A simple yet delicious recipe for Baked Salmon with Mayonnaise. This 6-ingredient, 20-minute recipe is fresh, savory and perfect for weeknights.

Salmon filet topped with creamy herb sauce set on a plate with broccoli, lemon wedge and a fork.

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Cooking with Salmon

Salmon is one of my top three favorite things to cook and eat because it’s quick-cooking, flavorful, and versatile. My usual weeknight go-to is this incredibly simple (just salt, pepper and salmon) and always perfect Pan-Seared Salmon. It’s a slam dunk every time. 

Aside from pan-searing, salmon is also great grilled, roasted, simmered in a curry sauce, or formed into patties and fried—all of which can be found in this list of 15 healthy salmon recipes.

A few things to keep in mind when buying and cooking with salmon: 

  • Choose filets that are glossy and firm to the touch.
  • Salmon filets should smell fresh and clean, and slightly briny or like the ocean. Fresh fish should never smell “fishy.”
  • Salmon filets should have a bright contrast between the muscle and the fat.
  • Check the recipe for notes on how thick the salmon filets should be—thickness dictates how long the cook time will be.

Do you love salmon?

If you love salmon as much as we do, make sure to try all of our dozens of other salmon recipes too!

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Why I Love This Recipe 

This Baked Salmon with Mayo is another example of how simple preparation—and ingredients—can turn salmon into an outstanding meal. Just 6 ingredients and 20 minutes is all you need to create restaurant-worthy salmon that’s loaded with flavor.

salmon filets, lemon, dill, mayo, breadcrumbs and shallot set out on a counter

Ingredients in Mayonnaise Salmon

  • Whole wheat panko, an optional topping to add a bit of crunch.
  • Skin-on salmon filets are ideal here. The skin keeps the salmon moist while cooking! Look for filets that are 1 to 1-½ inches thick.
  • Mayonnaise, I prefer to use avocado oil or olive oil mayonnaise.
  • Lemon, use the zest in the mayonnaise topping then cut the zested lemon into wedges and serve with the finished meal. 
  • Shallot, for a dose of onion/garlic flavor.
  • Fresh dill also pairs really well with salmon and adds a lovely herby flavor. 
two images showing mayo, herbs, shallot and lemon zest added to a bowl and them mixed together

How to Make Mayonnaise Salmon

  1. Toast the breadcrumbs in the oven for a few minutes until their golden brown.
  2. While the breadcrumbs toast, mix together the mayonnaise topping. 
  3. Transfer the toasted breadcrumbs to a bowl and coat the baking sheet with nonstick spray.
  4. Pat the salmon dry, then arrange skin side-down on the baking sheet. Season the salmon with kosher salt and black pepper.
  5. Divide the mayo mixture between salmon filets and spread over top.
  6. Bake until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 125ºF (52ºC). 
two images showing salmon filets arranged on a baking sheet then salmon filets topped with a mayonnaise sauce

How Long to Bake Salmon at 350ºF

When salmon is baked at 350ºF (176ºC), it will take about 5 minutes per ½-inch thickness to cook. So, if at its thickest, the filet is 1 ½ inches, the bake time will be about 15 minutes.

The best way to check for doneness is to use an instant-read thermometer. 

According to the FDA, salmon should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145ºF (63ºC). However, many chefs and home cooks prefer their salmon to be more medium. If you prefer salmon cooked to medium, I recommend cooking it to 125ºF (52ºC) to 130ºF (54ºC). If you prefer salmon medium-rare, cook it to 120ºF (49ºC) Keep in mind, the internal temperature will increase as it rests.  

If you don’t have a thermometer, you can check doneness of oven baked salmon by testing whether or not it flakes with a fork. It’s done when it just starts to flake.

baked salmon topped with a creamy herb sauce on a baking sheet

What to Serve with Mayonnaise Salmon

Since the salmon is so flavorful, I prefer to keep the side dish simple. Steamed broccoli, sauteéd green beans or a simple green salad is perfect.

More Salmon Recipes

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Salmon filet topped with creamy herb sauce set on a plate with broccoli, lemon wedge and a fork.

Baked Salmon Recipe with Mayonnaise

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Description

An easy and delicious salmon recipe that can be made any night of the week.

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 tablespoons whole-wheat Panko
  • 4 (6-ounce) skin-on salmon filets
  • 1/4 cup avocado oil or olive oil mayonnaise
  • 1 lemon, zested
  • 2 tablespoons minced shallot
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill
  • Kosher salt and black pepper

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 350ºF (176ºC) with rack set in middle position.
  2. Arrange breadcrumbs on baking sheet in an even layer; bake until toasted and golden, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
  3. Meanwhile, zest lemon then cut lemon into wedges. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, dill, shallot, ½ teaspoon lemon zest, ½ teaspoon pepper, and ¼ teaspoon kosher salt.
  4. Coat baking sheet with nonstick spray. Arrange salmon, skin-side down, on sheet; pat dry with paper towels. Season salmon with ½ teaspoon each kosher salt and pepper.
  5. Spread mayonnaise mixture evenly over salmon.
  6. Roast salmon until it easily flakes with a fork and a thermometer inserted in the center registers 125ºF, 15–20 minutes.
  7. Sprinkle salmon with toasted breadcrumbs, serve with lemon wedges.

Notes

Thickness matters when it comes to bake time. Look for filets that have a thickness of at least 1 inch. If you have thinner filets, keep an eye on them as they cook. Every ½-inch of thickness equals 5 minutes baking time.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baking

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 filet
  • Calories: 342
  • Sugar: 0g
  • Sodium: 757mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Carbohydrates: 3g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 34g
  • Cholesterol: 80mg

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