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    Home » Fish & Seafood

    Baked Lemon Pepper Salmon

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on May 22, 2022, updated April 25, 2024 - 12 Comments

    Total time: 22 minutes minutes
    Prep time: 2 minutes minutes
    5 from 8 votes
    Jump to Recipe

    This baked Lemon Pepper Salmon is a delicious hands-off dinner all done in 22 minutes with just 3 ingredients. You'll be surprised how packed with flavor it is!

    oven baked salmon covered with lemon pepper in an oven pan with lemon wedges.

    “Who Knew Such a Simple Recipe Could Be So Amazing!”

    This Lemon Pepper Salmon recipe is probably my most surprising recipe.

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    Why? Because everyone who tries it is so surprised at just how flavor packed it is despite having just 3 very simple ingredients. Just check out the reviews below if you don't believe me! And that quote in the header? That's from Lara, just one of the readers who made it and loved it.

    Take it from a girl who never has fish without sauce. This baked Lemon Pepper Salmon, though, I devour as-is, no sauce needed. It's just that good!!

    The combination of lemon juice, lemon pepper and salmon is so good, I even created 3 more versions of it for you to try:

    • Lemon Pepper Salmon Bites
    • Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Salmon
    • Air Fryer Frozen Salmon (Yes, it's just as good as fresh!

    Maximum Flavor From Just 3 Ingredients

    ingredients for lemon pepper salmon.

    A Note on Salmon

    The best salmon to use for this recipe is a whole filet with the skin still on. However, you can also adapt it to suit different types of salmon.

    Individual salmon filets with skin: Follow the recipe as written but shorten the cook time to 12-15 minutes.

    Salmon without skin: Brush the pan with a good amount of oil before adding in the salmon, and otherwise follow the recipe as written.

    What You Can Use Instead of Lemon Pepper

    If you can't find lemon pepper, you can use another citrusy pepper mix. You can also use other pre-made fish seasonings, especially one with a lot of citrus.

    Yes, You Should Use Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice

    I really recommend you use fresh lemon juice for this recipe, since lemon is basically the whole seasoning. You can definitely use bottled juice as well - but the flavor won't be as good.

    Just Squeeze, Season and Bake!

    It really is that easy.

    1. Lots of Lemon Juice

    Place the salmon skin-side down in an oven-safe dish, then squeeze over the lemon. Lots and lots of it! Just try to get as much as possible on the salmon, and not the pan.

    squeezing lemon juice over salmon.

    2. Cover in Lemon Pepper

    Sprinkle lemon pepper on top - it should basically cover the fish.

    salmon covered with lemon pepper before baking.

    3. Bake Until Done

    Bake 18-20 minutes (12-15 minutes for individual filets), until salmon is done.

    To find out if it is, either check the internal temperature (it should be at least 145°F (63°C)), or poke the middle with a fork. The flesh should flake easily and be opaque and light pink.

    baked salmon with lemon pepper after baking.

    What to Do with Leftovers

    Storing: Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

    Freezing: This dish does not freeze well.

    Leftovers: I prefer to eat leftovers cold, but you can also reheat them.

    Reheating: Reheat leftovers in the microwave in 30-second increments.

    close up of salmon seasoned with lemon pepper.

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    Recipe

    oven baked lemon pepper salmon in an oven pan with lemon wedges

    Lemon Pepper Salmon

    5 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Northern European
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 221kcal
    Prep time: 2 minutes mins
    Cook time: 20 minutes mins
    Total time: 22 minutes minutes
    Author: Emmeline Kemperyd
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 1¼ lb whole salmon filet with skin see note below for other types of salmon
    • ½ lemon juice only
    • 2 tablespoon lemon pepper or citrus pepper
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
    • Place the salmon skin-side down in an oven-safe pan. Squeeze over the juice from the lemon and then spread out the lemon pepper evenly on top.
      1¼ lb whole salmon filet with skin, ½ lemon, 2 tablespoon lemon pepper
    • Bake in the middle of the oven for 18-20 minutes, until done. Serve immediately with your choice of sides!

    Equipment (may contain affiliate links)

    • Non-stick oven pan*

    Video

    Notes

     

    How to Make It With Different Types of Salmon

    Individual salmon filets with skin: Follow the recipe as written but shorten the cook time to 12-15 minutes.
    Salmon without skin: Brush the pan with a good amount of oil before adding in the salmon, and otherwise follow the recipe as written.
     

    What to Do with Leftovers:

    Freezing: This dish does not freeze well.
    Leftovers: I prefer to eat leftovers cold, or reheat them.
    Reheating: Reheat leftovers in the microwave in 30-second increments.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 221kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 66mg | Potassium: 781mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 78IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 2mg

    Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.

    Did you make this? Tag me today!Tag @alwaysusebutter and use the hashtag #alwaysusebutter!

    More Fish & Seafood Recipes

    • Air fryer salmon with skin.
      Air Fryer Salmon with Skin
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      Air Fryer Salmon Bites
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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lara

      January 16, 2022 at 5:22 am

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious! Who knew such a simple recipe could be so amazing! Will definitely be making this again.

      Reply
    2. Anya

      January 08, 2022 at 10:50 am

      5 stars
      The perfect quick, healthy meal! Can't believe how simple and unbelievably yummy this was. Definitely adding this to my weekly meal repertoire

      Reply
    3. Traci

      August 13, 2019 at 9:02 pm

      5 stars
      I'm loving this simple, delicious recipe! It's a winner every time...thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Emmeline Kemperyd

        August 14, 2019 at 8:49 am

        Thank you Traci! Happy you liked it! 😀

        Reply
    4. Pam Greer

      August 13, 2019 at 8:13 pm

      5 stars
      Such an easy recipe! The salmon comes out perfect every time and I love the lemon seasoning!

      Reply
      • Emmeline Kemperyd

        August 14, 2019 at 8:49 am

        Thank you Pam! So glad you liked it! 😀

        Reply
    5. Irina Karulin

      August 13, 2019 at 8:10 pm

      5 stars
      Made it last night. The meal is healthy and delicious! I love to enhance my body with Omega 3:) Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Emmeline Kemperyd

        August 14, 2019 at 8:49 am

        Thank you Irina! So happy you enjoyed it! 😀

        Reply
    6. Suzy

      August 13, 2019 at 8:00 pm

      5 stars
      I absolutely love to make salmon but this is so perfect oven baked and filled with lots of seasoning! So delicious!

      Reply
      • Emmeline Kemperyd

        August 14, 2019 at 8:50 am

        Thank you Suzy! Same here - and no easier way than like this!

        Reply
    7. Jordin

      August 13, 2019 at 7:17 pm

      I love eating salmon for dinner, and can't never find the perfect seasonings for it. This recipe sounds amazing and Im going to have to try this out!

      Reply
      • Emmeline Kemperyd

        August 14, 2019 at 8:50 am

        Thank you Jordin!

        Reply
    5 from 8 votes (8 ratings without comment)

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