This easy baked salmon in a bag is bursting with flavor and moisture, you wouldn't believe how easy it is and that it takes just 25 minutes. It's cooked in parchment paper to maintain moisture without any effort or clean up.
[This salmon in a bag recipe was originally posted in November 2018. It has been updated with new photos (2020), cooking instructions, expert tips, FAQ, related recipes, video and ways to repurpose/use up ingredients]
Table of contents
This baked salmon in a 'bag' is cooked in parchment paper that turns into a bag to keep all the moisture inside. You can use an oven bag, but parchment paper is probably in more kitchens and easy to use.
This baked salmon in a bag requires just a few easy slices of vegetables and a couple ingredients that can be assembled directly in the bag.
It's assembled in just 5-10 minutes, and requires nearly no clean-up. it's perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scroll down to the baked salmon in a bag recipe card for the amounts of each ingredient, but here's a quick visual + description of what's in this recipe.
- Salmon
- Potato
- Seasonal vegetables
- Lemon
- Olive oil
- Red wine vinegar
- Italian seasonings
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
1. Thinly slice a russet potato, vegetables, and ½ lemon. Set aside. Slice them thinly so they cook quickly.
2. Set one long piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet.
3. Place thinly sliced potatoes on parchment paper (and flat vegetables if any), then place salmon fillet on top of potatoes, skin side down. Top with other vegetables, if any.
4. Drizzle olive oil, red wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of each salt & pepper over salmon. Place lemon slices from lemon on top of salmon.
5. To close packet, fold parchment paper over salmon and vegetables, then tuck one corner under itself, continue to fold paper at an angle so it's tightly secured. Tuck final piece of paper under whole packet so it's secure.
6. Place in oven, and cook for 15-18 minutes, or until vegetables are fork tender, or cut easily with your fork. Salmon will be done cooking by this point. Serve your baked salmon in a 'bag' and enjoy.
Storage/Reheating Tips
Store leftover baked salmon in a bag (and vegetables) in an airtight container for about a week. Reheat in the microwave.
Substitutions/Tips
- Thinly sliced potatoes will cook fastest.
- Swap salmon for any other similarly thick fish fillet.
- Swap russet potatoes for yukon gold, fingerling, or red potatoes.
- Use seasonal vegetables like zucchini, asparagus, onions, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, etc
- Swap red wine vinegar for white wine, chicken broth, or white wine vinegar.
- Other great add-ins: add extra potatoes/vegetables, place a pat of butter on top of salmon, parmesan cheese.
FAQ
You can cook salmon in a sealed OVEN SAFE bag or in parchment paper by adding salmon, vegetables, a bit of liquid, and any other seasonings to your bag/parchment paper. Seal it off and bake on a baking sheet.
This salmon in a bag recipe is a good example of how to bake it.
Bake vegetables with your baked salmon to make for a quick and easy dinner + clean up. Any vegetable is great with baked salmon. serve baked salmon with pasta, potatoes or over greens for a salad.
If you've eaten salmon, you've probably seen that sliver of grey salmon between the pink meat and the skin. This grey meat may have more intense flavor than other parts, but is safe and ok to eat.
Other good one pan recipes
- Skillet Pork Chops with Apples
- Lemon Carbonara
- Veggie Quesadilla
- Roasted Winter Veggies (you can add a sausage link to roast with the veggies)
- Chicken Bacon sheet Pan Dinner
- Sheet Pan Maple Mustard Salmon
- Cajun Shrimp & Veggie Foil Packets
- Air Fryer Frozen Salmon (with frozen broccoli and potatoes)
How can I repurpose this baked salmon?
- Serve it over pasta
- Serve it with mashed potatoes
- Shred salmon and add to a salad
What can I make with leftover ingredients?
Did you make this baked salmon in a bag? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!
Easy Baked Salmon in a Bag for One
Equipment
- knife
- cutting board
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Parchment Paper
- baking sheet
Ingredients
- 4 ounce wild salmon fillet thawed
- ½ whole potato yukon gold or russet
- 1 cup chopped seasonal vegetables zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, cabbage, etc
- ½ lemon
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or white wine
- ½ tablespoon Italian seasonings
- salt, pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Thinly slice ½ russet potato, 1 cup vegetables, and ½ lemon. Set aside.
- Set one long piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet.
- Place slices of ½ potato on parchment paper (and flat vegetables if any), then place 4 ounces salmon filet on top of potatoes, skin side down. Top with other vegetables, if any.
- Drizzle 1 Tablespoon olive oil, 1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar*, ½ Tablespoon Italian seasoning, and a pinch of each salt & pepper over salmon. Place lemon slices from ½ lemon on top of salmon.
- To close packet, fold parchment paper over salmon and vegetables, then tuck one corner under itself, continue to fold paper at an angle so it's tightly secured. Tuck final piece of paper under whole packet so it's secure. You're essentially folding each side onto the last side you folded. That ensures it's all closed up. Refer to photo of enclosed packet for how it's supposed to look before it goes in the oven.
- Place in oven, and cook for 15-18 minutes, or until vegetables are fork tender, or cut easily with your fork. Salmon will be done cooking by this point. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Thinly sliced potatoes will cook fastest.
- Swap russet potatoes for yukon gold, fingerling, or red potatoes.
- Use seasonal vegetables like zucchini, asparagus, onions, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, etc
- Swap red wine vinegar for white wine, chicken broth, or white wine vinegar.
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Bibi Murdock says
Thank You For This Post, was added to my bookmarks.
Scarlet says
I have heard that works really well to bake salmon in a bag because it keeps it so moist and flavorful. I need to try it.
Rebecca says
exactly! you totally do, it's so good & easy
Suzy says
The perfect way to make salmon! comes out so moist and tender! Love it!
Rebecca says
totally agree! thanks
Beth says
I loved making salmon like this! No cleanup, and the salmon stays so moist and juicy! Thanks for the inspiration!
Rebecca says
isn't the no cleanup part the best?! yum
ali randall says
This is one of my favorite ways to make salmon and I always stick to this recipe because it works. The salmon always tastes delicious!
Rebecca says
it's soo easy! thanks
Jenn says
What a delicious recipe! I tried it and adapted it without the potato, to make it keto. Thanks for the step-by-step instructions. I felt like a pro!
Rebecca says
awesome to hear! thanks
Tammy says
This is one of my favorite ways to cook fish. It's super easy..looks delicious! Love your photos 🙂
Rebecca says
same! it's so good & easy. and thanks!
Kristen says
I am always looking for easy salmon recipes! Looks delicious!
Rebecca says
yes! this is so easy & delicious! hope you like it 🙂
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says
i love this technique. I don't cook fish at home nearly enough. And omg, about the blurry video! That has happened to me too! it is so frustrating!
Rebecca says
Same here, all around! and yes, I'm afraid to watch the one I just shot-eek
Farrah says
Yay!! Salmon is one of my favorite proteins ever! This looks delicious! <3 I need to try using parchment paper!
Rebecca says
yes! try it! It's so easy 🙂