Roasted herb salmon is an incredibly easy and fast way to get a healthy dinner on the table for the family. An herb and garlic-infused oil is brushed on fillets, then baked until it just starts to flake. While the herbed salmon is cooking, steam or sauté a vegetable on the stovetop and dinner is ready in less than 30 minutes.
Ingredients for Herb Salmon
- Salmon fillets:Â Firm, fresh salmon fillets (thawed frozen salmon works great t00) are the most important part of herbed salmon.
- Garlic:Â Minced fresh garlic adds a lot of flavor and complements the herbs.
- Rosemary:Â The woodsy, piney taste of rosemary (fresh or dried, but fresh will be more potent) holds up well in the oven.
- Olive oil:Â This healthy fat gets infused with garlic and herbs and coats the salmon for cooking.
- Thyme:Â Fresh or dried thyme adds a sweet earthy taste to herb salmon.
Directions
Step 1 Prepare herb mixture and roast salmon
Preheat oven to 425°F. Lay the fillets, skin side down, in a baking pan at least 15×10 inches. Whisk together garlic, herbs and olive oil. Use a spoon to spread the infused oil over the salmon. Roast the salmon until it flakes easily with a fork, for 15 to 18 minutes.
Editor’s tip: Salmon is perfectly done at 145°. Using an instant-read thermometer will allow you to test for doneness without cutting into or flaking the salmon.
Herb Salmon Variations
- Use various herbs: Thyme and rosemary are not the only delicious herbs that go with salmon. Tarragon, marjoram, parsley or dill also work beautifully.
- Add mustard:Â If you love the taste of mustard, it tastes great on salmon and helps emulsify the herb and oil spread. Simply add 1 teaspoon of Dijon or whole-grain mustard when whisking together the herbs and olive oil.
- Switch the olive oil: Olive oil is a healthy fat, but melted butter also works well on salmon. For a creamier topping, use mayonnaise. Both can be substituted 1 of 1 for the olive oil.
How long does herb salmon last?
After cooking, herbed salmon can be refrigerated for two to three days and then gently reheated.
Herb Salmon Tips
Can you make salmon smell less fishy?
There’s a difference between fish smelling a bit fishy and fish gone bad. Fresh fish should be firm, not slimy, and have a mild odor. If it is mushy, slimy, or has a sour, strong fishy smell it should not be consumed. But if even the mild aroma of fresh fish turns you off, here’s a surprising tip: soak the fillet in milk for 20 minutes, then pat dry. The protein in milk helps neutralize the fish odor.
What’s a great side dish with salmon?
Salmon is a heart-healthy main dish and pairing it with an equally healthy and delicious vegetable is always a win. When in season, try tarragon asparagus or broccoli with shaved asiago cheese.
What’s the best way to thaw frozen salmon?
The safest way to thaw frozen salmon is to place it in a bowl and gently thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. If you don’t have time, place the salmon in a resealable plastic bag and submerge it in a bowl of cold water. Check on it every 30 minutes, replacing it with new cold water if the fish isn’t yet thawed. Pat the thawed fish dry with paper towels before cooking.
