This Lemon Pepper Salmon is a great, easy, dinner idea. It comes together very quickly and requires minimal ingredients but does not skimp on flavor.

The lemon pepper crust makes each bite of salmon burst with lemony flavor and the sharpness of pepper to balance. Serve with rice and your favorite greens, like roasted broccoli or green beans.

Lemon Pepper Salmon filets on baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.

I absolutely love cooking this salmon and enjoying it as is for dinner or even slicing it in to small pieces and serving on top of this salad recipe or on top of this cream cheese pasta.

Salmon is so versatile. I’ve used it in many ways, and some of my favorite ways are in a salmon slider recipe and even chopping up salmon and making a fried salmon patty. But this lemon pepper salmon is definitely a go-to, easy dinner the whole family loves.

Ingredients Needed

Here’s what you’ll need to make lemon pepper salmon. I’ve provided key notes about some of the ingredients below but make sure to also see the full recipe card with ingredient amounts and instructions.

Ingredients for lemon pepper salmon recipe, sitting on counter.

Ingredient Notes:

Pepper: If you want to use the lemon pepper premade seasoning, to save time, I suppose it would work too. But do not skimp on the lemon juice or lemon zest. It makes a big difference.
Parsley: Fresh is recommended but if dried is all you have, that works in a pinch!

How to Make Lemon Pepper Salmon

Trust me when I say this is one of the easiest dinner recipes you can make! Simply place the salmon filets in a baking dish, mix up a lemon seasoning mixture, brush on the fish, and bake!

Lemon juice, zest, pepper, salt, garlic powder, and oil in small clear bowl.

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, black pepper, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt to create the lemon pepper crust.

Uncooked salmon filets on baking sheet that's lined with aluminum foil.

Place the salmon filets on a foiled-lined baking sheet. Pat them dry with paper towels. Create a foil ridge around the salmon with the foil, like a pizza crust.

Lemon peppers salmon filets on baking sheet that's lined with foil.

Brush the Lemon Pepper mixture over the top of each salmon filet, ensuring an even coating.
Bake the salmon in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the salmon is cooked through and easily flakes with a fork.

Baked lemon pepper salmon on baking sheet lined with foil.

Take the salmon out of the oven and let it rest for a couple of minutes.
Garnish with lemon slices and fresh parsley. Serve and enjoy.

Top Tips to Make This Recipe a Success

Aluminum Foil: Cook the salmon in aluminum foil allows the salmon to retain the juices but also makes the skin crispy.
How to Know if Salmon is Done: A great way to test the doneness of the salmon is to take it out of the oven, using a fork, and peel away at the sides of the salmon. If it is flaky and comes apart easily, then it is done cooking. If it is a little bit firm and does not flake, then it needs a couple more minutes.
Extra Flavor: Sprinkle it with fresh lemon juice, just before serving and eating. It adds a little bit more freshness to the dish.