1. Allow the salmon to rest atop the counter for 15 to 30 minutes, or until it has (almost) reached room temperature.
2. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Aluminum foil should be used to line a baking pan (you can also use a non-stick skillet that is oven-proof).
3. Using paper towels, wipe the salmon filets until they’re dry on all sides. Lay the salmon with the skin-side facing down on the baking sheet that has been prepared (or skillet, if using). If the salmon filets’ ends are very thin, tuck them under a little so that they can cook more evenly.
4. Brush the salmon with oil on all its sides (leave out the bottom though). Season each salmon filet afterwards with a generous dash of salt and black pepper, and any dry seasonings you’d like to include.
5. Bake the salmon till it reaches an internal temperature of 135 to 140°F degrees, this should take about 4 to 6 minutes for every half inch of thickness (measure this from the thickest section of the filet). Insert a knife or fork into the filet and twist it a little to see whether it’s done; at this point, the fish should have an opaque quality and should flake readily.
6. Take the pan out of the oven and place the salmon on a clean serving platter, either with or without the skin. Add freshly squeezed lemon juice to each filet, as well as any more fresh herbs to taste (you can also use a sauce if you want).
7. While the filets are still warm, serve them and enjoy.

This oven-baked salmon recipe should take only about 15 minutes from the beginning to the end of your cooking. These 15 minutes include a prep time of 5 minutes and an active cook time of 10 minutes. Besides being quick and easy to make, it’s also simple to personalize with your favorite ingredients, and it yields such delicious results.

In case you’d love to get some more ideas or inspiration for cooking salmon in the oven at 450, we recommend that you check out this video recipe.