Baked Teriyaki Salmon in Foil

Baked teriyaki salmon in foil is the best weeknight meal. Full of flavor and healthy fats, it's a quick easy dinner for the whole family!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Asian

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 15

Total Time 20

Servings servings

Calories 281kcal

Cost $15

Preheat oven to 425°F. Spray a sheet pan with nonstick cooking spray (I also lined mine with tin foil to protect it from any burnt drippings).
Lay your salmon fillets on the pan, leaving a space in between each one.
Combine the dried seasonings (not including the brown sugar) in a small bowl with salt and pepper. Sprinkle it on both sides of the salmon.
Spoon brown sugar on top of each fillet and spread it around with the spoon. Add the teriyaki sauce on top of the brown sugar and spread it around too.
Top the fillets with thin lemon slices, if using. Then, add a light drizzle of olive oil over everything. Allow the salmon to sit for a few minutes (no longer than 30 minutes) to soak in all the great flavor.
If you prefer a softer salmon, fold tin foil around it to form a foil packet. If you like a crispier exterior on the salmon, leave the foil flat and open.
Bake salmon in the oven for about 15 minutes or until it is flakey and opaque in the middle.
*The sauce that’s on the sheet pan or foil might burn a little bit, but the salmon should come out perfectly crisp and caramelized.

I buy the large salmon from Costco and cut it into individual fillets. You can also leave the salmon whole (or cut it in half), but you may need to adjust the cooking time.
When purchasing teriyaki sauce at the grocery store, I look for one that has recognizable ingredients (no added processed “junk”) and is on the thicker side.
The brown sugar is optional. If you’d prefer not to include added sugar, leave it off, but it does help in developing a deliciously sweet and caramelized glaze on top of the salmon.
The lemon slices are also optional. I feel that they help balance the sweetness of the sugar, but if you don’t want a ton of citrus flavor, then don’t add them.
For a delicious sweet and smoky salmon, cook this salmon on top of a cedar board on your barbecue grill. Soak the board in water a few hours prior to cooking so it doesn’t burn. Grill over medium heat until the salmon caramelizes and cooks through in the middle. Cedar grilling boards are often found in the grilling aisle of the grocery store or hardware store.