinoa bowls. Another great way to use your leftover salmon is to roll it into homemade sushi! Â
11. What is the best seasoning for this oven baked salmon fillet recipe?
In my opinion, the best mixture of seasonings for salmon has a major umami factor! In addition, I like to balance out my seasoning blend with the other flavors (sweet, sour, bitter, and salty):
- For sweetness, try honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar.
- Lemon or lime juice contributes sourness.
- For just the right amount of bitter flavor, add a sprinkle of lemon zest.
- And finally, a good flaky salt like a smoked Maldon adds delicious saltiness and complexity.
From here, you can add a bit of olive or avocado oil, or melted butter, and any of your favorite dried or fresh seasonings. Try chopped or dried herbs like oregano, Italian seasoning, chives, parsley, cilantro, thyme.
Related Keto Recipes:
And that was it for today, my dear foodies. By now, I am sure you know how to make the best baked salmon recipe, so I won’t keep you any longer.
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Keto Baked Salmon Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets - 4oz/113g each
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp French yellow mustard
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley - chopped
- 2 tbsp chives - chopped
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes - or to taste
- 2 garlic cloves - pressed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and position a rack on the top level. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Lay the salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet, skin-side-down. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- In a small bowl, add the remaining ingredients and whisk well to combine.
- Pour this mixture over the salmon and use your clean hands to gently rub it all over the top and sides.
- Bake for 12 min and no more than 15 min to avoid overcooking the fish. The salmon should be juicy and flake easily when pressed on the top with a fork. Overcooked salmon is super-firm, dry and it will crumble when you cut into it.
Recipe Notes
- For ingredient swaps, see Tip #1.
- Tip #2 includes what I like to serve with keto baked salmon.
- Read my recommendations for the best sauce to dress up your fillets in Tip #3.Â
- Tip #4 offers the best way to cook a salmon fillet.
- And see Tip #5 for how to bake salmon.Â
- Tip #6 digs into the best temperature to bake salmon in the oven for perfectly flaky fish.Â
- See Tip #7 for the ideal internal temperature for safe-to-eat salmon.
- If you're using frozen fish, read how to make this recipe in Tip #8.Â
- Tip #9 includes how to use this recipe for keto meal planning.Â
- If you want to use the leftovers, be sure to read Tip #10.Â
- Tip #11 includes my favorite seasonings for baked keto salmon.Â
Nutrition
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By “French mustard” do you mean Dijon mustard?
Hi Susan,
Yes, that’s Dijon mustard.
Have a great Sunday
Wonderful recipe and so clearly explained. Thank you.
Love this recipe! I tweaked it a little by adding onion, garlic, and mustard powder. I only used 1 tbsp of parsley flakes! It’s a hit every time I make it!