This delicious baked Old Bay Salmon is seasoned with the iconic spice blend, herbs, and sliced lemon. It's easy and ready in just 25 mins. Baked to perfection, the result is a tender and juicy salmon fillet that's sure to become a firm favorite.
You're going to love this flavorful baked Old Bay Salmon recipe!
With just a few simple ingredients, you can have a flavorful and healthy meal in just 25 minutes.
It's seasoned with iconic Old Bay spice blend, sprinkled with fresh basil, lemon zest and sliced lemon, and then baked to tender perfection.
We love this dish. Like, seriously love it. At the moment it's in our meal plan rotation a lot. It's just so simple to make and so healthy.
Plus, it doesn't feel like it's on repeat when you serve it with different sides each time.
We've had it with Gruyere Au Gratin Potatoes for a more sophisticated meal, with Mango Corn Salsa for a super healthy dinner, or with Spicy Air Fryer Potato Wedges for a USA twist on Fish n Chips.
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Why You Should Make This Recipe
- This Old Bay Salmon recipe is ready in just 25 minutes.
- You only need salmon, lemons, basil, pepper, oil and Old Bay Seasoning.
- It's a healthy dish that's full of great flavor.
- Salmon is a good source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and other nutrients.
- You can serve it with a variety of sides, such as roasted vegetables, rice, or potatoes.
- This recipe is simple and straightforward, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- The combination of Old Bay seasoning, lemon zest, and basil creates a delicious and unique flavor profile that you're sure to love.
- This recipe can be easily adapted to suit your preferences. Add more or less seasoning, try different herbs, or serve with different sides.
Ingredients
- Salmon fillet: Look for a fresh, skin-on salmon fillet at your local grocery store or fish market. Make sure to check for any bones and remove them before cooking.
- Olive oil: Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil for best results.
- Lemon zest: The zest of a lemon adds bright citrus flavor to the dish.
- Old Bay seasoning: A classic seasoning blend made with a mix of spices, including celery salt, black pepper, and paprika.
- Black pepper: Adds a bit of heat and depth to the dish.
- Lemon slices: Thinly sliced lemons add a pop of color and flavor to the salmon.
- Basil: Fresh basil adds a sweet and slightly peppery flavor to the dish. Swap for parsley or dill if you prefer.
See the recipe card for the full method and quantities.
What is Old Bay seasoning?
You'll recognize it from the iconic yellow, blue and red packaging, but what exactly is it?
Old Bay Seasoning is a blend of herbs and spices that was created by McCormick and Company in Baltimore, Maryland, back in the 1930s as a seafood seasoning.
It typically contains a mixture of celery salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and paprika, as well as other spices like bay leaves, cloves, and allspice.
It is often used to season seafood dishes like crab, shrimp, scallops, and fish, but can also be used on a variety of other foods.
You can make your own Old Bay Seasoning.
Prepping Fresh Salmon
Before cooking the salmon, make sure to properly prep it by checking for any bones and removing them. Rinse the fillet under cold water and pat it dry with a paper towel.
If the salmon has skin, you can leave it on or remove it. If you choose to remove the skin, simply use a sharp knife to carefully peel it off. For this recipe, I like to leave it on to hold the salmon together.
Salmon Cooking Safety Tips:
Salmon is a safe fish to eat, but it is important to cook it properly to avoid foodborne illness. This fish is cooked through when it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F (63 degrees C). You can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the salmon.
When cooking salmon, it's important to follow some safety tips to ensure it's cooked to perfection. Make sure the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F and that the flesh is opaque and easily flakes with a fork.
Instructions
If you're wondering how to make this Old Bay Salmon recipe, don't worry, it's easy!
Just follow this step-by-step photo tutorial. Then scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and recipe method.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Lightly grease a baking dish with oil.
Place the salmon fillet into the prepared baking dish.
In a small bowl, combine Old Bay seasoning and pepper.
Rub the spice mixture all over the salmon fillet, then sprinkle it with the lemon zest and chopped basil.
Place lemon slices on top of the salmon fillet.
Bake your old bay salmon for 15-20 minutes, or until it is cooked through.
Garnish with more chopped basily and serve.
Serving Suggestions
When it comes to serving suggestions, the possibilities are endless! Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Serve over a bed of quinoa or brown rice.
- Serve with potatoes: try Air Fryer Baby Potatoes, or mashed potatoes.
- Pair with roasted or grilled vegetables, such as asparagus or brussels sprouts.
- Top with a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream for added creaminess.
- Serve with a side salad dressed with a light vinaigrette.
Substitutions
- Salmon: If salmon isn't your thing, try using another type of fish, such as cod or tilapia.
- Old Bay seasoning: If you don't have Old Bay seasoning on hand, try using a Cajun or Creole seasoning blend instead.
- Lemon zest: If you don't have fresh lemons, you can use a little bottled lemon juice instead.
Variations
- Try using different herbs, such as dill weed or parsley, in place of basil.
- Mix it up by adding garlic powder, onion powder, or smoked paprika to the Old Bay seasoning blend.
- Experiment with different citrus fruits, such as lime or orange, in place of lemon.
Recipe Tips
- Marinate the salmon: For a more flavorful salmon, marinate it in the Old Bay seasoning blend for 30 minutes to an hour before baking.
- Use fresh ingredients: Use fresh salmon, herbs and lemon.
- Don't overcook your salmon.
- You can also add other herbs and spices to the salmon, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or dill weed.
Storage
When it comes to storing leftover salmon, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
What are some common mistakes people make when cooking salmon?
Some common mistakes people make when cooking salmon include:
- Overcooking the salmon. Salmon is cooked through when it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F (63 degrees C). Overcooking the salmon will make it dry and tough.
- Not letting the salmon rest before serving. Salmon is best served when it has had a chance to rest for a few minutes after cooking. This will help the juices redistribute throughout the fish.
More Salmon Recipes
Salmon Kabobs
Easy Salmon Patties
Salmon with Mushroom Sauce
Try these 50 Salmon Recipes.
FAQ
You can cook salmon in a variety of ways, including baking, grilling, pan-frying, and smoking. It is important to cook salmon to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F (63 degrees C) to avoid foodborne illness.
Salmon is a good source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and other nutrients. It is a low-fat fish that is also high in vitamins and minerals.
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📖 Recipe
Old Bay Salmon
Equipment
- Baking dish
Ingredients
- 1 pound salmon fillet (skin on)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 ½ teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 lemon (sliced)
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped basil (plus more for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Lightly grease a baking dish with oil.
- Rinse the salmon and pat it dry with paper towels. Place the salmon fillet into the prepared baking dish.
- In a small bowl, combine Old Bay seasoning and pepper.
- Rub the spice mixture all over the salmon fillet, then sprinkle it with the lemon zest and chopped basil.
- Place lemon slices on top of the salmon fillet.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through.
- Garnish with more chopped basil and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.
Dannii
Such an amazing seasoning and this was the perfect way to use it.
Dora
Salmon is served every week at our house and until this recipe we never thought to use old bay. Wow is right! It was so easy and so delicious 😋
Sisley
So delicious and so easy. A proper wonderful spring meal.