Oven-Baked Salmon with Lemon and Pepper
Crisp, citrusy, and delightfully spiced, this Oven-Baked Salmon with Lemon and Pepper brings a harmonious balance of flavors. This dish combines a zesty marinade with a complementary dry rub, allowing the fresh lemon and spices to enhance the salmon's natural richness. Prepare it in under 30 minutes for a quick and flavorful main course. Pair it with roasted vegetables, a green salad, or hearty potatoes for a complete meal.
Equipment
- Equipment
- Baking tray
Ingredients
- Ingredients
- Olive oil 3 tablespoons
- Paprika ½ teaspoon
- Chili flakes ¼ teaspoon
- Oregano ¼ teaspoon
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Grated garlic 2 cloves
- Lemon juice, zest, and slices
- Fresh parsley chopped (½ handful)
- Salt to taste (for dry rub)
- Cayenne pepper ¼ teaspoon
- Chili flakes ¼ teaspoon
- Salmon fillet ½ a whole, deboned
Instructions
- Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (360°F). In a mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, paprika, chili flakes, oregano, lemon zest, lemon juice, grated garlic, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the ingredients are thoroughly blended to create a marinade.
- For the optional dry rub, combine a pinch of salt, cayenne pepper, chili flakes, and paprika in a separate bowl. Mix well to ensure an even distribution of spices.
- Place the salmon fillet, skin side down, on a lightly greased, foil-lined baking tray. Brush the lemon and spice marinade generously over the salmon flesh. Arrange three or four lemon slices on top of the fillet.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. After this initial cooking time, sprinkle the dry rub over the salmon for an enhanced color and added depth of flavor.
- Return the salmon to the oven for an additional 5–7 minutes until it reaches the desired level of doneness. Allow the salmon to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Notes
Adjusting Spice Level: Modify the quantity of chili flakes, paprika, and cayenne pepper based on your spice preference. For a milder taste, reduce these spices; for more heat, increase them. Dry Rub Options: To achieve a richer color and flavor, apply the dry rub halfway through cooking. If a less spiced flavor is desired, reduce or omit the spices in the rub accordingly.
Adjusting Spice Level: Modify the quantity of chili flakes, paprika, and cayenne pepper based on your spice preference. For a milder taste, reduce these spices; for more heat, increase them. Dry Rub Options: To achieve a richer color and flavor, apply the dry rub halfway through cooking. If a less spiced flavor is desired, reduce or omit the spices in the rub accordingly.