Sockeye Salmon Recipe

This sockeye salmon recipe is a delicious and healthy meal!  This salmon is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal.  It bakes for only 15 minutes.  This sockeye salmon comes out hearty, tender, and juicy.  The recipe is simple to follow and yields perfectly cooked salmon that is moist and flavorful. Great for weeknight family meals, special holidays, celebrations, and more!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• This sockeye salmon recipe is quick and easy to make.
• Only 15 minutes of baking time needed.
• Sockeye salmon is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health.
• This recipe is perfect for a weeknight meal. Try this healthy Halibut recipe too.
• It tastes like restaurant quality!
• The salmon is cooked to perfection.  It is moist and flaky on the inside and slightly crispy on the outside.
• The simple seasonings of olive oil, lemon, and garlic bring out the natural flavor of the salmon.
• This recipe is versatile. It can be served with a variety of sides, such as roasted vegetables, rice, or pasta.
• This recipe is naturally Whole30 compliant, Paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, and sugar-free.  In addition, this salmon is Keto and low carb.
• Check out this Candied Salmon or this Yellowfin Tuna for another delicious dinner recipe!

What is Sockeye Salmon?

Sockeye salmon is a species of salmon that is native to the North Pacific Ocean.

It is known for its bright red flesh, which comes from its diet of plankton and crustaceans.

Sockeye salmon is a popular choice for seafood lovers because it is both delicious and healthy.

Here are some of the things that make sockeye salmon special:

• Flavor: Sockeye salmon have a more intense flavor than other salmon species. This is due to their diet, which consists of small fish, plankton, and crustaceans. The high fat content of sockeye salmon also contributes to their flavor.
• Color: Sockeye salmon have a bright-orange flesh that is due to the carotenoid pigments found in their diet. These pigments are also responsible for the red color of tomatoes, carrots, and other fruits and vegetables.
• Texture: Sockeye salmon has a firm texture that makes it ideal for grilling, baking, and smoking. It is also a good choice for canning.
• Nutrition: Sockeye salmon is a good source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin D, and Vitamin A.
• Sustainability: Sockeye salmon is a sustainable fish species. They are managed by strict fishing regulations in Alaska, where most of the world’s sockeye salmon are caught.

Ingredients & Substitutions

These are the main ingredients and substitutions for this homemade sockeye salmon recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card for full ingredients list and instructions.

Use the freshest salmon possible. Wild caught Alaskan salmon has superior taste. Feel free to use one large fillet or smaller fillets.

Olive oil helps marinate and tenderize the fish. If needed, use avocado oil.

Fresh lemon juice adds acidity and tartness to the salmon.

Minced garlic adds the classic garlicky flavor.

Use dried or fresh dill. This adds an earthy flavor to the salmon.

Both sea salt and pepper add a subtle flavor.

Garnish with lemon slices and fresh dill if desired.

Taste & Texture

This sockeye salmon recipe has a rich, slightly smoky flavor. The flesh is firm and flaky, and it melts in your mouth.

Sockeye salmon is a versatile fish that can be cooked in a variety of ways. These ways include baking, grilling, poaching, and pan-frying.

How to Make

Step 1

First, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2

In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dill, salt, and pepper to create a marinade.

Step 3

Place the sockeye salmon in a baking dish. Pour the marinade over it and coat evenly. Let the salmon marinate in the fridge for 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 4

While the salmon is marinating, line a rimmed baking pan or baking dish with parchment paper. Or, lightly spray with nonstick spray.

Step 5

After marinating, take the salmon out of the marinade. Place it in the prepared baking dish.

Step 6

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillet. The salmon should be cooked through and flake easily with a fork.

Step 7

Once the salmon is done baking, remove it from the oven. Let it rest for one minute.

Step 8

Finally, garnish this sockeye salmon recipe with lemon slices and fresh herbs if desired.

Expert Tips & Tricks

Use fresh salmon if possible.  Wild caught from Alaska is best for this sockeye salmon recipe.

To ensure that your sockeye salmon is cooked to perfection, use a meat thermometer.  Check that the internal temperature has reached 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

Do not skimp on the seasonings.  Salt and pepper make a big difference.

If you are grilling your sockeye salmon, be sure to preheat your grill to medium-high heat.  Cook the salmon for about 6 to 8 minutes per side, or until cooked through.

Sockeye salmon is also delicious poached or pan-fried. To poach your sockeye salmon, bring a pot of water to a simmer and add a tablespoon of salt. Place the salmon in the pot and poach for about 6-8 minutes, or until it is cooked through.

To pan-fry your sockeye salmon, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the salmon to the pan. Cook for about 4 to 6 minutes per side, or until cooked through.

How to Serve & Store

This sockeye salmon recipe is delicious served hot or cold.

It can be served with a variety of sides, such as roasted vegetables, rice, or pasta. Sockeye salmon can also be used in salads, wraps, or sandwiches.

To store sockeye salmon, place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

You can also freeze sockeye salmon for up to 3 months.

Difference Between Sockeye Salmon and Atlantic Salmon

Sockeye salmon and Atlantic salmon are two of the most popular types of salmon. They are both delicious and healthy, but they have some key differences.

Sockeye salmon is a smaller fish than Atlantic salmon.  It has a bright red flesh, while Atlantic salmon has a lighter pink flesh.  Sockeye salmon is also higher in omega-3 fatty acids than Atlantic salmon. For another salmon recipe, make this Cast Iron Salmon!

Sockeye salmon is typically more expensive than Atlantic salmon.  However, it is worth the price for its superior flavor and nutritional value. This sockeye salmon recipe is incredibly flavorful!

Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between sockeye salmon and Atlantic salmon:

Characteristic	Sockeye Salmon	Atlantic Salmon
Size	Smaller	Larger
Flesh Color	Bright Red	Light Pink
Omega-3 Content	Higher	Lower
Price	More Expensive	Less Expensive

Frequently Asked Questions

Equipment Needed

Staub Baking Dishes: I love these baking dishes for making this sockeye salmon recipe.

Check out all of my kitchen favorites!

You May Also Like

• Baked Halibut Recipe
• Fried Lobster Tails
• Swordfish Recipe
• Cod Fish Recipe
• Blackened Mahi Mahi

If you make this sockeye salmon recipe, I would really appreciate a review! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Join my exclusive Facebook Group for a behind the scenes look. I would love for you to follow along!  For more ideas, see these Lunch and Dinner Recipes.

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