Herb crusted broiled salmon is browned and slightly crispy on the outside, but so tender on the inside! Cooking your salmon at a high heat ensures that it loses minimal moisture while cooking through.
When it comes to cooking salmon, there as many ways to do it as there are flavors. From the air fryer to a sheet pan to the grill, I've learned one secret to avoiding dry salmon is to use high heat.
This herb crusted broiled salmon uses high heat to brown the exterior, giving it a delicious and slightly crispy layer of flavor. Since it has a fast cook time, the inside of the salmon doesn't have time to lose moisture and dry out, resulting in perfectly tender and flaky salmon.
Serve this salmon with kale caesar salad and a batch of turmeric rice (or turmeric cauliflower rice!) for a delicious, healthy meal.
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Reasons you'll ♡ broiled salmon
- the outside of the salmon gets brown and slightly crispy, while the center is tender and flaky (never dry!)
- it's simple to prepare: no marinating or sauces required, and you can have it on your table in under 15 minutes
- it's gluten-free, low carb, paleo and absolutely delicious
Recipe video
Watch the video below to see exactly how I prepped this herb crusted broiled salmon. It’s so easy! You can find more of my recipe videos on my YouTube channel, or on Facebook.
Ingredient notes
- salmon- this recipe works best with thicker mid-sections of the salmon; thin tail portions are prone to overcooking and are better cooked in a frying pan (see how to cook salmon). When prepping salmon for broiling, cut them into as equal-sized portions as possible. We enjoy a 5-6 oz portion, and use a kitchen scale to ensure they are within 1 oz from each other.
- oil- extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil are good bets for this recipe as they have a higher smoke point
Step by step directions
1. Adjust top rack- Position the top rack 4-6 inches from the top element of the oven.
2. Spice rub- In a small bowl, stir together the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, basil and oregano.
3. Prepare salmon- Brush a sturdy baking sheet with oil, then arrange the salmon, 1-2 inches apart. Brush salmon with olive oil, then sprinkle with seasoning blend. Use a spoon or your fingers to press the spice rub into the salmon firmly.
4. Broil- Pre-heat the broiler for 5 minutes, then place the pan into the oven. Broil for 9-12 minutes, until fish flakes easily with a fork, or until it reaches 125- 140 °F (See below for more information).
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TIP- Just like cooking steak, you can cook your salmon to different doneness: (read more about it here):
- 110-125°F- medium- rare
- 125-140°F- medium- well * I recommend cooking to 125°F
- 140+ – well done
Recipe tips
Use a sheet pan
For broiled salmon, you want to avoid using a baking dish- particularly glass baking dishes. Glass can shatter at high temperatures, so using a glass baking dish to broil salmon is very risky.
The other reason that a sheet pan is preferable to a baking dish is that the low sides allow for better air circulation, allowing each salmon fillet to cook through more evenly.
Brush with oil
Salmon is a fatty fish that is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids (1), and that might make you think you can skip brushing with oil. I strongly recommend you don't skip brushing with oil for two reasons:
- the oil helps the dry rub stick to the fish
- the oil helps the surface of the salmon (and the spices) crisp up under the broiler
Not only do I recommend brushing the salmon with oil, but also the sheet pan where you will place the salmon; this helps prevent the salmon from sticking.
Skin-on or skinless
Salmon can come with the skin on or the skin off; regardless of how your salmon comes, broiling is a great option to cook it! If your salmon comes with the skin on, place it skin side down on the sheet pan when broiling.
Let your broiler pre-heat
Before starting your broiler, make sure the top rack in your oven is positioned 4-6 inches below the broiler.
Pre-heat your oven for at least 5 minutes to give it time to get to 500°F or above. You want high heat from the start for success with this recipe.
Note- If you are from outside of North America, you might call your oven's broiler a 'grill'.
Variations
- Moroccan- rub this homemade Moroccan spice blend onto the salmon
- Lemon pepper- use this lemon herb seasoning blend
- Jerk- use this Jamaican jerk seasoning
- Marinate- use on of these 7 chicken marinades- reduce marinating time to max 2 hours and discard extra marinade before broiling
Storage + meal prep
Believe it or not, salmon can keep for up to 4 days for meal prep (though you might not be your co-worker's favorite person 😉 )
- fridge- cool completely, then store in an air tight container for up to 4 days. Salmon tastes best if eaten within 48 hours.
- reheat- in a covered dish in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, until warmed through
Meal prep
You could turn this broiled salmon in to a meal prep bowl by portioning out with rice and steamed vegetables.
- store in the fridge for up to 4 days
- heat in the microwave until steaming hot
- do not reheat more than once
More salmon recipes
Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!
Herb Crusted Broiled Salmon (BEST texture!)
Ingredients
- 4 5-6 oz salmon fillets 1 ½ inches thick; see note 1
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 lemon sliced
Herb rub
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions
- Adjust top rack- Position the top rack 4-6 inches from the top element of the oven.
- Spice rub- In a small bowl, stir together the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, basil and oregano.
- Prepare salmon- Brush a sturdy baking sheet with oil, then arrange the salmon, 1-2 inches apart. Brush salmon with olive oil, then sprinkle with seasoning blend. Use a spoon or your fingers to press the spice rub into the salmon firmly.
- Broil- Pre-heat the broiler for 5 minutes, then place the pan into the oven. Broil for 9-12 minutes, until fish flakes easily with a fork, or until it reaches 125- 140 °F (See note 2).
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Tips:
- 110-125°F- medium- rare
- 125-140°F- medium- well * I recommend cooking to 125°F
- 140+ – well done
Video
Nutrition Information
© Sweet Peas & Saffron - Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
Chef-Robb says
Like another person commented, I usually bake my salmon (with butter only); however, I am going to try your broiling method with the spices & herbs as it sounds very good. I also want to thank you for your sweet potato in the slow cooker recipe and all your other videos. I appreciate them all.
Denise says
Hi Chef Robb! I hope you enjoy this method, and I'm glad you enjoyed the slow cooker sweet potatoes.
Maria says
Hi, my oven has high or low broil setting, which do you recommend?
Denise says
Go for high! Hope you enjoy!
Bill says
This is so simple and so flavorful! I will be broiling my salmon this way from now on!
Denise says
So happy you enjoyed! Thanks so much for taking the time out of your day to leave a review 🙂
May N Mikhail says
I have one big fillet with skin on weighing 2.6 pounds I want to broil whole. Is that OK
Denise says
Hi May, I just answered your email, but I'm not sure on the timing for a whole fillet. I'm sure it would work, but it might not cook evenly (I always find the tail overcooks). HOpe you enjoy!
Terry says
Best salmon recipe. Quick and easy. Delicious! I will be making this again.
Denise says
So happy you enjoyed, Terry! Thank you so much for your review!
Jennifer Quigly says
THIS RECIPE HELPED ME LOSE 200 POUNDS! I ATE SALMON AND MANGOS WITH A PROBIOTIC DRINK EVERYDAY! HMU IF YOU WANT MORE INFO!
Denise says
I'm so happy to hear that!
Danielle says
This looks good! Could this rub be used on cod? Thanks
Denise says
Hi Danielle! I actually don't have a lot of experience with cod but I believe the rub would work well on it. Let me know how it goes if you give it a try 🙂
Denise says
Thanks so much, Simone!
Julia at Home on 129 Acres says
We love salmon, and this looks like a great recipe. Thanks for sharing! We always make a lemon rice every time we have salmon. I think the rice is my husband's favourite part. I'm looking forward to seeing your take on it.
Denise says
Hi Julia! I am excited to share the recipe 🙂
Brittany Audra @ Audra's Appetite says
I've been wanting to recreate a homemade version of salmon that actually has a crispy skin like in restaurants. I often bake salmon too...but I'm definitely trying broiled next time! 🙂
Denise says
I hope you like it! I love how juicy the inside stays 🙂