How to Bake Sockeye Salmon

Sockeye, or red, salmon is a species found in the northern Pacific Ocean and the rivers that discharge into it. They grow up to 2 feet 8 inches long, and they have deep red meat. Sockeye salmon is slightly oily with a mild flavor that sits on the palette for seconds after taking a bite. Baked sockeye salmon goes well with light seasonings and has a soft, juicy texture. You will need about 20 minutes to bake sockeye salmon.

Two fresh cuts of sockeye salmon on a cutting board. (Image: tab1962/iStock/Getty Images)

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2

Rinse the salmon fillets under cool water and pat them dry with paper towels. Set the fillets aside at room temperature.

Step 3

Distribute a thin layer of olive oil over the interior of a baking pan with a paper towel. You can also grease the pan with a thin layer of cooking spray.

Step 4

Lay the fillets in the pan and season with minced garlic, salt and pepper. Cover the baking pan with a sheet of aluminum foil.

Step 5

Place the salmon fillets into the oven and bake for 16 minutes or until the flesh flakes easily with a fork. Remove the baking pan from the oven and leave at room temperature for five minutes.

Step 6

Uncover the pan and check the salmon's internal temperature with a meat thermometer. If it does not register at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit, bake uncovered in five-minute increments until it does. Serve while hot.

Things You'll Need

• 4, 8-oz. salmon fillets, skinned and boned

• Paper towels

• Olive oil or cooking spray

• Baking pan

• 4 tbsp. minced garlic

• 1 tsp. sea salt

• 1 tsp. ground black pepper

• Aluminum foil

• Meat thermometer

Tip

If you have a favorite salmon seasoning mixture, use it instead of the garlic, salt and pepper in this recipe.