Chef John's Baked Lemon Pepper Salmon

Name: Chef John's Baked Lemon Pepper Salmon
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 2 fillets
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 1 tablespoon ground black pepper; 1 ½ tablespoons mayonnaise; 1 tablespoon yellow miso paste; 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard; 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste; 2 (8 ounce) center-cut salmon fillets, boned, skin on; sea salt to taste

Rating: 4.38 stars

98 Ratings
75 Reviews
14 Photos

You don't need the broiler to make great salmon fillets. A hot oven can produce tender, moist, flaky meat every time. This recipe uses lots of lemon juice and black pepper.

By Chef John

Gallery

Watch

Recipe Summary

prep:

10 mins

cook:

15 mins

additional:

30 mins

total:

55 mins

Servings:

Yield:

2 fillets

Nutrition Info

Ingredients

Original recipe yields 2 servings

The ingredient list now reflects the servings specified

2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 ½ tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon yellow miso paste
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
2 (8 ounce) center-cut salmon fillets, boned, skin on
sea salt to taste

Directions

Step 1

Whisk together lemon juice and black pepper in small bowl. Add mayonnaise, miso paste, Dijon mustard, and cayenne pepper to lemon-pepper mixture; whisk together.

Advertisement
Step 2

Spread the lemon-pepper mixture over salmon fillets. Reserve about a tablespoon for later use.
Step 3

Cover salmon with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Step 4

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
Step 5

Place fillets on the prepared baking sheet. Spread remaining lemon-pepper mixture on fillets without letting it pool around base. Sprinkle with a pinch more black pepper and a generous amount of sea salt.
Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven until the fish flakes easily with a fork, 10 to 15 minutes.

Cook's Note:

Next time I'll add some hoisin sauce or something sweet to balance the flavors better.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:

488 calories; protein 49.5g; carbohydrates 7.1g; fat 28.1g; cholesterol 156.6mg; sodium 784.3mg. Full Nutrition

Reviews (75)

Most helpful positive review

mbrannon47

03/19/2013

This is, by far, my favorite salmon recipe. I've tried several pesto recipes, citrus combinations, reductions....none come close to this. The amount of black pepper the recipe calls for seems insane but actually ends up PERFECT. Didn't have miso paste so made it without. I've prepared this meal three times already and plan on making it for company soon. A++ Read More

Helpful

(76)

Most helpful critical review

saradeewhite

02/27/2014

Way too much pepper and it tasted so fishy. I had to scrape off all the topping and call my mother inlaw to find out how to fix it. Luckily I was able to save it. I would have had to throw it away if not. I would not recommend this recipe. Especially if its a first time cookin Fish. Read More

Helpful

(11)

98 Ratings

5 star values: 63
4 star values: 19
3 star values: 9
2 star values: 4
1 star values: 3

Reviews: Most Helpful

Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest

mbrannon47

03/19/2013

Helpful

(76)

Sandie

04/11/2013

This recipe is easy to follow and the taste is amazing! I skipped the miso paste as we don't have this in the kitchen. As for the baking time, my salmon fillet was ready in 8 minutes and the insides were so juicy and delicious. For beginners, this is definitely one great recipe to follow! Read More

Helpful

(53)

Deedubb

06/22/2013

I made this recipe last night!! It was outstanding! I will be making this in the future. I did not use the yellow miso paste though. Excellent Salmon Read More

Helpful

(26)

Esmee Williams

01/13/2014

My husband is an avid salmon fisherman -- so we are lucky to be able to eat salmon frequently in my house. I have tried many different ways to cook up salmon -- and I can honestly say this is no one of my family's absolute favorites. The flavor was incredible. I strongly recommend this recipe -- quick easy delicious...and oh yeah...probably pretty good for you too. Thanks Chef John! Read More

Helpful

(16)

mtber

05/28/2014

Take the suggestion in the video to add sweetness. I added a tablespoon of local honey and it was wonderful. Also don't back off the black pepper or cayenne. The combination of sweet and hot with the fish is perfect. Read More

Helpful

(16)

Connie

08/14/2013

We have made this twice already once with Wild caught and once with farmed. I did not purchase the miso paste and didn't add quite as much ground pepper but I love this sauce. If I can find a way to make it a little thicker I am going to double the sauce. We love this! Read More

Helpful

(13)

GourmetGale

03/29/2015

I will never cook Salmon on a grill or under a broiler again! PURE PEFECTION! Tasty, perfectly cooked - moist and not dry. Couldn't locate the yellow miso paste, so substituted it with soy sauce (as recommended by another reviewer). My dinner guests are still raving about it. Teamed it with CJ's Roasted Brussels Sprouts. Awesome combination. Read More

Helpful

(12)

saradeewhite

02/26/2014

Helpful

(11)

SunnyDaysNora

Allstar

08/16/2013

This was a nice recipe the sauce turned out well. Local grocery store doesn't carry miso added a little soy sauce. Read More

Helpful

(9)

More Reviews

Back to Chef John's Baked Lemon Pepper Salmon

All Reviews for Chef John's Baked Lemon Pepper Salmon

- of Reviews

Chef John's Baked Lemon Pepper Salmon

Servings Per Recipe: 2
Calories: 488.1

% Daily Value *

protein: 99 %

carbohydrates: 2 %

dietary fiber: 6 %

sugars:

fat: 43 %

saturated fat: 24 %

cholesterol: 52 %

vitamin a iu: 9 %

niacin equivalents: 162 %

vitamin b6: 30 %

vitamin c: 13 %

folate: 3 %

calcium: 3 %

iron: 22 %

magnesium: 24 %

potassium: 21 %

sodium: 31 %

thiamin: 39 %

calories from fat:

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.