Basil Salmon

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.

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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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.

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