|

Baked Asian Salmon in Foil

This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share a commission.

Baked Asian Salmon in Foil is an easy weeknight dinner but is impressive enough for guests on the weekend. The marinade is full of Asian ingredients which is key to this flavorful dish.

Salmon is a go-to here because it’s healthy and cooks so fast! We love grilling, so my Cedar Plank Salmon is a regular. When we make it indoors, I enjoy these Blackened Salmon Burgers with Avocado Crema, Salmon Buddha Bowls, and Brown Sugar Smoked Salmon!

Side shot of two large pieces of baked salmon.

Fish Lovers

We are seafood lovers at our home and try to eat salmon or some other type of fish at least once a week. While we enjoy salmon, we also love eating other types of fish too. Just not the raw stuff!

Save This Recipe Form

Want to save this recipe?

Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get more great recipes and tips from us each week!

If you enjoy tilapia, my Easy Fish Tacos are always a huge hit around here. Oh, that Avocado Crema! We’ve also eaten a ton of shrimp lately, especially my Grilled Shrimp Tacos, and these super easy Honey Sriracha Shrimp Bowls!

Overhead shot of a chunk of baked salmon with marinade.

Ingredients Used

  • Salmon – I prefer to buy wild-caught salmon, but you could also use farm-raised as well. If you can find some with the skin on, it adds moisture and flavor which is a good thing.
  • Low-sodium Soy Sauce – This is the base of the marinade, and using a lower-sodium version just makes sense. It still has SO much flavor.
  • Chili Paste – For some heat, which is balanced out with the brown sugar.
  • Oyster Sauce – Similar to hoisin sauce or fish sauce, this adds authentic flavor to Asian dishes giving them a boost of umami.
  • Brown Sugar – The sugar gives a bit of sweetness and counteracts the spiciness.
  • Lime – You’ll need one large lime, freshly squeezed.
  • Garlic – Three cloves of garlic, minced.
  • Ginger – You’ll need about 1.5 Tablespoons of minced (fresh) ginger, or less.
The raw salmon in foil before baking.

How to make Asian Salmon in Foil

  1. Make marinade. Combine the marinade ingredients in a bowl – the soy sauce, oyster sauce, chili paste, brown sugar, lime juice, garlic, and ginger. Use a whisk to combine well.
  2. Prep pan/foil. Take some foil and form it into a shallow “bowl”. It should be the size of the salmon. Place it on the sheet pan.
  3. Assemble. Place the salmon in the foil “bowl” and then drizzle the marinade over top.
  4. Bake. Bake in a 400-degree preheated oven until the salmon flakes easily with a fork, approximately 18-23 minutes, depending on the thickness of your salmon. Be careful to avoid over-cooking. (See more below.)
  5. Serve. Serve salmon with rice and edamame, or other sides of your choice.
A plate of of salmon, rice and edamame.

When is salmon done?

Salmon is technically done when it registers 145 degrees on a digital thermometer. However, when I cook it that long, it dries out. There is a lot of carry-over cooking with salmon, and I use a fork to see if it’s done. If the salmon flakes easily with a fork, then it’s done.

For this recipe, my digital thermometer registered 125 degrees when I removed it from the oven. I let it rest a while, and it was perfectly cooked. Done in the center and moist, as well!

Which varieties of salmon are available to buy?

There are many types of salmon available to buy in the U.S., including Atlantic, Chinook, Chum, Coho, Pink, and Sockeye Salmon. All but the Atlantic salmon are harvested from wild fisheries in the Pacific Ocean, while the Atlantic salmon is primarily farm-raised.

What is the best type of salmon to eat?

Wild-caught Pacific salmon are typically considered to be the healthiest salmon to eat. Both are fine to eat, but you should understand the differences in how they are raised and decide what is best for you.

According to livestrong.com, wild salmon swim between freshwater and the open ocean, consuming a varied diet of zooplankton and smaller fish. Farmed salmon are raised in pens and fed fishmeal, fish oil, and other protein-rich foods. While both types are rich in omega-3 fatty acids (which are healthy unsaturated fats), farmed varieties typically have larger amounts of unhealthy saturated fats over their counterparts.

We have just recently started to buy Pacific salmon instead of farmed versions, and are surprised to find that they are still very tasty. In fact, we are starting to prefer it.

Overhead shot of two large pieces of baked salmon in foil.

Side Dishes to Pair with Salmon

A plate of baked Asian salmon with a fork.

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

xoxo ~Sue

Overhead shot of a chunk of baked salmon with marinade.

Baked Asian Salmon in Foil

Baked Asian Salmon in Foil is an easy weeknight dinner, but is impressive enough for guests on the weekend. The marinade is full of Asian ingredients which is key to this flavorful dish.
5 from 10 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American, Chinese
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 33 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 306kcal
Author: Sue Ringsdorf

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pounds salmon – skin on preferred
  • cup lower-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon chili paste – or chili sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 3 Tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 large lime – freshly squeezed
  • 3 cloves garlic – minced
  • 1 ½ Tablespoons fresh ginger – minced
  • salt and pepper – to taste
  • rice, shelled edamame, cilantro – to serve

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Prepare a baking sheet by laying a large piece of foil on it. Curl up the edges to make a mini-pan for the salmon plus marinade.
  • Place salmon on foil, skin side down. Season lightly with salt and pepper (optional).
  • Mix the marinade by whisking the soy sauce, chili paste, oyster sauce, brown sugar, fresh lime juice, garlic, and ginger. Pour over the salmon, making sure the marinade stays in the foil.
  • Bake for 18-23 minutes, depending on the the thickness of the salmon. Baking time can vary.
  • Remove pan from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes. Salmon should flake easily with a fork, but be careful to not over-cook.
  • Serve with brown rice, cooked edamame, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro.

Notes

Salmon is technically done when it registers 145 degrees on a digital thermometer. However, when I cook it that long, it’s dried out. There is a lot of carry-over cooking with salmon, and I use a fork to see if it’s done. If the salmon flakes easily with a fork, then it’s done.
For this recipe, my digital thermometer registered 125 degrees when I removed it from the oven. I let it rest awhile, and it was perfectly cooked. Done in the center and moist, as well!
 

Nutrition

Calories: 306kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 1282mg | Potassium: 941mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 85IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @Suebeehomemaker or tag #suebeehomemaker!

14 Comments

  1. This was a very elevated dish with excellent flavor. The sauce has a lot of depth and too much will overtake the fish but as long as you dont go too heavy it is perfect with salmon. I say this because it is so delicious I added more sauce to my fish after I finished about 1/2 of it and went a little too heavy. This will absolutely be on the list to make again. Thank you for the very good recipe.

  2. Chet Kastava says:

    Your recipe is great and my finished product looked a lot like your picture. Not to mention, I had a great salmon steak from the local Fresh Market. My side was Jasmine Rice. I can’t wait to have it again. Easy to make and cleanup was a piece of cake. Thanks.

    1. Suebee Homemaker says:

      I’m so glad you enjoyed the salmon, Chet! Thanks for your feedback! 🙂

  3. Robert Reding says:

    This is very easy to make and very popular in our house. This will definitely be a regular item on the dinner menu.

  4. Robert Reding says:

    We have made this recipe a few times, and will make it many more. It is very easy and very popular in our house.

    1. Suebee Homemaker says:

      I’m so glad you like it, Robbie! Thanks for your review. 🙂

  5. This is a new favorite in our house too, so delicious and easy to make.

    1. Suebee Homemaker says:

      This is on a regular rotation here. My guys love salmon prepared this way!

  6. Jackie Thill says:

    Craig loves this recipe and so do I. He shared it with co-workers after bragging about it and asking me to share the link. Needless to say, it’s a new favorite. SO GOOD!

  7. Sue, my family loved this recipe. Happy to add it to my dinner rotation and super glad you shared it!

    1. Suebee Homemaker says:

      Thanks Lauri!! I’m so glad you all enjoyed it. 🙂

  8. I am all in with this recipe. ❤️

    1. Suebee Homemaker says:

      I know you are. That’s why I make it so often! 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating