Chef John's Salmon

Center-cut broiled salmon fillet is lovely with tarragon and Italian parsley, but basil paired with thyme or other varieties of fish fillets works, too!

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 25 mins
• Calories: 496 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic, sliced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 0.25 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 (8 ounce) center-cut salmon fillets, with skin

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Season salmon fillets with kosher salt. Line a baking sheet with foil and brush lightly with vegetable oil.

Step 2

Preheat the oven's broiler to high and set the oven rack about 8 inches from heat source.

Step 3

Process garlic, tarragon, and parsley in a blender or in a mortar and pestle to form a loose paste.

Step 4

Mix mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and cayenne pepper into garlic-herb mixture until combined.

Step 5

Place salmon fillets, skin-side-down, on the baking sheet. Spread herb mixture over the top and sides of each fillet.

Step 6

Cook under the preheated broiler until fillets are well-browned, about 5 minutes. Turn the broiler off and turn the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 7

Bake until internal temperature of salmon is 130 degrees F (55 degrees C) and salmon flakes easily with a fork, about 3 to 4 minutes.