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Lemon Herb Salmon

The ultimate 'I'm tired but want something fancy' dinner. Minimal cleanup, maximum flavor.

Lemon Herb Salmon
Total
17 min
Prep
5 min
Cook
12 min
Serves
2
Difficulty
easy
Calories
416
Cost
$$$/serving

When you have a long day and zero motivation to stand over a hot stove for an hour, this lemon herb salmon is your secret weapon. It relies on the heavy lifting of high-quality aromatics to do the work for you, ensuring every bite is bright and savory without any complex techniques. The fish cooks in minutes, and because it's all done on one sheet pan, your cleanup will be just as fast as the cooking process. You can practically smell the roasted herbs and zesty lemon hitting the hot pan before you even take a bite. It’s satisfying, elegant enough for guests but simple enough for a Tuesday night solo dinner. Just pat the fish dry before seasoning to get that perfect, slightly crisp exterior while keeping the inside buttery and flakey.

Ingredients

  • 2 unit salmon fillets — approx. 6 oz each
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 pinch kosher salt

Method

  1. 1 Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
  2. 2 Pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel (this is key for a good sear!).
  3. 3 In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, and salt.
  4. 4 Brush the mixture over both sides of the salmon fillets evenly.
  5. 5 Place the fish on the baking sheet and roast in the oven for 10–12 minutes until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
  6. 6 Garnish with extra lemon slices or a sprinkle of fresh herbs if you have them lying around.

Variations

  • Garlic Twist — Add 2 cloves of minced garlic to the marinade for an extra punch of savory flavor.
  • No-Bake Version — Sear the salmon in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat for 4 minutes per side instead of baking.

Notes

If you want to add some volume, toss some asparagus spears or green beans in the same oil mixture and roast them on the same pan as the fish.

Equipment that helps

  • Baking Sheet — Allows for easy cleanup and even roasting of the fillets.

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