Best Simple Sassy Salmon Recipes

HONEY GARLIC SALMON

Steps:

• Place a rack in the center of your oven and preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Let the salmon rest at room temperature for 10 minutes. With paper towels, pat it dry on both sides.
• In a small mixing bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together the honey, hot water, lemon juice, garlic, smoked paprika, ¼ teaspoon salt, and cayenne pepper. Keep near the stove.
• Heat an ovenproof skillet (cast iron is ideal) just large enough to hold the salmon comfortably over medium high-you don't want the salmon to overlap, but you also don't want there to be too much extra room around the salmon or the sauce may burn.
• Sprinkle the salmon with ½ teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (wait to season the fish until just before adding it to the pan).
• Once the skillet is hot, add the olive oil. Swirl to coat the pan, then add the salmon, skin-side up/flesh side down. When lowering the fish into the pan, move it in a direction away from you so that you aren't splattered with oil. Sprinkle the skin side of the fish with a generous pinch of additional salt.
• Cook the salmon for 4 minutes without disturbing it, until it is browned and releases easily from the pan. With a thin spatula (a fish spatula is perfect), carefully turn over each fillet. Turn off the heat.
• Pour the honey mixture over the salmon fillets. With a spoon, baste the top of the fish with the sauce for 1 minute.
• Transfer the skillet to the oven. Bake until the salmon flakes easily with a fork, about 4 to 5 more minutes for 1-inch fillets; if your salmon is thicker or thinner, you will need to adjust the cooking time accordingly. Salmon is done when it reaches 145 degrees F on an instant read thermometer and flakes easily with a fork. Do not overcook or the salmon will be dry (once I get close to 145 degrees F, I remove the salmon to a plate then cover it and let it rest a few minutes so the carryover cooking finishes the job).
• Sprinkle the salmon with parsley or green onion and squeeze additional lemon over the top if you like. Enjoy hot with more pan sauce spooned over the top.

THE BEST BAKED SALMON

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil. Mix the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper in a small bowl. Mix the panko with the parsley, butter, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and a few grinds of black pepper in another small bowl.
• Place the salmon skin-side down on the prepared baking sheet and spread the surface with the Dijon. Press the brown sugar mixture all over the salmon then top with the breadcrumb mixture. Crimp all four sides of the foil to create a border around the salmon, this will help collect the juices so they don't spread and burn. Bake until the breadcrumbs are golden brown, and the salmon is firm and flakes easily when pressed, 15 to 18 minutes. Cut into four equal portions for serving.

EASY, NO-MESS BAKED SALMON

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lay salmon fillet skin-side down on a wide piece of aluminum foil.
• Drizzle olive oil and balsamic vinegar over salmon. Sprinkle lemon pepper, lemon juice, and salt on top. Fold foil up and over the fillet, tenting it at the top. Roll top down to seal salmon in foil. Transfer to a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until salmon flakes easily with a fork, about 15 minutes.

SUPER SIMPLE SALMON

Steps:

• Stir together the garlic powder, basil, and salt in a small bowl; rub in equal amounts onto the salmon fillets.
• Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat; cook the salmon in the butter until browned and flaky, about 5 minutes per side. Serve each piece of salmon with a lemon wedge.

BOURBON-GLAZED SALMON

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine all ingredients but salmon. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir until sugar is dissolved, about 1 minute; set aside., Place salmon on oiled grill rack, skin side down. Grill, covered, over medium heat for 5 minutes. Brush with bourbon mixture. Grill until fish just begins to flake easily with a fork, 8-10 minutes longer.

DELICIOUS SALMON

Steps:

• Whisk together the soy sauce, olive oil, brown sugar, lemon pepper, and garlic in a shallow dish; lay the salmon fillets into the mixture with the skin side facing up. Allow to marinate in the refrigerator 4 to 8 hours or overnight.
• Preheat the oven's broiler and set the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source. Remove salmon from the marinade and arrange on a baking sheet. Discard the marinade.
• Cook the salmon under the broiler until lightly browned and the flesh flakes easily with a fork, 7 to 10 minutes. Allow the salmon to rest 5 minutes before slicing and serving.