Best Time & Temperature to Bake Salmon

Tired of dry and overcooked salmon that doesn’t live up to your expectations and don’t want to waste this expensive ingredient? If so, you’re at the right place.

Consider this post your ultimate guide to how long and at what temperature to bake salmon to get perfect results every time.

Jump to:

• What Temperature to Bake Salmon
• How Long Does it Take to Bake Salmon
• Is It Better to Bake Salmon at 350 or 400?
• How Long to Bake Salmon in Foil
• Cooking Time and Temperature Chart for Salmon
• How to Know When Salmon is Done
• Can You Bake Frozen Salmon
• Baked Salmon Recipes
• Baked Pesto Salmon
• Baked Salmon in Foil
• Maple Miso Glazed Salmon
• Baked Salmon and Asparagus
• Garlic Butter Salmon Bowls

What Temperature to Bake Salmon

With an unlimited supply of salmon recipes on the internet at different times and temperatures, it can be scary to go out on a limb, sprinkle your favorite seasoning on top and attempt to bake it.

This post will share how long and at what temperature to bake salmon for the most common oven settings at 350, 375, 400, and 425 degrees Fahrenheit as well as share tips for achieving that flaky texture we all love.

How Long Does it Take to Bake Salmon

The length of time it takes to bake salmon will vary by the temperature you set in the oven and whether the salmon is the only ingredient on the sheet pan or not.

The great thing about salmon is that it pairs great with nearly everything, making it an easy ingredient for an all-in-one sheet pan meal.

Is It Better to Bake Salmon at 350 or 400?

While salmon can be baked at both 350 and 400 degrees, salmon baked along with other ingredients, like veggies, is best baked at 350 so whatever else you put on the sheet pan has enough time to cook as well.

Stand-alone salmon can easily be baked at 400 degrees and done how you like it.

How Long to Bake Salmon in Foil

The advantage of baking salmon in foil is that in a nice little package, you cook salmon, retain its juices and seasonings, and it’s easy to cleanup!

Other than the thickness of your salmon, the two factors that determine the amount of time it takes to cook in foil are the temperature and if you have a whole salmon piece or individual pieces.

Salmon fillet pieces bake great at 400F for 12-15 minutes in foil, while an entire large piece will need to bake at 375F for 15-20 minutes.

Cooking Time and Temperature Chart for Salmon

Need an easy reference guide to cooking times and temperatures for your salmon? Pick a time and temperature below.

The baking times and temperatures below are for individual salmon pieces placed on a pan, not considering any other ingredients. The time range depends on the thickness (the height) of the piece.

Oven Temp	Cook Time
350F	20-25 min
375F	15-20 min
400F	12-15 min
425F	8-12 min

How to Know When Salmon is Done

Once you’ve picked the oven temperature to bake your salmon at and are aware of the cooking time range, it’s important to check for doneness at the beginning of the cooking time to ensure you don’t overcook your salmon.

With a fork, pierce the side of the salmon piece, at the thickest part, and check that it separates easily from the main piece into a flake-like piece. You can also use a meat thermometer and check that the salmon’s internal temperature reads 145F.

Can You Bake Frozen Salmon

Salmon is a terrific protein to have on hand in the freezer for when you’re wondering what to make for dinner because it thaws fast and it can be baked frozen.

To bake frozen salmon, make sure to pick a higher baking temperature, such as 400F or 425F, so the salmon thaws fast directly in the oven and begins to cook quickly. The higher temperatures will help prevent the salmon from drying out.

That said, the best way to ensure your salmon is fully cooked is by checking the internal temperature of the salmon. 

Baked Salmon Recipes

Need a few recipes to get a delicious meal on the table? Pick one of these delicious and tested salmon recipes below by temperature.