Baked Italian Herb-Crusted Salmon with Lemon

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Salmon fillets baked with a fragrant crust of Italian herbs and zesty lemon for a fresh and healthy meal. This italian-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs (5 oz each) salmon fillets, olive oil, Italian seasoning for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 280 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place 4 salmon fillets (5 oz each) skin-side down.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, mix 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tsp Italian seasoning, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp lemon zest, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  3. Step 3: Brush the herb mixture evenly over the top of each salmon fillet.
  4. Step 4: Drizzle 2 tbsp lemon juice over the salmon fillets.
  5. Step 5: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and the crust is fragrant.
  6. Step 6: Remove from oven and let rest for 3 minutes before serving with lemon wedges.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Baked Italian Herb-Crusted Salmon with Lemon take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Baked Italian Herb-Crusted Salmon with Lemon?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (5 oz each) salmon fillets from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Italian Herb-Crusted Salmon with Lemon?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Baked Italian Herb-Crusted Salmon with Lemon for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Baked Italian Herb-Crusted Salmon with Lemon?

Italian seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes