When dinner needs to be simple, reliable, and still feel a little special, these 5-Ingredient Oven Baked Salmon Chunks are such a handy recipe to keep around. Starting with frozen raw salmon chunks means there is no thawing to worry about, and a quick mix of pantry staples turns them into tender, flavorful bites with hardly any fuss. This is the kind of sheet pan meal that works beautifully on a busy weeknight and still feels nice enough to put on the table for family or friends.
Serve these salmon chunks with fluffy rice, roasted potatoes, buttered noodles, or a scoop of mashed potatoes to soak up the savory juices. For vegetables, steamed broccoli, green beans, asparagus, or a crisp side salad all pair well, and a wedge of lemon on the side brightens everything up nicely.
5-Ingredient Oven Baked Salmon Chunks
Servings: 4
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds frozen raw salmon chunks
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it for easier cleanup.
2. Spread the frozen raw salmon chunks in a single layer on the prepared sheet pan, leaving a little space between the pieces if you can.
3. In a small bowl, stir together the olive oil, soy sauce, honey, and garlic powder until well combined.
4. Spoon or brush the sauce over the frozen salmon chunks, coating the tops as evenly as possible.
5. Bake for 14 to 18 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through, flakes easily with a fork, and reaches a safe internal temperature of 145°F in the thickest piece.
6. Let the salmon rest for 2 to 3 minutes, then serve warm with your favorite sides.
Variations & Tips
For a little citrus: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon over the salmon right before serving if you want a brighter finish. It wakes up the flavor nicely, especially with rice or roasted vegetables.
For picky eaters: Keep the seasoning as written for a mild, family-friendly flavor, or reduce the soy sauce slightly if your crew prefers a gentler taste. You can also serve the salmon with a dipping sauce on the side instead of adding anything extra on top.
For even cooking: Try to use salmon chunks that are close in size so they bake at the same rate. If a few pieces are much smaller, check them early and remove them once they are cooked through.
To prevent sticking: Parchment paper really helps here, especially since the honey in the glaze can caramelize on the pan. It also makes cleanup much easier on busy nights.
To change the flavor: Swap the garlic powder for onion powder, or add a light sprinkle of black pepper if you want a little extra depth without adding more fuss. This recipe is a nice base for making small changes with what you already have in the pantry.