Name: Oven Roasted Salmon With Fresh Tomato Basil Topping (Video)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 4 portions of salmon fillets (6-7 oz each), skin on, bones removed; 1 1/2 Tablespoon olive oil; salt, ground black pepper, to taste; 3-4 medium tomatoes, seeds removed; 1-3 garlic cloves, minced; 1-2 limes; 1/2 – 1 Tablespoon fresh basil and parsley, finely chopped; 1/2 – 1 Tablespoon balsamic glaze, to drizzle on top of salmon

Oven roasted salmon is one of the most foolproof methods to having the juiciest fish that retains all its moisture. The fresh tomato basil topping gives this entree a vibrantly stunning presentation and so much incredible flavor.

Oven Roasted Salmon - the fish is so juicy and the fresh tomato basil and garlic topping makes it beautiful and flavorful.

Oven roasted salmon is my #1 recommendations for anyone to try, especially if you’re intimidating by cooking seafood at home. Welcome to the recipe that takes all the guesswork out of it. It’s so easy and you’ll get consistent results. You will wow yourself, your family and your guests because it looks like it came from a gourmet restaurant. The combination of the juicy salmon and the fresh tomatoes, basil and parsley with a drizzle of sweet balsamic glaze and a squeeze of lime juice – it’s healthy, light and bursting in flavor.

You know what else I love about roasting salmon instead of cooking it on the stove? You can make as many portions as you need at the same time, either 2 or 22, they will all fit on the baking sheet and be ready in 12-14 minutes. The salmon roasts while you quickly cut up the tomatoes and herbs. No need to stand at the stove and get splattered with oil and try to guess when it’s time to flip it.

I use this method all the time and switch up the flavor by using different toppings, such as a creamy yogurt dill sauce or make a lemon butter sauce with shallots and fresh herbs.

Watch the Video Tutorial of Oven Roasted Salmon With Fresh Tomato Topping:

Ingredients For Oven Roasted Salmon:

salmon – use any type of salmon that you enjoy, cut into individual portions, about 6 oz each. You can also use steelhead trout for this recipe, following the exact same instructions.
olive oil, salt, ground black pepper – that’s all that you need for the salmon
Topping: tomatoes, garlic, basil, parsley, lime (for the topping and squeezing on top of the salmon when it’s cooked), salt, pepper
balsamic glaze – you can use store bought balsamic glaze or cook balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan until it becomes concentrated and has a syrupy consistency.

How To Roast Salmon

Preheat the oven to 500 degree Fahrenheit. Place a large rimmed baking sheet inside the oven to heat up while the oven is preheating.
Season the salmon fillets with salt, ground black pepper and drizzle with olive oil. You can also add some spices/herbs for extra flavor, such as minced garlic, garlic powder, paprika, chili seasoning, etc.
Roast the salmon. When the oven is preheated, place the salmon on the baking sheet (You should hear it sizzle right away). Place the salmon back into the oven, reducing the heat to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake for 12-14 minutes.
Meanwhile, make the tomato basil topping. Chop the tomatoes, herbs, garlic and mix it all in a bowl. Add half of the lime juice, all the garlic, season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve the salmon. When the salmon is cooked, squeeze more lime juice on top of the salmon and add a few spoonfuls of the tomato topping to each portion. Serve right away.

Oven roasted salmon recipe tutorial served with a fresh tomato basil topping

Helpful Tips

What is the best temperature to roast salmon in the oven?

Using this method of preheating the oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, which is REALLY hot, I know you can get nervous. Don’t worry. This is only to preheat the oven. This initial heat helps to make the baking sheet searingly hot, just like preheating a skillet when cooking on the stovetop before adding the food. The high heat will help to crisp up the exterior and help to sear the salmon skin and render off the fat.

Decrease the oven temperature to 250 degrees right away. The salmon will continue to cook very gently, so it will remain really juicy and retain the moisture while it’s roasting.

Should you remove the salmon skin when roasting in the oven?

No. Save yourself the work. However that is only a side benefit. The main reason is that the salmon skin will help to keep the salmon much juicier if you roast it with the skin on. It will easily come off when you finish cooking it.

If you like crisp salmon skin, this will also give it a nice sear and you can enjoy it with your fish. If you have a good quality baking sheet, the skin will easily come off the baking sheet too. Make sure to remove the scales beforehand, coat the salmon generously with oil on the bottom so that it won’t get stuck to the baking sheet. Use a thin metal spatula to remove the salmon from the baking sheet.

How to get the juiciest salmon:

Use fillets cut from the center of the salmon. They will be the thickest. The thinner the salmon fillets, the easier it will be to overcook and dry it out.
Do NOT overcook. If you have an instant read thermometer, use it so you don’t have to guess the time. The salmon should be 130-135 degrees Fahrenheit if you like it cooked to medium doneness and 140-145 degrees Fahrenheit if you like it cooked all the way through but still really juicy and tender.

Oven Roasted Salmon with fresh tomato, basil and parsley topping.

More Amazing Salmon Recipes:

Try this same exact salmon method with different topping variations – a creamy and tart Yogurt Dill Sauce or with a White Wine and Lemon Butter Sauce.
Salmon Cakes – the best salmon patties you will try.
Cheesy Baked Salmon – such an indulgent and delicious recipe.
Potato Salmon Soup – this soup is always a huge hit. Even kids love it, and that’s saying something.

Serve With:

Perfectly Cooked Long Grain White Rice
Cauliflower Tomato Salad
Zucchini Couscous
Mashed Potatoes
Crunchy Cabbage Cucumber Salad