Easy Baked Salmon

Get ready to master the art of perfectly baked salmon that’s both incredibly delicious and amazingly simple. This recipe transforms ordinary salmon into a show-stopping dinner with just minutes of hands-on time!

The magic lies in our zesty lemon-garlic marinade that infuses the salmon with bright, bold flavors while keeping it wonderfully moist. Plus, everything cooks on one tray – tender asparagus and juicy cherry tomatoes roast alongside, soaking up all those amazing flavors.

Ingredients

For the Salmon:

• 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each), skin-on or skinless
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the Vegetables:

• 3 bunches asparagus, woody ends trimmed
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper

For Serving:

• Fresh parmesan, for grating
• Lemon wedges
• Fresh parsley, chopped

Steps

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, Dijon, salt, and pepper.
3. Place salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet and brush generously with the marinade mixture.
4. Toss asparagus and tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Arrange around the salmon.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until salmon flakes easily and vegetables are tender-crisp.
6. Finish with freshly grated parmesan, a squeeze of lemon, and chopped parsley.

Smart Swaps

• Use broccoli or green beans instead of asparagus
• Swap lemon for lime and add cilantro for a Mexican twist
• Try honey mustard instead of Dijon for a sweeter profile

Make It Diabetes-Friendly

• This recipe is naturally low-carb and diabetes-friendly
• Serve with cauliflower rice instead of regular rice (saves 30g carbs per serving)
• Add extra vegetables to increase fiber content
• Consider eating the protein first to help manage blood sugar response
• Portion size: stick to 6 oz salmon serving for optimal protein-to-carb ratio

Pro Tips

• Let salmon come to room temperature before cooking for even baking
• Don’t overcook! Salmon is best slightly pink in the center
• Pat salmon dry before adding marinade for better adhesion
• Use center-cut pieces for most even cooking