Baked Salmon Recipe with Mayonnaise (2024)

A simple yet delicious recipe for Baked Salmon with Mayonnaise. This 6-ingredient, 20-minute recipe is fresh, savory and perfect for weeknights.

Cooking with Salmon

Salmon is one of my top three favorite things to cook and eat because it’s quick-cooking, flavorful, and versatile. My usual weeknight go-to is this incredibly simple (just salt, pepper and salmon) and always perfect Pan-Seared Salmon. It’s a slam dunk every time.

Aside from pan-searing, salmon is also great grilled, roasted, simmered in a curry sauce, or formed into patties and fried—all of which can be found in this list of 15 healthy salmon recipes.

A few things to keep in mind when buying and cooking with salmon:

• Choose filets that are glossy and firm to the touch.
• Salmon filets should smell fresh and clean, and slightly briny or like the ocean. Fresh fish should never smell “fishy.”
• Salmon filets should have a bright contrast between the muscle and the fat.
• Check the recipe for notes on how thick the salmon filets should be—thickness dictates how long the cook time will be.

Why I Love This Recipe

This Baked Salmon with Mayo is another example of how simple preparation—and ingredients—can turn salmon into an outstanding meal. Just 6 ingredients and 20 minutes is all you need to create restaurant-worthy salmon that’s loaded with flavor.

Ingredients in Mayonnaise Salmon

• Whole wheat panko, an optional topping to add a bit of crunch.
• Skin-on salmon filets are ideal here. The skin keeps the salmon moist while cooking! Look for filets that are 1 to 1-½ inches thick.
• Mayonnaise, I prefer to use avocado oil or olive oil mayonnaise.
• Lemon, use the zest in the mayonnaise topping then cut the zested lemon into wedges and serve with the finished meal.
• Shallot, for a dose of onion/garlic flavor.
• Fresh dill also pairs really well with salmon and adds a lovely herby flavor.

How to Make Mayonnaise Salmon

1. Toast the breadcrumbs in the oven for a few minutes until their golden brown.
2. While the breadcrumbs toast, mix together the mayonnaise topping.
3. Transfer the toasted breadcrumbs to a bowl and coat the baking sheet with nonstick spray.
4. Pat the salmon dry, then arrange skin side-down on the baking sheet. Season the salmon with kosher salt and black pepper.
5. Divide the mayo mixture between salmon filets and spread over top.
6. Bake until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 125ºF (52ºC).

How Long to Bake Salmon at 350ºF

When salmon is baked at 350ºF (176ºC), it will take about 5 minutes per ½-inch thickness to cook. So, if at its thickest, the filet is 1 ½ inches, the bake time will be about 15 minutes.

The best way to check for doneness is to use an instant-read thermometer.

According to the FDA, salmon should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145ºF (63ºC). However, many chefs and home cooks prefer their salmon to be more medium. If you prefer salmon cooked to medium, I recommend cooking it to 125ºF (52ºC) to 130ºF (54ºC). If you prefer salmon medium-rare, cook it to 120ºF (49ºC) Keep in mind, the internal temperature will increase as it rests.

If you don’t have a thermometer, you can check doneness of oven baked salmon by testing whether or not it flakes with a fork. It’s done when it just starts to flake.

What to Serve with Mayonnaise Salmon

Since the salmon is so flavorful, I prefer to keep the side dish simple. Steamed broccoli, sauteéd green beans or a simple green salad is perfect.

More Salmon Recipes

• This Salmon Baked in Foil is another great recipe to consider for cooking salmon in the oven.
• Two of our sheet pan meals that we love are this Roasted Salmon Sheet Pan Dinner with green beans and cherry tomaotes as well as this recipe for Sheet Pan Salmon Dinner with Moroccan Flavors.
• Recently we published this recipe for Maple Glazed Salmon on Healthy Seasonal Recipes. It is a great entertaining recipe and easy enough for a weeknight! Another maple sweetened version is this Maple Tahini Roasted Salmon! It is amazing.
• This Easy Skillet Salmon with Avocado Basil Mash is ready in minutes and so good any time of year.
• For those of you who love big salads, these Salmon Nicoise Salad are an all-time favorite!

Thanks for reading. If you make this recipe for Baked Salmon with Mayonnaise, please let me know by coming back to leave a star rating and review!

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