Name: Baked Salmon with Mayonnaise
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 2 lbs. salmon (side or filet); 1/4 cup mayonnaise; 1 lemon (juice and zest); 2 garlic cloves (minced); 1/2 tbsp. paprika; 1/2 tbsp. italian seasoning

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Baked Salmon with Mayonnaise is a simple and delicious way to prepare salmon that keeps the fish moist and flavorful. Pair with steamed vegetables, rice, or roasted potatoes for a weeknight dinner everyone will love.

two sides of salmon on a baking sheet with lemons and herbs on top.

We eat salmon often in our house, it is something everyone enjoys and it's full of protein. Because of this, I am always looking for new ways to prepare it. We have done pesto butter salmon and air fryer salmon, now for this easy baked salmon with mayo!

This simple method for preparing salmon is great for beginners and seasoned cooks alike. If you are tired of dry fish and you want a no frills recipe, this one's for you. Only 5 minutes of prep time (or less!). Simply whip up the mayo sauce, coat the salmon, and bake.

I kept the seasoning pretty simple, but you can always keep the mayo base and change up the seasonings. Herbed mayo, spicy, mayo, even use my gochujang aioli recipe to coat the salmon.

finished salmon with lemon slices and herbs on top.

Why coat salmon with mayo?

While it may seem like a bit of an out of the box method, using mayonnaise keeps the salmon moist. This is being mayo is made with an oil base!

The oil works as a barrier for retaining moisture in the fish, while seasoning it at the same time, it's a win-win.

Ingredients

Salmon- I used to larger sides of salmon, but individual salmon fillets can be used as well. This recipe works for any type of salmon, wild caught, coho, etc.
Mayonnaise- Any mayo will work, I prefer full fat mayo for a richer taste.
Garlic- Mince it well so the flavor really cuts through the sauce.
Lemon- Lemon and fish are a perfect pairing. I like to have extra lemon wedges on the side for serving.
Spices-

Step by Step Instructions

mayonnaise and seasonings in a small bowl.

Step 1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. In a small bowl, combine mayo, paprika, italian seasoning, lemon juice, lemon zest, and minced garlic.

Step 2. Place salmon skin side down on a baking dish or baking sheet.

two sides of salmon on a baking sheet covered in mayo mixture but uncooked.

Step 3. Spread mayo mixture over top of salmon, dividing the sauce evenly between pieces of salmon.

two sides of mayo salmon on a baking sheet after its been cooked.

Step 4. Place in preheated oven and bake salmon for 15-17 minutes, or until fish is cooked through.

finished baked salmon with mayonnaise with lemons and herbs on top.

Recipe Tips

Allow the salmon to sit on the counter for 15-20 minutes before baking, this will help it bake more evenly.

Bake with the skin side down, so the mayonnaise mixture is touching the fish itself.

How to Serve Baked Salmon

This baked salmon recipe is so simple, it pairs with a wide variety of sides. We enjoy it most often with steamed broccoli and roasted baby potatoes.

Some other ideas include:

mayo baked salmon shown plated with green beans and potatoes.

More fish recipes

Did you enjoy this Baked Salmon with Mayonnaise? I would love for you to let me know by leaving a comment and star rating. I can't wait to hear from you!