Baked Salmon has to be one of my favorite ways to prepare salmon. The flesh stays incredibly tender and moist, and it's easy to cook a huge batch. I love covering it in a layer of mayonnaise and lemon slices. The mayonnaise is creamy and rich, and the lemon slices add a wonderful brightness.
Looking for more easy dinners? Try my salmon rice bowls next!
About This Recipe
This baked salmon with mayo is actually a dish I learned from one of my wife's friends. I remember she made it at her birthday party once, and I couldn't stop eating it! I asked my wife to ask her for the recipe, and now I'm sharing it with you guys.
The recipe comes together in only 30-ish minutes. I opted to use an entire side of salmon, which I got from Costco, but I sliced it into smaller fillets before cooking it so it would be easier to serve (salmon gets really messy to cut once the flesh is cooked).
The main flavoring comes from mayo and lemon slices. They pair so well together, and even better with this salmon. I also created a basic spice rub to sprinkle on top of the salmon before adding the mayonnaise. Everything comes together so well. You're going to love this recipe!
Key Ingredients
Salmon fillets: I used a whole side of salmon and cut it into individual fillets. You can leave it whole if you want, but the reason I cut it up is because it makes serving easier. Once the salmon is cooked, it gets very flaky and makes it difficult to cut it cleanly
Mayonnaise: I used Kewpie mayo! Kewpie mayo is a Japanese style of mayo made with only egg yolks, it has a very rich flavor. You can just use regular mayonnaise though.
Spice rub: Sugar, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, salt.
Lemon: Cut into thin slices and then arrange on top of the salmon.
Instructions
STEP 1: Place the salmon on a parchment-lined baking sheet. In a small bowl, combine the sugar, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Sprinkle over the salmon.
STEP 2: Spread the mayonnaise all over the salmon.
STEP 3: Arrange the lemon slices over the salmon. I did two slices per filet.
STEP 4: Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes until the flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. I also sprinkled some chopped parsley on top for color.
Baked Salmon with Mayo
Ingredients
- 2 pounds fresh salmon filets
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ teaspoon sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 large lemon (sliced)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350℉ and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the salmon skin-side down on the parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, combine the sugar, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Sprinkle this all over the salmon.
- Spread the mayo in an even layer over the salmon.
- Arrange the lemon slices on top of the salmon.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the salmon is opaque and flakes with a fork.
Jill
Making this for the second time. Love how this recipe makes the dryer wild salmon so moist and flavorful. It’s now in my list of favorites.
Grumpy
So glad to hear it, Jill. Enjoy!