Tasty and delicate Chimichurri Baked Salmon coated in a flavorful garlicky herb sauce that makes the perfect dinner for any day of the week! This dish is nutritious, simple to prepare, and ready in less than 20 minutes!
Oh, how I adore a delightful chimichurri sauce during the summer months! This sauce pairs perfectly with EVERYTHING, but it’s especially divine when spooned on top of baked salmon. A combination of fresh herbs, abundant garlic, a touch of spice, and tangy lemon juice make this an incredibly delicious meal that you can truly feel GOOD about eating! One of the many reasons I enjoy cooking salmon is because it’s a quick and hassle-free option for busy weeknights. For this recipe, I opted to bake the salmon in the oven, but you could also grill it or cook it in a skillet.
Why You’ll Absolutely Love this Recipe
- Fresh, delectable, and packed with omega-3s!
- Quick and effortless preparation in under 20 minutes.
- Drizzle extra chimichurri sauce over veggies, roasted potatoes, or other dishes!
- This sauce also pairs wonderfully with chicken, shrimp, or steak.
Essential Ingredients
- Salmon: You’ll need four evenly sized fillets of wild salmon, each weighing around 6 oz, with the skin on. I typically buy fresh salmon from the grocer, but frozen fillets can work too. Just make sure to thaw the salmon if using frozen fillets.
- Olive oil: Used to coat the salmon before baking to achieve a delightful crispiness on top.
- Lemon: I like to squeeze a bit of lemon juice over the salmon to enhance the overall flavor! Alternatively, you can use lime juice for a different twist.
- Salt + black pepper: Enhances the taste.
- Chimichurri sauce: The star of this dish! You’ll adore this fresh chimichurri sauce spooned over the salmon. It’s a delightful combination of fresh parsley and basil (cilantro can be a great alternative!), shallot, garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, and crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy kick. Absolutely delightful!
How to Prepare Chimichurri Salmon
- Prepare the salmon: Place the salmon fillets, skin side down, on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly coated with oil. Brush a little olive oil on top. Squeeze about half a lemon over the salmon, and generously season with salt and black pepper.
- Bake the salmon: Bake the salmon in the oven at 425 degrees F for 8 to 10 minutes per inch of thickness. Then, turn on the broiler and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until the edges of the salmon become crispy. You’ll know the salmon is ready when it easily flakes with a fork and a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the fillet reads 145 degrees F.
- Prepare the chimichurri sauce: While the salmon is baking, combine all the ingredients for the chimichurri sauce in a food processor or blender. Blend until finely chopped.
- Serve and enjoy: Allow the salmon to rest for 5 minutes after baking. Then, spoon about 2 tablespoons of chimichurri sauce over each fillet. You can also spoon extra sauce over veggies or roasted potatoes!
Prepping and Storage
Leftover salmon can be stored in a sealed, airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days, while the chimichurri sauce will last up to 2 weeks. You can easily reheat the salmon in the oven, wrapped in foil, at 325 degrees F for approximately 5 minutes, or simply warm it up in the microwave. Additionally, I love adding leftover salmon to a salad for a protein-packed lunch!
Serving Suggestions for Chimichurri Salmon
- Create salmon bowls served over brown rice, cauliflower rice, quinoa, or any other grain of your choice.
- Drizzle this tantalizing chimichurri sauce over roasted potatoes and veggies for an extra burst of flavor.
- Transform it into a salad by adding some leafy greens and using the chimichurri sauce as a dressing.
- Pair it with a mouthwatering summer salad filled with cherry tomatoes, corn, and red onion for the perfect meal.
More Salmon Recipes You’ll Adore
- Chili Lime Salmon
- Maple Dijon Glazed Salmon
- Hummus Crusted Salmon with Lemon Arugula Salad
- Ginger Basil Salmon in Foil
- Sheet Pan Ginger Soy Glazed Salmon
Hope you all take pleasure in this Chimichurri Baked Salmon recipe, and if you love it as much as I do, please give it a five-star rating below. Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram using the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny! I simply adore seeing all your delightful recreations!
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