How Long to Bake Salmon at 425 Degrees: Solved

Last Updated on July 14, 2024 by Shari Mason

The ideal temperature for cooking salmon, a staple in many diets, is widely accepted to be 425 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s the information we have!

But how long does it take to bake? Well, it varies.

Keep reading to discover the common mistakes you should avoid in cooking salmon and know how long to bake salmon at 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

How Long Should You Bake Salmon At 425?

The ideal cooking time for salmon fillets is about five minutes per side at 425 degrees on a nonstick baking sheet. However, it still depends on the salmon fillets’ size and condition.

You can also bake frozen salmon fillets at 425 degrees in a preheated oven for around 12 to 18 minutes. If you are buying frozen salmon, ensure it’s well-packed and doesn’t have ice crystals. 

When cooking salmon with skin on a baking sheet or in a microwave-safe dish, cook it for a little longer than a skinless salmon to ensure the skin gets crispy.

But is salmon skin safe to eat? Of course, at 425 degrees, you can taste crispy salmon skin.

Read: How To Eat Raw Salmon At Home?

Why Bake Salmon At 425?

Baking salmon at 425 in the oven is the ideal temperature to ensure perfectly cooked salmon, the same heat when you want to grill salmon.

When baking salmon, preheat your oven before putting the salmon. It can seal the meat’s moisture, making cooked salmon juicy.

Read: How To Cook Salmon On George Foreman Grill?

What Happens If You Bake Salmon Too Long?

Salmon has a fast cook time, so it’s important not to bake salmon for too long because it’s a delicate fish. The salmon’s meat might dry when overbaked, leading to unwanted leftovers. 

Don’t worry; you can still keep over-cooked salmon. You can store leftover baked salmon in the freezer or the fridge and reheat salmon anytime you prefer.

Keep and store salmon in an airtight container before storing salmon in the fridge. But when you want it in the freezer, wrap the salmon tightly with plastic wrap and put it in a freezer bag.

Find out how to cook salmon in a toaster oven here.

Factors To Consider

Size of Salmon

One of the primary factors to consider in the duration or the amount of time required in cooking salmon is its thickness. 

For a thinner salmon fillet, you can bake your salmon for around 6 to 8 minutes at 425 degrees. An average salmon fillet could range around 10 minutes per inch of thickness.

But if your salmon fillet is extra thick, you can add a few minutes or double its cooking period in the oven. The thicker your salmon fillets are, the longer they need to be baked.

Read: What Does 6 Oz Od Salmon Look Like?

Temperature

Setting the right temperature for your salmon fillet will produce juicy and delicious fish. If you put it too low, it will take longer cooking time. 

For instance, oven-baked salmon at 350 degrees on a prepared baking sheet with foil would take more than 20 minutes to get cooked for an average size.

Also, you can check the salmon’s inner temperature using a meat thermometer. At 425 degrees, it’s thoroughly cooked with an internal temperature of 145 degrees.

Read: How Long Does Frozen Salmon Last In The Freezer?

Common Mistakes That Will Ruin Your Baked Salmon 

Not Preheating the Oven

Forgetting to preheat your oven might ruin the cooking process of your salmon. The simple practice of preheating your oven for about 10 minutes can cook a perfect baked salmon recipe.

If you don’t preheat your oven, it won’t have enough hot air to circulate at the start of baking, which might result in an undercooked salmon. 

Read: How Long To Cook Publix Salmon Pinwheels?

Excessive Oil

Salmon is naturally an oily fish. [1] But is salmon healthy? Yes, it’s healthy and a superfood high in omega-3 fatty acids and healthy fats, with many health benefits. [2]

Since it has natural oils, you don’t need to put too much oil when cooking salmon. But if you prefer to put oil, one to two tablespoons of olive oil is enough.

Read: How To Cook Salmon On A Traeger?

You Don’t Season Salmon

Whether baked or raw salmon, its meat is a delicious and healthy option that doesn’t need any herbs, soy sauce, or spices add-ons.

Other baked salmon recipes use a lot of seasonings. But we recommend putting just a little lemon juice with lemon slices, garlic, salt, and pepper to season it on a baking sheet.

Pairing it with vegetables is also a good option for a healthier meal. Steamed broccoli, roasted brussels sprouts, and sweet potatoes balance out the rich taste of salmon.

Overcooking Salmon

Knowing how long to bake salmon is necessary to keep its rich texture. So, whatever cooking method of salmon you choose, the best you can do is not to overcook salmon. 

Some people wrap salmon in foil when cooking. But to prevent it from being overcooked, you can set your timer and use a food thermometer to know the internal temperature of the salmon. 

“No one is born a great cook, one learns by doing.”

– Julia Child, Cook/Author

How To Tell If Your Salmon Is Cooked

There are two ways to know if you’re salmon is cooked.

1. By food thermometer. Use it to check the internal temperature of the salmon. 
2. By fork. You can press down the salmon meat with a fork. If the meat flakes when pressed down, then it’s done cooking. 

FAQs

Should you bake salmon covered or uncovered?

It would be best if you bake a salmon uncovered. It’s best to take off the lid from the baking dish or don’t put any aluminum foil so the salmon can get crispy. 

On the other hand, baking it with cover will prevent it from being crispy but will moisten the salmon.

How long should you bake salmon in an air fryer?

Baking a salmon in a preheated air fryer could range between six to ten minutes. The length of time of cooking will depend on the thickness of the salmon. 

Summary 

Now that you have learned how long to bake salmon at 425 degrees Fahrenheit, you can make a healthy and delicious option meal anytime.

Here’s a pro tip: Use a 10-minute rule for every inch of thickness of your salmon at 425 degrees in a preheated oven. 

Remember to preheat the oven for about 10 minutes before putting in your salmon. Also, don’t use too much oil and strong herbs or seasoning because it might ruin your salmon’s taste.

Baked salmon is a delicious and healthy meal to look forward to. So, it’s important not to overcook the salmon to make it pleasurable to eat.

References:

1. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-types/fish-and-shellfish-nutrition/ 
2. https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/ingredient-focus-salmon