Lemon Thyme Roasted Salmon
A quick roasted salmon recipe that leans on lemon thyme's built-in citrus note for a bright, easy weeknight dinner.
Lemon thyme's built-in citrus note makes it a natural match for salmon, doing some of the brightening work that a separate squeeze of lemon usually handles, while still bringing thyme's earthy backbone to the dish.
Lemon Thyme Roasted Salmon
Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 15 minutes | Serves: 4
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets, about 6 oz each
- 3 tbsp olive oil, plus more for the pan
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon thyme leaves, finely chopped (or common thyme plus 1 tsp lemon zest)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced, plus extra wedges for serving
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly oil it.
- In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, chopped lemon thyme, and garlic together.
- Pat the salmon fillets dry and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper, then spoon the thyme oil mixture evenly over each fillet.
- Arrange a few thin lemon slices on top of each fillet.
- Roast for 12 to 15 minutes, depending on thickness, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of about 125°F to 130°F (52°C to 54°C) for medium, or 145°F (63°C) for well done.
- Serve immediately with extra lemon wedges on the side.
Notes
Salmon continues to cook slightly after coming out of the oven from residual heat, so it's better to pull it a touch early if you're unsure than to risk overcooking.
Using Common Thyme Instead
If lemon thyme isn't available, common thyme plus a bit of fresh lemon zest gets reasonably close to the same effect, though the flavor won't be quite as integrated as it is with true lemon thyme, where the citrus oils are part of the plant itself. See our thyme varieties guide for more on the difference.
What to Serve With It
This salmon pairs well with a simple side of roasted vegetables, a green salad with thyme vinaigrette to echo the flavor, or plain rice or couscous to soak up the pan juices.
Variations
- Grilled version: This same seasoning works well on the grill instead of roasted - use a foil packet or a well-oiled grill basket to prevent sticking.
- Whole side of salmon: Scale up the seasoning and use a whole side of salmon instead of individual fillets for a dinner-party presentation, adjusting the cooking time up slightly.
- Add capers: A tablespoon of capers scattered over the fillets before roasting adds a briny contrast that works well with the citrus note.
For more on using thyme with fish and other delicate proteins, see our pairing guide, or head back to the complete thyme guide.
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