Smoked paprika roasted salmon is a truly easy recipe, and its bold smoky flavor is simply wonderful.
This recipe is one of my favorite ways of preparing salmon fillets (this simple baked salmon with olive oil, garlic and thyme is another good one, and grilled salmon is a summer classic).
I’ve been making it quite often lately because salmon is so good for you (especially if you use wild-caught). And everyone in my family really enjoys it seasoned with smoked paprika. It’s a good combination of two bold, distinct flavors.
The ingredients you’ll need
You’ll only need a few simple ingredients to make smoked paprika roasted salmon (the exact measurements are included in the recipe card below):
Olive oil: This is by far my favorite oil to cook with. It’s so delicious! But if you’re worried about its relatively low smoke point, you can use avocado oil instead.
Kosher salt: If using fine salt, you should reduce the amount you use, or the dish could end up too salty.
Spices: Garlic powder and smoked paprika. Make sure the spices you use are fresh! A stale spice can easily ruin a dish. Speaking from experience…
Salmon fillets: Try to use sustainable salmon if you can. They’re not just a better choice – they are also delicious!
Does paprika go with salmon?
Yes! Smoked paprika might be a bit too strong flavored for delicate white fish, and could overpower them. But it is just perfect for seasoning a bold-flavored fish such as salmon.
I love preparing salmon simply, with butter and sage. But there’s something about the bold flavor of smoked paprika that really enhances this dish rather than overpowering it.
Smoked paprika is one of my favorite spices. It really enhances meats and I use it in many recipes, including cheese-stuffed meatballs and beef kabobs.
How to make smoked paprika roasted salmon
Scroll down to the recipe card for the detailed instructions. But like all baked salmon recipes, this is an easy one. Here are the basic steps:
1. Your first step is to simply brush the fish pieces with a tasty marinade of olive oil, salt, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
2. Then bake them until cooked through. This should take about 15 minutes in a 425F oven. That’s it! I told you this was an easy recipe!
This is an ideal recipe for easy weeknight dinners. You don’t even have to defrost the salmon if it’s still frozen! Although you’ll need to cook it for a bit longer if it’s still frozen (see the recipe card for details).
What side dishes to serve with this recipe?
Anything goes with it, really. It’s truly versatile. But I like to serve this dish with side dishes that I can bake in the same 425°F oven. So I often serve it with any of the following sides:
What about leftovers?
You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in a sealed container, for up to 3 days. Reheat them very gently in the microwave on 50% power. Sometimes I flake them cold and use then as a salad topping the next day for my lunch.
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Smoked Paprika Roasted Salmon
INGREDIENTS
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 4 (6 oz) salmon fillets
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F.
- In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, kosher salt, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
- Place the salmon fillets in a baking dish, skin side down. Brush them on both sides with the olive oil mixture.
- Bake until cooked through, about 25 minutes if cooking from frozen, 15 minutes if cooking fresh fillets.
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Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, Reader's Digest, and Better Homes and Gardens.