Think salmon is dry? Stop overcooking it! This Baked Salmon Temperature Guide has everything you need to know to cook moist, succulent salmon every time. Show
Perfectly cooked salmon is a thing of beauty. It’s moist, tender, flaky, and almost melts in your mouth. Overcooked salmon is a chore. It’s dry, chewy, and will make you want to swear off fish. Follow these tips to determine the correct salmon internal temperature, as well as approximate bake times at various oven temperatures for both a whole side of salmon and individual portions (fillets) of salmon. Salmon Health BenefitsSalmon is an excellent addition to a balanced, healthy diet.
Salmon is good for you. This post will teach you how to make it taste good too! What Is the Proper Temperature for Salmon?What temperature salmon is done cooking depends on who you ask and your personal preference.
After trial and error, I have consistently found that the best temperature for salmon is 135 degrees F.*
Salmon Temperatures by DonenessAnother way to think about salmon temperature is by rare, medium-rare, medium, and well-done. My preference is medium/medium-rare. Remove the salmon from the heat at each of the below temperature ranges, according to your preference.
How to Know When Salmon is DoneBest Way: Use an Instant Read ThermometerThe best, most reliable way to know your salmon is done is to use an instant read digital thermometer. An instant read thermometer is a critical tool in the kitchen. It will save you from overcooking fish and meat. I even use it to determine when banana bread is done.
To use your instant read thermometer to check the salmon for doneness, insert the tip into the thickest part of the fish. Make sure you are in the fillet’s center and not touching the pan. Back Up Method: The Poke TestIf you don’t have an instant read thermometer, you can see if salmon is done by gently pressing down on the top of the fillet.
But really—please buy an instant read thermometer. Salmon Cook Temperatures and TimesHow long to cook salmon will depend upon the size and thickness of your fillet, if it is wild-caught or farm-raised salmon, and if you are cooking a single large portion of salmon or individual fillets.
Please use the below as a high-level guide for baking salmon in the oven, on either a sheet pan or in a baking dish. I’ve included temperatures ranging from 350 degrees F to 450 degrees F. Note that the time will vary based on the size and thickness of your salmon. Check early! Better safe than sorry. Frequently Asked Salmon Baking QuestionsHow Long Do You Bake Salmon at 350 degrees F? 15 to 18 minutes for a 6-ounce fillet or 20 to 25 minutes for a 1 3/4-pound side. How Long Do You Bake Salmon at 375 degrees F? 12 to 16 minutes for a 6-ounce fillet or 18 to 21 minutes for a 1 3/4 pound side. How Long Do You Bake Salmon at 400 degrees F? 11 to 14 minutes for a 6-ounce fillet or 15 to 18 minutes for a 1 3/4-pound side. How Long Do You Bake Salmon at 425 degrees F? 9 to 12 minutes for a 6-ounce fillet or 14 to 15 minutes for a 1 3/4-pound side. How Long Do You Bake Salmon at 450 degrees F? 8 to 10 minutes for a 6-ounce fillet or 11 to 13 minutes for a 1 3/4-pound side. How Do You Bake Salmon Frozen? If you are cooking individual frozen salmon portions, place them in a baking dish, cover the dish with foil, then bake at 425 degrees F for 15 minutes. Uncover and bake 8 to 10 minutes more. Grilled Salmon and Stovetop Pan Salmon TemperaturesWhether you cook salmon in the oven, on the grill, or in a pan on the stove, the internal temperature stays the same: remove at 135 degrees F and let rest.* For more in-depth information on salmon on the stove or grill, see Pan-Seared Salmon, Poached Salmon, and Grilled Salmon in Foil. More Tips to Avoid Overcooking SalmonWhile the best way to avoid cooking salmon is to remove it from the heat when it reaches 135 degrees F on an instant read thermometer, there are a few other tips that can help keep it moist.
Favorite Salmon RecipesYou can find dozens of salmon recipes here. There’s a method and flavor profile for everyone! Here are a few of our most popular baked salmon recipes. These are also excellent ideas if you are looking for ways to season salmon:
More Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Best Kind of Salmon to Buy? If you want the salmon that’s lowest in calories and highest in nutrients, then wild-caught Pacific salmon is the best kind of salmon to buy. Look for king, coho, sockeye, pink, or chum salmon. How Do You Know if Salmon has Gone Bad? If your salmon has gone bad it will smell slightly sour and fishy. Other signs that your salmon has gone bad are mushy, flimsy flesh and discoloration (grey spots, dark spots, or milk-like reside). What’s That White Stuff Oozing Out of My Salmon? (And Can I Eat It?) Don’t panic if you see a white liquid coming from your salmon. This is a protein called albumin that can escape from the salmon when it’s cooked. It is harmless and safe to eat. Why is My Salmon White, Not Pink? There is a variety of king salmon that has a lighter-colored, almost white flesh instead of the classic orange, pink, or reddish hue. This type of king salmon is beloved for its melt-in-your-mouth texture, so enjoy this rare find! What’s the Gray Stuff on the Bottom of Salmon? The gray stuff on the bottom of salmon is fat. It’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids, perfectly fine to eat, and tastes like the rest of the salmon fillet. If you prefer to remove it, you can simply scrape it off before serving. Should I Cook Salmon Skin Off or On? As long as your recipe does not specify whether the skin should be on or off, it’s up to you. Leaving the skin on provides a barrier between the heat and your fish, giving slight protection from overcooking. You can easily remove it once you’re done cooking. However, if you don’t want to mess with removing the skin after you’re done cooking or would like the skin removed for presentation purposes, then cook the salmon with the skin off. Do I Need to Cover Salmon When Cooking? Unless your recipe specifically calls for covering the salmon (for example, if you are using the foil packet method), you do not need to cover it. I hope this post is helpful in answering your questions regarding salmon cook times and temps. If you have further questions, let me know in the comments below. I will do my best to answer them. Go forth and cook great salmon!
Serving: 1of 4 (about 6 ounces)Calories: 288kcalProtein: 34gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 94mgPotassium: 834mgVitamin A: 68IUCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg Join today and start saving your favorite recipesCreate an account to easily save your favorite projects and tutorials. Register **Consuming raw or undercooked salmon or other seafood or shellfish may increase your risk of foodborne illness, especially if you have certain medical conditions.** More Delicious Seafood RecipesAppetizers 10 mins Seafood 45 mins This post contains some affiliate links, which means that I make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you. You May Also LikeBars 6 hrs 50 mins Hi, I'm Erin Clarke, and I'm fearlessly dedicated to making healthy food that's affordable, easy-to-make, and best of all DELISH. I'm the author and recipe developer here at wellplated.com and of The Well Plated Cookbook. I adore both sweets and veggies, and I am on a mission to save you time and dishes. WELCOME! Learn more about Erin Is it better to bake salmon at 350 or 400?Is it better to bake salmon at 350 or 400? Baking salmon at 400 degrees F is the perfect temperature to cook the fish and get crispy skin. If you're looking for a more gentle cooking method, you can bake salmon at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through.
How long does salmon need to cook on 400?Usually, salmon takes 15 to 20 minutes to cook at 400 F if you bake it in foil. The most important thing that you should focus on is the internal temperature. Salmon will be perfectly cooked when the internal temperature is between 145 F and 160 F.
Is it better to bake salmon at 375 or 400?We recommend that you bake frozen salmon for 25-30 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit or until the internal temperature of the salmon should be 145 degrees Fahrenheit. This will ensure that the fish is cooked through and has a flaky texture.
How long should salmon be in the oven at 350?How long to bake salmon. At 350°F (175°C), a salmon fillet takes about 25 minutes to bake, and when it's done, the thickest part should flake easily. At 400°F (C), a piece of salmon takes about 10-15 minutes to bake, or until the temperature reaches 135 degrees at its thickest, most internal part.
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