Easy & Delicious Toaster Oven Salmon Recipe: Quick, Flaky & Healthy!

This simple toaster oven salmon recipe delivers incredibly tender, flaky fish with minimal cleanup, making it the ideal choice for those busy weeknights! A flavorful lemon-herb butter melts luxuriously over the warm salmon, infusing it with a bright, rich, and unforgettable taste.

For years, I resisted the allure of a toaster oven, primarily due to my aversion to cluttered kitchen countertops. However, my husband finally convinced me to give it a try, and now I can confidently say that I am completely hooked!

I find myself preparing a significant portion of our meals using this incredibly versatile appliance, and my toaster oven salmon recipe has consistently ranked as an all-time favorite! To make cleanup a breeze, I always line the pan with aluminum foil beforehand. Once we’re finished enjoying our meal, I simply toss the foil away – it couldn’t be any easier!

The salmon emerges from the toaster oven wonderfully moist and flaky, boasting an abundance of flavor derived from the combination of grainy mustard and fragrant herb butter. It’s undeniably delicious and tastes just as good the following day, making it perfect for leftovers.

(If you’re a fellow salmon enthusiast, be sure to try my lemon pepper salmon recipe or my easy salmon sheet pan dinner for your next seafood indulgence!)

Essential Ingredients for Toaster Oven Salmon

• Salmon – The ideal cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of your salmon fillet. I typically use salmon fillets cut from a larger fillet purchased at Costco. I find that the cost and quality of Costco’s salmon fillets are hard to beat.
• Grainy Mustard – I am a huge fan of grainy mustard! It adds a delightful zing to anything it touches, and the mustard seeds provide a pleasant textural element.
• Spices – Trust me on this spice combination! The combination of kosher salt, garlic powder, paprika, and a touch of sugar complements the mustard beautifully, resulting in an incredibly flavorful experience.
• Butter – I always opt for unsalted butter and add my own salt. If you only have salted butter available, simply omit the salt from the recipe. Don’t skip the butter! It contributes a significant amount of flavor to this dish.
• Lemon – I make it a point to always keep fresh lemons on hand. Both the juice and zest of a lemon add a remarkable amount of flavor to savory dishes. If a recipe tastes good but seems to be missing something, try adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice – it might just be the missing ingredient!
• Herbs – I used a combination of fresh parsley and dill for this recipe, but other herbs like fresh basil or cilantro would also work wonderfully! Experiment with your favorite herbs to customize the flavor to your liking.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Salmon in a Toaster Oven

Preparing salmon in a toaster oven is incredibly straightforward and simple! Before you begin, make sure to preheat your toaster oven to the correct temperature.

• Prepare the Mustard Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the grainy mustard, olive oil, and the blend of spices until thoroughly combined. A mini whisk or even a spoon will work perfectly for this step.
• Line the Toaster Oven Pan: Lining the pan with aluminum foil makes cleanup an absolute breeze! By ensuring that the entire pan is covered, you can prevent it from getting dirty, which means one less dish to wash!

• Brush and Bake the Salmon: Place the salmon fillet, skin side down, onto the prepared pan. Evenly brush the mustard mixture over the top of the salmon, ensuring that it is completely coated. Bake in the preheated toaster oven for approximately 10 minutes.
• Prepare the Herb Butter: While the salmon is baking, take the time to prepare the flavorful herb butter. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, fresh herbs, lemon juice, and lemon zest. If the butter is sufficiently softened, the ingredients should mix together very easily.

• Broil: Switch the toaster oven setting to broil. Keep in mind that every toaster oven is slightly different, so it’s essential to keep a close eye on the salmon to prevent it from burning. The goal is to caramelize the top of the salmon, enhancing its flavor and appearance.
• Serve: Serve the toaster oven salmon immediately while it’s still warm, topped generously with the flavorful herb butter.

Helpful Tips and Tricks for Perfect Toaster Oven Salmon

• You can easily prepare this salmon recipe in a conventional oven. However, the broil setting in a standard oven is typically much hotter than that of a toaster oven, which results in faster caramelization. Therefore, it’s crucial to monitor the salmon closely to avoid burning. You may also need to reduce the broiling time accordingly.
• I prefer to purchase salmon in bulk from Costco. I then use high-quality kitchen shears to cut it into approximately 1.5-pound portions. Alternatively, you can request a 1.5-pound fillet directly from the seafood counter.

How Long to Bake Salmon in a Toaster Oven: Achieving Perfect Flakiness

The exact baking time for salmon in a toaster oven can vary. It primarily depends on the thickness of the salmon fillet and whether you are utilizing the broil setting. Generally, salmon is considered done when it flakes easily with a fork and the internal temperature reaches between 125 to 145°F, depending on your preferred level of doneness. For medium-cooked salmon, aim for an internal temperature of 125–135°F, while well-done salmon should reach 145°F. Keep in mind that the internal temperature will continue to rise a few degrees after the salmon is removed from the oven.

Serving Suggestions: What to Serve with Toaster Oven Salmon

This toaster oven salmon recipe is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a wide variety of side dishes! Here are a few of my personal favorites:

• Rice – I typically prepare my own batch of perfectly cooked white rice. Alternatively, I sometimes opt for the convenient microwaveable jasmine rice available at Trader Joe’s (located in the freezer section). They also offer brown rice and quinoa options.
• Roasted Vegetables – You can roast any vegetables that you have on hand, or try my flavorful roasted green beans and sweet potatoes!
• Steamed Broccoli – Looking for a quick and easy side dish? Try my steamed broccoli in the microwave. Don’t worry, it’s surprisingly delicious! It also pairs perfectly with microwaveable rice for a truly effortless dinner option (no judgment here!).

Storage Instructions for Leftover Toaster Oven Salmon

• Store any leftover cooked salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Reheat the salmon in the microwave until it is heated through.