Old Bay Salmon

I still remember the first time I made old bay salmon for my family. It was a Tuesday night, Donald had just walked in the door from work, and I had about twenty minutes before Alex started asking when dinner would be ready.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Old Bay Salmon
• What You Need For This Old Bay Salmon Recipe
• Old Bay Salmon
• How To Make Old Bay Salmon At Home
• Storing And Reheating Old Bay Salmon
• Fun Ways To Switch Up This Old Bay Salmon
• Old Bay Salmon Questions I Get All The Time
• Recipes You May Like
• Give This Old Bay Salmon A Try

This recipe saved me that night, and honestly, it's been on repeat in our kitchen ever since.

Old bay salmon is exactly what it sounds like. Salmon fillets get rubbed with Old Bay seasoning and a few pantry spices, then roasted until they flake apart with a fork. There's no marinating, no fancy technique, and no long ingredient list. Just real food that tastes like you tried way harder than you actually did.

If you love easy weeknight seafood, you'll also want to bookmark my go-to salmon recipe for another simple dinner that comes together fast.

Growing up, my mom used to make baked fish on Sundays, and the smell of it in the oven still takes me right back to her kitchen. This recipe isn't her exact one, but it has that same feeling of a meal made without much fuss, just good ingredients doing what they do best. I've made it so many times now that I don't even need to measure the spices anymore, though I still write it all out for you so it's foolproof the first time.

Why You'll Love This Old Bay Salmon

This one earns a permanent spot in our dinner rotation, and I think it'll earn one in yours too.

• It's ready in about 20 minutes, start to finish
• The seasoning mix uses spices you probably already have
• It works for busy weeknights and it's nice enough for guests
• The Old Bay gives it a little kick without being spicy
• Sarah, who's usually picky about fish, actually asks for seconds
• You can roast vegetables right alongside it for one less pan to wash

What You Need For This Old Bay Salmon Recipe

Here's what goes into the spice rub and the fish itself. Nothing complicated, just simple ingredients doing a lot of work.

• 1½ pounds salmon fillets (about 4 fillets)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (avocado oil works too)
• 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon dried dill weed
• ½ teaspoon dried parsley

A quick note on substitutions: if you're out of dill, a pinch of dried thyme works in a pinch. And if your family likes things a little spicier, a small dash of cayenne mixed into the rub adds warmth without overpowering the Old Bay.

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How To Make Old Bay Salmon At Home

I've made this recipe more times than I can count, and it comes together the same easy way every single time.

Season The Salmon

Preheat your oven to 450°F. Generously grease a baking sheet, then place the salmon fillets skin side down on top.

Brush each fillet with olive oil. In a small bowl, stir together the Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, dill weed, and parsley.

Rub that spice mix all over the top and sides of the salmon. I like to really press it in so it sticks, especially if you're roasting the fish right after.

Roast It To Perfection

Bake the salmon for about 10 minutes, or until it flakes easily with a fork. If you want to be extra sure, use an instant read thermometer. Salmon is done once it hits 145°F.

Let it rest for a couple of minutes before serving. I learned the hard way that cutting in too soon makes the fillets fall apart on the plate, and presentation matters when you're trying to convince a 12 year old that fish is worth eating.

Make It A Full Meal With Vegetables

Want to turn this into a true one pan dinner? Toss halved brussels sprouts and sliced yellow squash with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast them for 10 minutes first.

Then add your raw, seasoned salmon fillets right around the vegetables and roast for another 10 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through. Dinner and cleanup, both done at once.

If you want another easy side to round things out, my crispy home fries or a quick batch of asian green beans and mushrooms both pair really well with this salmon.

Storing And Reheating Old Bay Salmon

Leftovers, if you have any, keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

To reheat, I like a low oven, around 275°F, for about 10 minutes. This keeps the fish moist instead of drying it out the way a microwave sometimes can.

You can also freeze cooked salmon for up to 2 months. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating gently.

Honestly, leftover old bay salmon doesn't last long around here. Alex likes to flake it over rice the next day, and Donald usually just eats it cold straight out of the fridge, which still makes me laugh every time.

Fun Ways To Switch Up This Old Bay Salmon

Here's the thing about this recipe. Once you've made it a few times, you'll start noticing little ways to make it your own.

• Swap the Old Bay for a Cajun seasoning blend if you want more heat
• Add a squeeze of fresh lemon right before serving
• Brush on a little homemade teriyaki sauce in the last few minutes of roasting for a sweet and savory twist
• Use this same spice rub on salmon patties, like my old fashioned salmon patties, if you have extra fillets to use up

Ever wonder why Old Bay works so well with fish in the first place? It was actually made for seafood boils, so the celery salt and paprika in the blend are basically built to pair with anything that comes from the water.

One thing I'd watch for is over seasoning thin fillets. If your salmon is on the thinner side, use a lighter hand so the spice doesn't overwhelm the fish itself.

Old Bay Salmon Questions I Get All The Time

What temperature should old bay salmon be cooked to?

Salmon is safe to eat once it reaches 145°F internally. I always keep an instant read thermometer nearby so I'm not guessing, especially on busy weeknights when I'm juggling three other things.

How long does salmon take to bake at 450°F?

At that temperature, salmon fillets usually need about 10 minutes. Thicker cuts might need a couple extra minutes, so keep an eye on it and check for that easy, flaky texture.

Can I cook old bay salmon in an air fryer?

Yes, and it works great. Season the fillets the same way, then air fry at 400°F for around 8 to 10 minutes, depending on thickness. It's one of my favorite shortcuts on nights when I don't want to heat up the whole oven.

What vegetables pair well with old bay salmon?

Brussels sprouts and yellow squash are my go to, but asparagus, broccoli, and green beans all work nicely too. Anything that roasts well at high heat is a good match here.

Recipes You May Like

If old bay salmon becomes a regular in your house the way it has in mine, here are a few more dinners worth trying next.

• Savory Baked Dijon Salmon — another quick salmon dinner with a tangy, mustardy twist that's just as fast to pull together
• Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi — if seafood night is a hit at your table, this one's a buttery, garlicky favorite
• Sweet And Spicy Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry — a fun way to mix up your seafood rotation with a little sweet heat

Give This Old Bay Salmon A Try

This is one of those recipes I come back to whenever the week gets away from me. It's simple, it's quick, and it tastes like something special even though it really isn't complicated at all.

I hope it becomes a regular in your kitchen the way it has in ours. Let me know how it turns out for your family, and don't forget to save this one to Pinterest so you can find it again on your next busy weeknight.