Oven Roasted Salmon with Herb Aioli
Master this simple oven-roasted salmon recipe perfect for quick weeknight meals or entertaining. Seasoned with Herbes de Provence and brown sugar, this tender, flaky salmon pairs beautifully with a fresh herb aioli. Ready in just 35 minutes, it’s versatile enough for salads, sandwiches, or standalone dinners.
When I moved into my first apartment back in 2010 I only knew how to make a few dishes. Spaghetti, chicken Cesar salad, and breakfast foods were in heavy rotation. Even the fact that I grew up in the kitchen helping my mom and watching my grandmother cook, there was something different about cooking in my kitchen. I didn’t have anyone looking over my shoulder or giving me directions and for a moment, I missed that. So while I learned how to completely cook on my own I slowly added a few more dishes to my weekly rotation and Salmon was definitely one of them. It wasn’t always roasted and tender but it was edible and I was proud of it. All that said, I think everyone should have a quick, delicious, and simple oven-roasted salmon recipe in their back pocket. The herb aioli is a delicious way to add more flavor to your salmon.
The seasoning for this recipe is very simple and versatile; salt, pepper, Herbes de Provence, and brown sugar. This blend is light, slightly sweet, with a subtle savoriness from the Herbes de Provence. I chose this blend because you can enjoy the flavors with just about any pairing. If you prefer a salmon with a heavier seasoning feel free to add or swap out the seasonings as you please, just keep the cooking method the same.
How to Make this Oven Roasted Salmon with Herb Aioli
Step 1
Start with the Herb Aioli first. Crush the fresh garlic with the side of your knife and discard the peels. Mince very finely. Add a pinch of salt to the garlic and press into the garlic with the flat side of your knife making a paste of the garlic and salt. Try to get it as smooth as possible to avoid having chunks of hard garlic in the aioli. Add the garlic paste mixture to a bowl with the mayo and lemon juice and stir well. Add in the basil, parsley, chives, and black pepper. Cover and refrigerate while making the salmon.
Step 2
Preheat the oven to 375°, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and start preparing the fish. When making salmon always remove it from the refrigerator 10 minutes before you cook it. Rub the oil all over the fish and evenly season with salt, pepper, Herbes de Provence, and brown sugar. Cover the salmon with aluminum foil and bake for 20-25 minutes. Cooking times might vary based on the thickness of your salmon so be sure to keep an eye on it.
Step 2
Once the salmon is almost done, uncover it then switch the oven setting to broil. Broil the uncovered salmon for 3-4 minutes, just until the top of the salmon is golden brown. Check for doneness by inserting a knife into the thickest part of the salmon and it should be light pink. You can also insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part and if it reads 145° it’s done. Remove from the oven and serve immediately.
Serve this salmon with your favorite side dishes and even as a sandwich with the herb aioli. My favorite way to enjoy salmon is in a salad. Again, this is a super versatile recipe, and I encourage you to play around with some of your favorite spices. As long as you follow the cooking method, it will always turn out tender and flaky. Enjoy this oven-roasted salmon with Herb Aioli recipe!
Ingredients
- 3 cloves fresh garlic
- Generous pinch of salt
- ½ cup quality Mayonnaise I use Dukes Mayo
- 2-3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh or dried basil chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh or dried parsley chopped
- 1 tsp fresh dill chopped
- Pinch black pepper
- 1 large fresh salmon filet about 2 pounds
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tablespoon Herbes de Provence
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
Instructions
- Make the Aioli: Make a paste out of the minced garlic and salt, and add it to a bowl with the mayo and lemon juice, stir well. Add in the basil, parsley, dill, and black pepper. Cover and refrigerate while making the salmon.
- Preheat the oven to 375° and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- Rub the salmon with the oil ensuring every part is coated. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Herbes De Provence. Spread the brown sugar onto the salmon and pat it into the fish until evenly coated. Cover the salmon with aluminum foil. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes. The cooking time might vary based on the thickness of the salmon.
- Once the salmon is almost completely cooked, uncover it then switch the oven setting to broil. Broil the uncovered salmon for 3-4 minutes, just until the top of the salmon is golden brown.
- Test for doneness by inserting a knife into the thickest part of the salmon, and it should be light pink. You can also insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part, and if it reads 145°, it's done. Remove from the oven and serve immediately with the aioli.
