Basil Salmon is a fresh, flavorful fish dish you can have prepped and on your table in less than half an hour. It makes a delicious and easy weeknight meal!
Change up dinner with these yummy baked salmon filets. It tastes great, and it’s a nice source of protein that’s healthy for you, too! The basil marinade brings so much flavor to the salmon. Make it even better with a slice of lemon on the side.
SAVE THIS SALMON BASIL RECIPE TO YOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST BOARD!
I adapted this recipe from allrecipes.com. It recommends marinating it in the fridge for 1 hour before baking, but since I was pressed for time when making this, that wasn’t an option. This was so yummy without the extra marinating time that I wonder how much better it would have been if I had!
It pairs nicely with some grilled vegetables, or I serve it on a bed of rice.
Ingredients for my Basil Salmon Recipe
You only need a handful of simple ingredients for this meal. Here’s what I pulled together:
- Salmon fillet, about a pound and a half
- Olive oil
- Minced garlic
- Fresh basil
- Pinch of salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Fresh parsley
Be sure to check out the printable recipe card below for the detailed ingredient list!
How to Make Basil Salmon
This recipe is super simple to make. Here’s how I make it:
- First, I preheat my oven to a temp of 400 degrees F. Then I prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by lining it with a sheet of aluminum foil long enough on each side to fold over and contain the salmon.
- Next, I combine the olive oil, minced garlic, basil, salt, black pepper, and parsley in a small bowl and mix until well-combined. You can blend them up with an immersion blender if you want, but I usually just stir them together.
- I cut the salmon fillet into four even pieces, place them in the baking pan, and pour the marinade over each piece. Then I carefully fold over the tin foil, securing the sides and ends to make a large packet that will contain the steam.
- Finally, I place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Since each oven’s cooking time may vary, you can start checking the salmon at about 20 minutes. I know it’s done when the fish flakes apart easily with a fork and is pink throughout. Be careful not to overcook it!
Recipe Notes
- Add some red pepper flakes for a little spicy kick!
- Serve with a lemon wedge, and drizzle some fresh lemon juice over the salmon before eating it, or grate a little lemon zest on it before baking!
- Using tin foil for cooking is the key to perfectly cooked salmon. It retains the moisture so the fish doesn’t dry out in the oven. You could also cook them on a grill this way!
FAQs
How do I store leftover Basil Salmon?
Cool leftovers completely, then transfer them to an airtight container or wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap. Store in the fridge for 3-4 days, or freeze for up to a month.
You can re-use leftovers in a salad or wrap, or warm it up to eat too.
Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh herbs?
Yes, you can, although I love the fresh flavor of herbs straight from the garden or store! Use 1 tsp dried herbs for every tablespoon of fresh herbs.
More Salmon Recipes
- If you like this Basil Baked Salmon, you’ll enjoy this Ginger Honey Salmon. I LOVE the combination of flavors in it.
- This Brown Sugar Honey Salmon with Caramelized Pineapple is quite delicious. Fruit is always such a great accompaniment for fish.
- The combination of the flavors in the Mustard Pecan Crusted Salmon made me eat every last bite!
- An easy dinner that comes together in less than 15 minutes, this Chimichurri Salmon is healthy and full of flavor. This recipe is one I’ll definitely be making again and again!
- Light, fresh, and bursting with flavor, this Grilled Salmon with Mango Salsa is the perfect balance of smoky and sweet. The tender, flaky salmon pairs nicely with the bright, tropical mango salsa, featuring fresh lime, cilantro, and just a touch of heat.
- Enjoy this creamy Smoked Salmon Dip at your next party! Chunky smoked salmon is combined with cream cheese, mayo, and sour cream and flavored with lemon and fresh herbs.
During my original 365 days of baking, I rated everything I baked on a scale of 1-4 rolling pins and this easy salmon recipe earned 3 ½ rolling pins. I don’t typically like to eat fish, but this was really good and barely tasted fishy. I really loved the taste of the basil on it, and sprinkled some fresh lemon juice over it to brighten it up, too.
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Basil Salmon
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb. salmon
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 1 clove minced garlic
- 1 ¾ teaspoon fresh basil
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 1.5 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- In a small bowl, combine olive oil, garlic, basil, salt, pepper, and parsley. Mix well.
- Cut salmon fillet into four even pieces.
- In a 9 X 13-inch baking dish, place a sheet of tin foil long enough on each side to fold over and contain the salmon.
- Place the salmon fillets onto the tin foil. Pour marinade over each.
- Carefully fold the tin foil over the fillets, securing the sides and ends, encasing them so that the steam helps them to bake.
- Place baking dish in oven and bake for 25-30 minutes.
- Check salmon at about 20 minutes. If the fish flakes when pulled apart with a fork and is pink then it is cooked. Be careful not to overcook it.
- Served with slices of lemon, if desired.
Nutrition
This Basil Baked Salmon was Day 215, on September 20, 2011 in my original 365 Days of Baking. It has been updated in format and with pictures on August 19, 2026.
Comments & Reviews
You are an inspiration! How can you manage to cook something different everyday?! Wow.
Wow!! Double Wow!! It’s great to have a love like that, cherish it. Salmon is my favorite fish. This
sounds delicious, so I’ll be making it soon.
Love this, we eat a lot of salmon and I’m always looking for new ways to prepare it. I have baked my salmon with pesto spread over it, but this looks so much more fresh. Love the colors together!
This looks like an excellent salmon dish and your husband sounds like a great man as well.
Water spoiled from my mouth. I haven’t enjoyed salmon since two months, because doctor advised me to avoid fatty food.
This sounds great, but you don’t have how much lemon you used in the marinade e recipe. I’m always looking for new salmon recipes and this sounds like a keeper. Looking forward to making this. Thanks for the recipe.
Thank you for sharing this recipie, I made this tonight, and it was amazing!! I am am going to freeze the leftover miso mixture in an ice cube tray for easy measurement in the future. For soft boiled eggs place eggs in 1″ boiling water, cover and cook for 6 minutes exactly, and they come out perfectly. Thanks again!
Great that you are feeling better. This soup looks delicious. I love a good, simple recipe!
It’s going to be end of mine day, except before end I am reading this wonderful article to increase my knowledge
Hello, i think that i saw you visited my blog thus i came to “return the favor”.I’m attempting to find things to enhance my website!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!
Ooh, I’ll have to try this! I love fried chicken but with a toddler we have to watch what we serve at meals! Now I can have fried chicken again!
A crock pot white chicken chili? That sounds great, I’ll be looking forward to that recipe! The chicken hoisin rice bowls also sound amazing. I love getting recipe ideas from you.
Paul Brown
So good especially with fresh basil from the garden