Oven Baked Salmon Steaks
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These easy oven baked salmon steaks make a perfect healthy and tasty dinner that the whole family will love. Plus, this showstopping meal is ready in less than 30 minutes!
Serve these with lemon wedges, Tuscan roasted broccoli, and quick steamed asparagus for an effortless meal.
Quick Look at This Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 4 people
- Dietary Info: Pescetarian, Gluten Free (can be made Dairy Free)
- Method: Oven Baked
- Technique: Baste the salmon steaks with butter and garlic, then rub with the seasoning blend and drizzle with remaining butter and garlic. Bake until cooked, then rest and serve.
- Flavor & Texture: These oven baked salmon steaks have a tender texture, buttery spice coating on the exterior, and tang from the lemon, which makes this an easy and irresistible dinner!
Why You’ll Love this Recipe!
Salmon steaks are popular in Italy, and I’ve always loved them! Here’s what you’ll love about these Easy Oven Baked Salmon Steaks:
- Flavorful Seasonings: Combining garlic, brown sugar, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper creates a delicious and well-balanced flavor profile.
- Quick Cooking Time: With a baking time of 15-22 minutes, this recipe is a quick way to prepare a tasty salmon dish. You can always grill salmon steaks, but this method is quicker and just as tasty!
- Moist and Tender Results: Basting, rubbing, and drizzling with olive oil contribute to a moist and tender texture in the finished salmon.
Pair this recipe with the best side dishes for salmon recipes. If you love salmon, don’t miss my other recipes for Stuffed Salmon, Orange Salmon, Pesto Salmon, and Salmon Picatta!
Made With Amore,
“This was the most tender, juicy and flavorful salmon I’ve ever had!”
– Daniela
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Baked Salmon Steaks
Cooking salmon in the oven is easy, and will be your new favorite way to prepare it. Grab these key ingredients, and you’ll be ready to start!
- Salmon Steaks (Bones Removed): Fresh, boneless salmon steaks provide a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids and a delicious, flaky texture when cooked. If you can’t find steaks, use fillets!
- Melted Butter or Olive Oil: Melted butter adds richness and a smooth texture, while olive oil brings a fruity and slightly peppery flavor. Choose based on your preference.
- Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds a hint of sweetness, balancing the savory and enhancing the overall flavor profile. Alternatively, you can use honey.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of dried herbs such as oregano, thyme, basil, rosemary, and others, providing a Mediterranean-inspired flavor to the salmon. Use my easy Italian seasoning recipe if you don’t have a jar of it on hand!
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations & Substitutions
- Salmon Steaks: In the US, you may have to ask your fishmonger to special cut the fish into steaks. If you can’t find them, use regular salmon fillets.
- Brown Sugar Substitute: Honey or maple syrup can be used as an alternative to brown sugar for sweetness.
- Spicy Variation: For those who enjoy heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix. If you want something zesty, try my baked salmon with pesto for another fun twist!
- Asian-Inspired Teriyaki Variation: Replace Italian seasoning with a blend of soy sauce, ginger, and garlic for an Asian-inspired flavor profile. A store-bought teriyaki sauce is great, too. Or try my baked honey orange sesame salmon for another Asian-inspired take.
How to Bake Salmon Steaks
This easy recipe is prepared in just a few simple steps. It’s the best way to cook salmon steaks, and you will love them!
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper and grease with a little cooking spray or oil. (You can also use a large baking dish.) Pat salmon steaks dry with a clean paper towel.
- In a small bowl, combine melted butter or olive oil with minced garlic.
- Use half of this mixture to baste the salmon steaks, making sure to coat all sides.
- In a separate bowl, mix brown sugar, Italian seasoning, ground paprika, salt, and ground black pepper. Rub this mixture onto the top of the steaks.
- Drizzle the remaining half of the olive oil and garlic mixture over the salmon steaks. Place the steaks on the prepared baking sheet or oven-safe baking pan.
- Bake in the oven for 15-22 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked and flakes easily with a fork. See notes on internal cooking temperatures.
- Once baked, remove the salmon from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Spoon any extra sauce over the salmon and add a squeeze of lemon juice just before eating. This baked salmon steak recipe is your next weeknight dinner made easy!
Recipe FAQs
The FDA recommends cooking fish, including salmon, to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). Here’s a guide to internal temperatures for salmon:
Rare: 120-125°F (49-52°C) – Some people enjoy salmon cooked to this temperature for a more delicate texture and flavor.
Medium-Rare: 130-135°F (54-57°C) – Salmon will be slightly opaque outside and more translucent in the center.
Medium: 140-145°F (60-63°C) – This is the recommended safe temperature according to the FDA. Salmon will be opaque and flake easily.
Well-Done: 150°F (66°C) and above – If you prefer your salmon well-done, ensure it reaches this temperature.
Keep in mind that there is carry-over cooking, which means the temperature of the salmon may continue to rise a few degrees after you remove it from the oven due to residual heat. Removing the salmon from the oven before reaching the desired internal temperature allows carry-over cooking to complete the process.
The main difference between salmon steaks and fillets is the cut and composition. Salmon steaks are cross-sectional cuts that include a portion of the backbone, often with the skin, providing a richer flavor. Salmon fillets are boneless cuts taken parallel to the backbone. The main difference is the cut of salmon used.
When choosing salmon for oven baking, consider using varieties with a good balance of flavor, texture, and richness. Types of salmon include:
Chinook (King) Salmon: Known for its high-fat content, Chinook salmon has a rich, buttery flavor, making it an excellent choice for salmon steaks.
Sockeye (Red) Salmon: Sockeye salmon has a bold flavor, vibrant red flesh, and a firm texture, making it a popular option for those who enjoy a more robust taste.
Coho (Silver) Salmon: Coho salmon has a milder flavor than Chinook and Sockeye, with a more delicate texture. It’s a versatile choice for oven baked salmon steaks.
Atlantic Salmon: Although primarily farm-raised, Atlantic salmon is readily available and offers a mild, buttery flavor. Choose sustainably sourced options.
Refrigerate leftovers promptly. Seal them in an airtight container and consume within 2-3 days for optimal freshness. Reheat gently in a skillet or at a low power in the microwave.
Serving Suggestions
These easy oven baked salmon steaks are the perfect easy dinner and taste wonderful with lots of different side dishes! Opt for cozy twice-baked potato casserole or homemade creamed corn, or go healthy with my shaved Brussels sprouts salad, Longhorn Steakhouse crispy Brussels sprouts, or roasted green beans. Enjoy a slice of authentic Italian tiramisu for dessert!
My Pro Tip
Expert Tips
- Use fresh, high-quality salmon for the best flavor and texture.
- Monitor the salmon closely and adjust cooking time based on thickness to prevent overcooking.
- Allow the salmon to rest for a few minutes after baking to retain juices.
Other Salmon Recipes You’ll Love
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Oven Baked Salmon Steaks
Ingredients
- 3-4 salmon steaks, about 1½ inch thick; or use salmon fillets
- 4 tablespoons melted butter, or olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon ground paprika
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ground black pepper, to taste
- fresh parsley, finely chopped for garnish
- lemon slices, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper and grease with a little cooking spray or oil. You can also use a large baking dish.
- Pat salmon steaks dry with a clean paper towel.
- In a small bowl, combine melted butter or olive oil with minced garlic. Use half of this mixture to baste the salmon steaks, making sure to coat all sides of the salmon.
- In a separate bowl, mix honey or brown sugar, Italian seasoning, ground paprika, salt, and ground black pepper. Rub this mixture onto the top of the salmon steaks.
- Drizzle the remaining half of the olive oil and garlic mixture over the salmon steaks.
- Place the salmon steaks on the prepared baking sheet or oven-safe baking pan.
- Bake in the oven for 15-22 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked and flakes easily with a fork. See notes for the recommended internal cooking temperatures.
- Once baked, remove the salmon from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Spoon any extra sauce over the salmon. Enjoy!
Notes
- In the US, you may have to ask your fishmonger to special-cut the salmon into steaks. If you can’t find them, use regular salmon fillets!
- The FDA recommends cooking fish, including salmon, to medium doneness, which is an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). For reference, rare is 120-125°F (49-52°C), medium-rare is 130-135°F (54-57°C), and well done is 150°F (66°C) and above. My preference is 125°F – 130°F, when salmon is the most succulent while still perfectly flaky.
- Factor in carry-over cooking, which means the temperature of the salmon will rise a few degrees after you remove it from the oven due to residual heat.
- Using a meat thermometer is the most accurate way to check the internal temperature of your salmon. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of your salmon fillet, avoiding the bone if there is one.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Quick and easy with pantry staples…the recipes I like best. The taste was great too.
Yes, just a few ingredients and you have the tastiest meal :).
Very tasty and simple
Thanks! I love how easy it is to throw together and it gives the salmon the best flavors.
It says to cook between 15-22 minutes. At what time should I check for the preferred temperature, especially when it continues to cook when you take it out of the oven?
Check at 15 minutes if you like it less well-done.
Perfect cooking times for a moist, flaky cut of salmon, easily put together. Enjoyed it!๐
Yay! Happy you loved it!
Going to make this weekend but my question is the recipe says 400 degree oven, in the write up it says 375 degree oven, please clarify.
I need to fix that! Thanks. It should be 400 degree F!
This was the most tender, juicy and flavorful salmon Iโve ever had!
I feel the same! Thank you, and happy you enjoyed it!