Published 8/14/2023 Who says healthy dinners take forever to make? These lemon pepper salmon filets bake for just 12 minutes at 400ºF. With minimal prep time and a short cook time, baked salmon is often my go-to whenever I’m in a dinnertime crunch. While there are a variety of different ways to make salmon (in the sous vide, on the grill, seared, etc.), baked salmon will forever be one of my favorites. I love using a cast iron pan – we’ve found that it cooks fish (or meat) evenly and keeps the heat in for a relatively fast cook time.
What You Need for Lemon Pepper Salmon
Salmon: You’ll need 2 5-ounce salmon filets. Feel free to double or triple this recipe and cook more than 2 at once (great for meal prep). Lemon Pepper: Can’t have lemon pepper salmon without lemon pepper! Our favorite is the McCormick Lemon Pepper Seasoning. Make sure to use a generous amount on the flesh-side of each filet. Lemons: We like to use both lemon wedges (in the skillet) and lemon zest (for a little garnish). The zest is totally optional, but it really brings out the lemon pepper flavor.
Variations
Veggies: Instead of broccoli, use the same amount of cauliflower, sliced onions or peppers, green beans, or asparagus.
Baking Pan: If you don’t have a cast iron skillet or are planning to double or triple this recipe, use a baking sheet. Line it with foil and continue with the recipe as written.
One standard half-sheet baking pan will hold 4-6 filets plus veggies!
Grilling Directions
To grill lemon pepper salmon, heat your grill to 400ºF. Prepare salmon as directed in this recipe and place each filet on the grill skin-side down. Grill, covered, for around 10-12 minutes or until the salmon is easy to flake and light pink in color.
Storage
Store leftover cooked salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
Serving Suggestions
Serve lemon pepper salmon straight out of the skillet on it’s own, or try it with your favorite grain (like quinoa, farro, or brown rice), alongside corn fritters or a baked potato, or paired with your favorite salad. We especially love lemon pepper salmon with a simple arugula salad or spring mix salad.
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