Oven Roasted Salmon with Wasabi Mayonnaise

This oven roasted salmon results in buttery, flaky fish that’s table ready in less than 30 minutes. It is hands down my family’s favorite keto salmon recipe. So nutritious and satisfying.

I am delighted to re-introduce you to one of my all time favorite easy keto meals. We make this roasted salmon recipe at least twice a month, and it’s a healthy dinner I can guarantee my whole family will eat willingly.

This little gem of a recipe has been hiding in my recipe archives for a very long time, not really getting the attention it deserves. I figured it was time to dust it off again and bring it back to the forefront.

And it’s actually a prize-winning recipe! It won second prize and $200 in a Taste of Home recipe contest.

Pair it with any one of these cauliflower rice recipes for a delicious and nutritious meal.

Roasting salmon in the oven

Everything I know about roasted salmon I learned from Mark Bittman’s book, How to Cook Everything. You know I believe in giving credit where it’s due! It’s not a keto cookbook, by any means, but it is a great reference book.

Over the years, I modified his recipe in a number of ways, simplifying the process and roasting at a slightly lower temperature. Then I decided to add some sesame oil, sesame seeds, and some wasabi mayo – and it became an instant hit.

Baking and roasting are very closely related concepts, and they both use dry oven heat. But roasting typically refers to cooking over 400F, whereas baking temps are usually 375F and below. However, most people use these terms interchangeably.

Using high heat for this oven roasted salmon cooks it quickly and evenly, while keeping it moist and flaky.

What you need for this keto salmon recipe

This is an incredibly simple recipe with readily available ingredients. You can play with the flavor profile and add your favorite toppings.

• Salmon: It’s worth purchasing good wild-caught salmon for this recipe as it results in a buttery texture. It also has the best nutritional profile. You can use frozen salmon but be sure to thaw it completely and pat it dry before roasting.
• Butter: This is the magic sauce, in my opinion. The butter melts in the pan as the oven preheats, and it becomes slightly nutty and caramelized during the cooking process.
• Garlic powder: A light sprinkle of garlic brings out the best flavor.
• Salt: Add just a little sprinkle of salt before roasting, and season to taste after it’s done.

You could stop here and simply drizzle the melted butter over the fish before serving, and it would be fabulous. But my sushi inspired version is over the top delicious!

• Wasabi: You can purchase this as a ready made paste, or you can purchase wasabi powder that you mix with water to create a paste. I prefer the powder as it goes a lot further than pre-made pastes and has more heat.
• Mayonnaise: Mayo provides a great base for mixing in the wasabi, and it helps mellow it out as well. You don’t want it to completely overpower the flavor of the salmon!
• Sesame oil: Brush the salmon with some toasted sesame oil after cooking for extra flavor.
• Sesame seeds and green onion: These garnishes add both flavor and elegance to the final dish.

Tips for oven roasted salmon

Salmon is remarkably easy to cook, but it’s also easy to overcook if you’re not careful. Here are my best tips to getting it right:

1. Pat the salmon dry. The residual moisture from the packaging can pool around the fish during cooking and doesn’t look as all that appetizing.
2. Melt the butter as the oven preheats. This saves time and energy, and simplifies the whole process.
3. Season just before cooking. Salt draws out moisture and we don’t want any dry fish. So sprinkle it on just before the salmon goes into the oven.
4. Watch your timing. Salmon portions vary quite a bit in thickness and this affects cooking time. For thinner filets of an inch or less, check them at the early end of the cooking range. For thick filets, you may need the whole 13 minutes.
5. Flake the fish. The best way to tell if salmon is done is to flake it with a thin-bladed knife. The fish should be opaque and the the flakes should separate easily. Check the thickest portion of the filet for doneness.
6. Remove immediately. Once you see that perfect flakiness, get it out of the oven right away and brush it with the sesame oil.
7. Serve. Oven roasted salmon should be served right away. Top each portion with some wasabi mayonnaise, a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, and some sliced green onion.

Frequently Asked Question

More delicious salmon recipes

• Garlic Butter Salmon
• Keto Smoked Salmon Chowder
• Pecan Crusted Salmon
• Salmon Avocado Salad
• Easy Grilled Salmon
• Salmon Patties

Oven Roasted Salmon Recipe

This oven roasted salmon results in buttery, flaky fish that's table ready in less than 30 minutes. It is hands down my family's favorite keto salmon recipe. So nutritious and satisfying.

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Main Course

Keyword: keto salmon, oven roasted salmon

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 22 minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 462kcal

Ingredients

Wasabi Mayonnaise

• 2 to 3 teaspoon wasabi powder (depending on how hot you like it)
• 1 to 2 teaspoon hot water
• ⅓ cup mayonnaise

Baked Salmon

• 3 tablespoon butter (or untoasted sesame oil)
• 2 pounds salmon fillets (whole or cut into portions)
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt to taste
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 2 tablespoon sesame seeds toasted
• 2 medium green onions white and light green parts only, chopped

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Wasabi Mayonnaise

• Whisk the wasabi powder and the water together to form a paste. Let sit 5 minutes to develop the flavors
• Whisk together the mayonnaise and wasabi paste.

Baked Salmon

• Preheat the oven to 425F. Place the butter in a large glass or ceramic baking dish and set in the oven to melt.
• Once the oven is preheated and the butter is melted, place the salmon, skin-side down in the pan. Spoon some of the melted butter overtop and sprinkle with the garlic powder and the salt. Place the pan back in the oven.
• Bake 9 to 13 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish. The salmon should be opaque and flake easily when done. Be sure to watch carefully to avoid over-cooking.
• Remove from the oven and brush the the toasted sesame oil. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds.
• Serve with wasabi mayo and green onions overtop each serving.

Nutrition Facts

Oven Roasted Salmon Recipe

Amount Per Serving (1 piece (about 5 ounces of fish))

Calories 462 Calories from Fat 270

% Daily Value*

Fat 30g46%

Carbohydrates 1.3g0%

Fiber 0.5g2%

Protein 31.3g63%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.