You can make this delicious spiced broiled salmon recipe in less than 15 minutes. Broiling is the way to go for a fast, tasty and satisfying salmon dinner!
When it comes to quick dinners, fish and seafood recipes especially salmon are always on the top of my list. There are so many ways to make salmon at home such as baked salmon with lemon, salmon in foil and pan seared salmon with spinach and tomatoes. Today we're looking at a new method of cooking salmon: Broiling! It's a quick way to make this fish at home in less than 15 minutes and it tastes amazing!
Jump to:
Benefits of salmon
Salmon is such an easy ingredient to work with and it pairs well with many other ingredients. It's simple enough to be a dinner for one or two yet fancy enough for a dinner party as well. This fish also comes with many health benefits such as:
- It's a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and protein.
- Each serving has a good amount of potassium and B vitamins.
- It may reduce the risk of heart disease and may fight inflammation.
Baking vs broiling salmon
While both approaches use the oven, broiling and baking are two different cooking methods. The broiler element is usually at the top of the oven whereas the heating element used for baking is at the bottom. Broiling makes the process faster compared to baking that's more of a longer and slower process.
When it comes to baked salmon recipes such as our Mediterranean baked dijon salmon, the oven is usually heated to 400ºF which bakes the salmon in about 20 to 25 minutes. Broiled salmon, on the other hand, is usually ready within 10 to 15 minutes.
Why you'll love this recipe
It goes without saying that salmon is a popular ingredients in many households including ours. While there are so many ways to make salmon at home, we love this particular recipe and have it in our weekly meal plan for many reasons, here are a few:
- It's quick to prepare, which means it takes less than 20 minutes to have a delicious meal on the table
- Minimal prep is required for this recipe, and since we're broiling it, there is no need to preheat the oven. Just turn the broiler on and start preparing the salmon.
- It's nutritious and healthy, as you know, salmon is rich in omega-3 and fatty acids, it's a great source of protein which means it's also a great choice for kids. It's naturally low-crab and gluten-free.
- We have a perfectly tender, moist and flaky salmon every time. It's a foolproof recipe that simply won't go wrong.
- It's one of the easiest ways to make salmon which is perfect for a novice cook who is trying clean eating.
All in all, this is a recipe that I love to have at hand, it's fuss-free, easy and doesn't require additional preparation. What's no to like?
How do you pick the best salmon?
When it comes to buying salmon, there are a few things you need to keep in mind:
- A good quality salmon has a bright orange-red color and marbling. It should not have any brown or dark dots and marks.
- When you lightly poke a quality salmon it will spring back and your finger mark won't show.
- Although wild-caught is always encourages, but if that's not available for any reason, farm-raised would work, too. If buying farm-raised, try to get the sustainable ones.
- Unless you're living in a coastal place where salmon is fresh everyday and never frozen, it's better to opt for frozen salmon.
Seasoning the salmon
Because of its rich flavor and flaky texture, salmon is so easy to work with and you can make it using different herbs and spices. In this broiled salmon recipe, I have used the following spices:
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Dried oregano
- Black pepper
- Dried dill
- Turmeric
These spices mix so well together and add so much flavor to the salmon. Of course you can add or leave out spices according to your preference. I also topped each salmon fillet with one or two lemon slices. Once the salmon is broiled, the lemon becomes so juicy and adds such bright flavor to the fish.
How to make broiled salmon in 15 minutes
- In a small bowl mix garlic powder, onion powder, salt, dried oregano, black pepper, dried dill and turmeric.
- Turn on the broiler to high and brush the salmon with olive oil. Top with all the spices mentioned above and place a slice of lemon on each fillet. I like to add some tomatoes on the vine to broil as well but this is totally optional.
- Place the baking sheet on the top rack under the broiler and broil for about 10 minutes and check for doneness. If needed, broil for another 2-3 minutes until salmon is fully cooked. Serve immediately with your favorite side dish.
Pro tip: Make sure that the salmon fillets are the same size and thickness so they cook evenly. You can also use a side of salmon instead of fillets.
Variations
Now that you are familiar with the broiling technique, it's time to jazz up the flavors and use what's appealing to you. Use the spice mix I've mentioned above and in the recipe or make it spicy using ¼ to ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper.
You can also use my Mediterranean salmon marinade to flavor the fish or use a simple lemon garlic combination with olive oil for this recipe.
Serving suggestions
This easy salmon dinner is a staple in our home and we love having it with different side dishes such as Mediterranean salad or cucumber tomato feta salad.
If you're looking for more filling side dishes, try homemade potato salad or Greek baked fries. You can also serve salmon with something starchy such as herb rice, rice pilaf with orzo, Greek lemon rice or a quick instant pot brown rice for a nice weeknight dinner.
Frequently asked questions
While this completely depends on the size and thickness of the salmon you're using, and whether is a side of salmon or fillets, the approximate timing for broiling salmon is somewhere between 10 to 15 minutes. The heat is high (usually around 550ºF) and direct so keep an eye on the salmon while broiling to avoid dry or burnt salmon.
You don't need to flip the salmon when it comes to broiling. If flipping, the salmon will likely stick to the pan and it would be a pain to separate it. Broil the salmon skin side down (if it's skin-on) and if it's skin-off, simply brush the pan with olive oil or cooking spray.
Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Reheat in a pan or in the oven until fully heated through. You can also use the leftovers to make salmon croquettes.
Per FDA's guidelines, the ideal temperature for cooked salmon is 145ºF. To measure the temperature, insert an instant thermometer into the thickest part of the salmon and read the temperature.
Another way to see if the salmon is done is to try flaking it with a fork. If it's opaque and flakes easily, it's ready to eat.
More salmon recipes
Did you make this recipe? I'd love to hear about it! Please comment and leave a 5-star🌟 rating below. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or subscribe to our newsletter to get a free e-Cookbook!
Step-by-Step Recipe
Easy Broiled Salmon Recipe (15 minutes!)
Ingredients
- 16 oz salmon about 4 fillets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- 2 lemons sliced
Instructions
- Turn the broiler on and set it on hot. Place an oven rack under the broiler, 6 inches from the heat. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
- Place the salmon fillets on the baking sheet and brush them with olive oil.
- Mix all the spices in a bowl and sprinkle the spice mix on the salmon fillets. Place the lemon slices on the fillets.
- Broil in the oven for 10 minutes until the salmon is cooked, opaque in color and flaky.
- Serve warm with your favorite side dish.
Video
Notes
- Depending on the size and thickness of the salmon it could take longer or shorter to broil it.
- You'll know the salmon is cooked when the internal temperature registers at 145 degrees F and you can easily flake the fish using a fork.
- To make this dish into a complete meal, you can serve it with fresh salads such as Mediterranean salad. For starchier side dishes, try homemade potato salad (no mayo), Greek lemon rice or instant pot brown rice.
- Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Reheat in a pan or in the oven until warm.
Noelle
So so simple and adds the best flavor to the salmon, great recipe!
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Thank you Noelle, hope you give it a try!
Sara Welch
What a beautiful and delicious dinner recipe! Worthy of a restaurant, indeed!
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Thank you Sara!
Kelly Anthony
I have never tried to broil my salmon but it looks perfectly cooked so I'm excited to try a new way.
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Thank you Kelly! It's an easy way to make dinner!
Tawnie K Kroll
Such a great recipe! Made it for my husband today and he loved it, thank you!!
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
It's a great dinner!
Andrea Metlika
We love salmon. Tumeric with dill and oregano on this sounds so good.
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Thank you Andrea, turmeric is one of our favorite spices as well!