This broiled salmon recipe is fresh salmon lightly coated with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. 5-minute prep and a 10-minute broil make this quick and easy dinner recipe a weeknight win ... date night too! Learn how to cook salmon using your broiler and you might not do it any other way!
It took me years to come around to loving salmon. For the longest time, I didn't get the hype. I always just found it to be dry and that was the deal-breaker. Then, something magical happened. At some point, I started broiling my salmon and stopped overcooking it. Uhm, hello!
Seriously, I never knew salmon could be so juicy, flaky, and downright desirable! In fact, I don't bother ordering salmon at restaurants unless I know the chef. So, if I'm craving it, this broiled salmon recipe never disappoints!
Broiled Salmon Ingredients
Visit recipe card below 👇🏼 for printable amounts and instructions
- fresh salmon fillets (we use frozen wild skin-on sockeye)
- extra virgin olive oil (or any oil)
- salt
- pepper
- garlic granules
How to broil salmon
Visit recipe card below 👇🏼 for printable amounts and instructions
- Adjust oven rack and preheat broiler to HIGH.
- Lay salmon on baking pan and coat with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Place salmon under broiler 7-10 minutes until salmon is opaque and flakes easily.
- Allow to rest a few minutes, then serve.
There are many ways to prepare salmon and get scrumptious, juicy results. But, if you don't know how to cook salmon without overcooking it, broiled salmon is virtually foolproof!
How long to cook salmon under a broiler
You'll notice that my instructions say to broil salmon for 7 to 10 minutes. If you like salmon and to be medium-rare, take it out of the oven after seven minutes and check for doneness. If you like salmon to be more well-done, but still juicy, check it after 10 minutes under the broiler. If it needs more time, pop it back under the broiler in 1-2 minute intervals.
Baked salmon or broiled salmon. What's the difference?
Broiled salmon and baked salmon both use dry heat and are both cooked in the oven. However, broiled salmon uses more direct heat and higher heat, around 550°F. Baked salmon is usually done at around 400°. So, broiled salmon spends less time in the oven, giving it less time to dry out, making it more juicy and tender.
I think of broiled salmon as the perfect cooking method for anyone who doesn’t know how to cook salmon, or any fresh fish. It's virtually hands-free and uses minimal cooking skills.
What temperature is salmon when it’s done?
The FDA recommends a minimum internal temperature of 145° for cooked salmon. Some (myself included) prefer juicier and more tender results of salmon when it’s cooked closer to 125°F.
Measure the temperature of salmon by placing a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the cooked salmon immediately upon removing it from the oven.
How to know when salmon is cooked
Salmon is cooked when the flesh is opaque (no longer translucent) and “flakes” apart. Keep in mind that salmon will continue to cook even after it has been removed from the heat source, so it’s easy to mistake the timing and overcook it. Knowing how long to broil salmon becomes more intuitive with practice. The most effective way to know is by using a meat thermometer.
How to cook salmon with the skin on
When you cook salmon with the skin on, it adds great flavor and won't fall apart during transfer, just like my Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass. Not only that, but removing skin from raw fish fillets is very difficult and not worth the effort.
To broil salmon with the skin on, always use parchment paper, a silicone baking mat, or coat the skin with cooking oil. Any of these options will prevent the salmon from sticking to the baking pan. Serve broiled salmon with the skin intact, or simply peel it off before serving. It's totally up to you. I always serve it with the skin and let the people decide if they want to eat it.
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Do you flip salmon when cooking it?
When cooking salmon in the oven, baked or broiled, there's no need to flip it. Doing so creates unnecessary steps. The beauty of baking and broiling salmon is that it's hands-free. Also, the broiler thoroughly cooks salmon as long as you cook it for the appropriate amount of time relative to its size.
Tools needed to broil salmon
What to serve with broiled salmon
- Garlicky Oven Roasted Mushrooms
- Macaroni Salad
- Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
- Grilled Portobello Mushrooms
- Tortellini Pesto Pasta Salad
More seafood recipes
- Garlic Butter Grilled Salmon
- Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass
- Instant Pot Shrimp Pasta with Lemon Cream Sauce
Quick and easy dinner recipes
- Juicy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
- Easy Baked Chicken Legs
- Taco Pasta (Instant Pot or stove)
- Italian Sausage Soup with Orzo
- Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo
Easy Broiled Salmon Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 3/4" Fresh Salmon Fillets skin-on or off, bones removed
- 1 tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1/8 tsp Kosher Salt
- 1/8 tsp Pepper
- 1/8 tsp Garlic Powder
RECIPE VIDEO
Recipe Instructions
- Position oven rack 8” from broiler. Preheat broiler to HIGH. Line a baking pan with parchment paper or coat pan with cooking spray.
- Place SALMON skin side down on the baking pan.
- Drizzle OLIVE OIL and spread to coat evenly. Sprinkle SALT, PEPPER, and GARLIC POWDER over salmon.
- Broil 7-10 minutes. Salmon will be opaque and will flake easily with a fork *see recipe note
- Allow to rest a few minutes. Serve warm garnished with fresh lemon and chopped parsley.
RECIPE NOTES
Salmon thickness varies, which affects the degree of doneness in the given broiling time. If your salmon needs more time under the broiler, go for it! (I personally like mine med-rare, but you might like well-done). Other broiled salmon tips • Skin-on or skinless salmon will work for this recipe. • We often use wild Sockeye salmon fillets for this recipe, but any type of salmon filet can be broiled • I’ve broiled a whole side of salmon using this exact recipe. It required a few more minutes under the broiler and I used the same techniques as I use with the smaller fillets. • For even heating, always line up salmon fillets directly under the broiler flame.
Nutrition
Nutrition data provided as courtesy estimates using unbranded ingredients from a nutrition database. Please consult preferred resource for precise data.
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I'm always looking for new ways to cook salmon and I can't wait to try this recipe. Sounds simple, easy and perfect for dinner this week!
Thanks, Kathryn! Glad you can enjoy this one. It's such an easy salmon recipe 😋
Yum! This was such a tasty dinner... the whole family gobbled it up. I'll definitely be making again!
Awesome, Kim! That's a home run...thanks for letting me know 💚
I love that this has the perfect amount of lemon and spices. I can't wait to try this one.
Thanks, Shanna! Glad you can enjoy this one 😋
This salmon recipe is just the thing I'm looking for when I don't have much time but I want a healthy dinner. Great with a nice green salad.
Thanks, Sharon! I'm right there with you! Salmon is so healthy and easy 👏🏼👏🏼
We love this simple, delicious and healthy way to cook salmon! There is nothing worse than overcooked salmon and broiling seems to be foolproof. Thanks!
I've never had salmon broiled before. I love it every way I have had it, though, so I'm going to give this a try. It looks so easy!
I never thougt the simple, basic ingredients can also make a dish super hit. The killer recipe does not rely on the ingredients but rely on the process we make. This is a clearly written easy to follow recipe. I'm happy here.
This is very well-said, Sujatha ❤️ You're so right...this broiled salmon is all about the process 😍 Thank you!
Salmon is my favorite fish. This is so easy and it looks delicious. Can't wait to make this for my family.
Thanks, Andrea! Glad your family enjoys broiled salmon 🙂
Such a perfect recipe for busy weeknight evenings! Saving this thanks for the recipe!
Thanks, Cate! Broiled salmon is def a fav for busy days. Enjoy!
5 minute prep and 10 minute broil, that is my kind of recipe, plus I love salmon so this is a perfect meal to make.
Thanks so much, Jere! Love hearing that you love salmon too 🙂
What an amazing salmon recipe 👌🏻 This was delish!
Awesome, Stephanie! So glad you liked it...broiled salmon is my FAV way to enjoy salmon 🙂
This broiled salmon is the answer to my weeknight meal! I love salmon and this gave it the perfect texture.
Thanks, Emily! So glad you can enjoy this one 🙂
I love salmon and I'm always looking for new recipes. This broiled salmon is so easy and delicious.
If you want easy and delicious, this broiled salmon recipe is for you! Thanks 🙂
This salmon looks perfectly cooked. Great with a feta salad.
Thanks, Danni! Yep, we're crazy about perfect salmon 🙂
Salmon is my favourite fish and I am loving everything about this. It looks so healthy and delicious too, yum!! It is great that this recipe doesn't take that long to cook either!
Thanks, Adrianne! So glad you can enjoy this one 🙂
Amazing! My salmon turned out absolutely perfect thanks to this recipe
Awesome, Michelle! So glad to hear it 🙂 Thanks!
That looks perfectly cooked! Looks delicious too
Thanks, Priya...love hearing that 🙂
This looks like such a simple and flavorful recipe -- perfect for my next menu! Thank you for sharing it.
Awesome, Biana! Yes, simple and flavorful indeed 🙂