10+ Salmon Recipes for Beginners: Easy and Delicious Dishes to Try

Salmon is a delicious and healthy fish that can be easy to prepare, making it a great choice for beginners in the kitchen. Finding simple salmon recipes can help you build confidence and skills while enjoying a tasty meal. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or for family and friends, salmon can be cooked in various ways, offering plenty of options to explore.

In this article, you’ll discover some beginner-friendly salmon recipes that are quick and straightforward. By trying out these recipes, you’ll learn how to cook salmon perfectly while experimenting with different flavors and techniques. Cooking salmon at home can be enjoyable and rewarding, allowing you to impress your taste buds and your loved ones.

1) Easy Lemon Garlic Salmon

This Easy Lemon Garlic Salmon is perfect for beginners. It’s quick to prepare and bursting with flavor. You will enjoy making this dish, which can be ready in just about 15 minutes.

Start by gathering your ingredients. You will need fresh salmon, lemon, garlic, and a few herbs. A simple mix of olive oil or butter will enhance the taste.

To cook, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the salmon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with olive oil, then add minced garlic and slices of lemon on top. Bake for about 12-15 minutes.

The salmon should be flaky and tender when done. Serve it with your favorite sides for a complete meal. Enjoy the zesty flavor!

Ingredients

• Salmon fillets
• Olive oil or butter
• Fresh garlic, minced
• Lemon slices
• Fresh herbs (like parsley)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place salmon on a baking sheet.
3. Drizzle with olive oil.
4. Add minced garlic and lemon slices.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes.

2) Tin Foil Salmon with Herbs

Tin foil salmon is a great way to enjoy a delicious and healthy meal with minimal cleanup. Using herbs adds wonderful flavors that make the dish special.

To start, you will need a large piece of aluminum foil. Place your salmon fillet in the center. Season it with your favorite herbs such as dill, parsley, or thyme. Add some lemon slices for a fresh taste.

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Wrap the foil around the salmon to create a sealed packet. This keeps the moisture in and cooks the fish evenly. Bake for about 15-20 minutes.

Enjoy your tasty and easy tin foil salmon with herbs alongside some steamed vegetables or rice.

Ingredients

• 1 salmon fillet
• Fresh herbs (dill, parsley, or thyme)
• 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place the salmon on a large piece of foil.
3. Season with herbs, salt, and pepper.
4. Add lemon slices on top.
5. Drizzle with olive oil.
6. Wrap the foil to seal the salmon.
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes.

3) Garlic Butter Pan Seared Salmon

Garlic butter pan seared salmon is a simple and tasty dish perfect for beginners. It cooks quickly and delivers a delicious flavor. You can enjoy it with a side of veggies or rice.

To make this dish, you will need fresh salmon fillets, unsalted butter, garlic, lemon, and parsley. The combination of garlic and butter helps the salmon stay juicy.

Ingredients

• 4 (6-ounce) skin-on salmon fillets
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium lemon, juiced
• 2 sprigs fresh parsley, chopped

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add the butter and let it melt.
3. Place the salmon fillets, skin side down, in the skillet.
4. Cook for 4-5 minutes or until golden and crispy.
5. Flip the fillets and add garlic.
6. Squeeze lemon juice over the salmon and cook for another 4-5 minutes.
7. Serve with chopped parsley on top.

4) Simple Baked Honey Salmon

Baking honey salmon is a great way for beginners to enjoy a tasty and healthy meal. The sweet and savory glaze makes the salmon flavorful and appealing.

To start, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

You will need salmon fillets, honey, soy sauce, garlic, and pepper. Mix the honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic together. Brush this mixture over the salmon.

Place the salmon on the baking sheet and bake for about 15-20 minutes. The salmon should be flaky and cooked through.

Enjoy your delicious, simple baked honey salmon. It pairs well with rice or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• Salmon fillets
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. In a bowl, mix honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic.
4. Brush the mixture over the salmon fillets.
5. Place the salmon on the baking sheet.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the salmon is flaky.

5) Quick Citrus Salmon Foil Packets

Quick Citrus Salmon Foil Packets are a fantastic choice for beginners. They are simple to prepare and cook quickly. You can have a healthy meal ready in about 30 minutes.

To make this dish, you need fresh salmon fillets, citrus slices, herbs, olive oil, and a bit of salt and pepper. Wrap everything in foil for easy cleanup and moist salmon.

Ingredients

• 2 salmon fillets
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh herbs (like parsley or dill)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Lay out a large piece of foil.
3. Place salmon in the center of the foil.
4. Top with citrus slices, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
5. Fold the foil to create a sealed packet.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Enjoy!

6) Five-Ingredient Basil Salmon

This Five-Ingredient Basil Salmon is a quick and simple dish perfect for beginners. With just a few ingredients, you can create a flavorful meal that everyone will enjoy.

Start with fresh salmon fillets. Season them with salt, garlic powder, and dried basil for a tasty boost. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat and add the fillets.

Cook for about 4–5 minutes on each side until the salmon flakes easily. Squeeze fresh lemon over the top for a bright finish. It’s a healthy and easy option for dinner!

Ingredients

• 4 (6 ounce) salmon fillets
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 lemon

Cooking Instructions

1. Season the salmon fillets with salt, garlic powder, and dried basil.
2. Heat butter in a pan over medium heat.
3. Place the salmon fillets in the pan.
4. Cook for 4–5 minutes on each side.
5. Squeeze lemon juice over the cooked salmon before serving.

7) Beginner’s Maple Glazed Salmon

Maple glazed salmon is an easy recipe that’s perfect for beginners. The sweet and savory glaze makes it delicious, and you can have it ready in no time.

To start, you’ll need some salmon fillets. You will also need Dijon mustard, soy sauce, garlic, and of course, maple syrup.

First, mix the glaze ingredients in a bowl. Then, coat the salmon with this mixture.

Place the salmon in a baking dish and bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 15 minutes. The salmon should be flaky when done.

This recipe is quick, healthy, and tasty. Your family will love it!

Ingredients

• Salmon fillets
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup maple syrup

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a bowl, combine mustard, soy sauce, garlic, and maple syrup.
3. Coat the salmon with the glaze.
4. Place in a baking dish.
5. Bake for 15 minutes or until flaky.

8) Quick and Easy Salmon Tacos

Salmon tacos are a fun and delicious way to enjoy this healthy fish. They are quick to prepare, making them perfect for busy weeknights. You can have them ready in just 20 minutes!

Start with some chili-rubbed salmon, cooked until it’s flakey. Warm some tortillas and add a fresh slaw for crunch. Top it all with avocado for a creamy finish.

You can customize your tacos with toppings like salsa or cheese to suit your taste. This recipe is perfect for beginners who want to enjoy a tasty meal without too much fuss.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) salmon fillets
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 8 corn tortillas
• 1 cup cabbage slaw
• 1 avocado, sliced
• Lime wedges

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your pan over medium-high heat (375°F / 190°C).
2. Rub the salmon with chili powder and season with salt.
3. Cook salmon for about 6-8 minutes on each side until flakey.
4. Warm the tortillas in a separate pan.
5. Assemble tacos with salmon, slaw, and avocado.
6. Serve with lime wedges on the side.

9) Herb-Crusted Salmon Fillet

Cooking herb-crusted salmon is a great way to enjoy this healthy fish. It’s easy to make and bursting with flavor. The herbs create a delicious crust that pairs well with the tender salmon inside.

To make this dish, you will need some simple ingredients like fresh herbs, garlic, and butter. You can also add lemon for a bright touch. This meal is perfect for a quick dinner option.

Ingredients

• 2 salmon fillets
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a bowl, mix butter, parsley, dill, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread the herb mixture on top of the salmon fillets.
4. Place the salmon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

10) One-Pan Teriyaki Salmon

One-pan teriyaki salmon is a simple and tasty dish that you can whip up quickly. It combines savory salmon with fresh vegetables for a well-rounded meal. Plus, it only uses one pan, making cleanup a breeze!

First, marinate the salmon in a homemade teriyaki sauce. While the salmon soaks up the flavors, prepare your favorite vegetables. Broccoli works well, but you can choose any veggies you like.

Once everything is ready, bake it all together. In about 20 to 30 minutes, your delicious meal will be ready to enjoy!

Ingredients

• 2 salmon fillets
• 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (like broccoli and bell peppers)
• Cooking oil
• Sesame seeds (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Marinate the salmon in teriyaki sauce for 15 minutes.

3. Spread vegetables on a baking sheet and drizzle with oil.

4. Place the salmon on top of the vegetables.

5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the salmon is cooked through.