Perfectly Cooked Salmon: How Long to Cook Salmon at 400 Degrees

Salmon is a flavorful, fatty fish that can make the perfect dinner. And although you can cook it at lower temperatures, 400 is considered the best as it lets the salmon garner some color and the skin get crispy. So, for how long should you cook salmon at 400?

This article discusses how long you should cook salmon at 400 and more about cooking salmon. Tune in!

Table of Contents

How Long to Cook Salmon At 400?

How long it takes to cook salmon at 40 depends on the salmon size, condition, and preferred cooking method. Here’s how long it will take to cook salmon at 400 under various cooking methods.

Baking Salmon In The Oven At 400

This is how long it takes to bake salmon in the oven at 400:

Uncovered salmon – baking uncovered salmon in the oven at 400 takes 10-15 minutes. Note that the time may be less or more depending on the salmon’s size. Thick cuts take longer, while thin cuts take a shorter time.
Covered salmon – baking salmon covered in foil at 400 takes 12-20 minutes to bake fully. Wrapping your salmon in foil is excellent at locking in the moisture and flavors of the fish and preventing it from drying.
Frozen salmon – frozen salmon takes longer than unfrozen one. It takes 15-23 minutes to bake frozen, uncovered salmon. When you wrap the frozen salmon in foil, baking time is reduced to 15-18 minutes.

Cooking Salmon in Air Fryer At 400

You can also cook your salmon in an air fryer. Here, you may choose to wrap it in foil or not. Cooking uncovered salmon in an air fryer at 400 takes 8-12 minutes. On the other hand, cooking salmon wrapped in foil in an air fryer at 400 takes 6-10 minutes.

When cooking salmon in an air fryer, keep a close eye on your fish to prevent it from being overcooked or burnt. That’s because an air fryer is smaller than an oven and cooks faster.

So, it’s best to set your cooking time for less than you think you’ll need. This way, you’ll check on your fish early, and prevent it from overcooking.

Grilling Salmon At 400

It takes 10-20 minutes to grill salmon at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. When grilling salmon, it’s best to remove it from the grill just before it’s done and let it rest. During the rest time, the salmon will continue to cook, raising its temperature and turning out delicious.

How To Know Your Salmon Is Done

Here are methods to determine if your salmon is done and ready to eat.

Using A Meat Thermometer

An instant-read meat thermometer is the most reliable method of determining if your salmon is fully cooked. The USDA recommends that cooked salmon attain an internal temperature of 145 degrees before it’s safe to eat.

However, most chefs report that cooking salmon until 145 degrees produces tough fish. So, how can you go around the temperature thing?

A good guide is to cook salmon until it nears this temperature, around 137 degrees. And once your salmon reaches 137, remove it from the oven, grill, or air fryer and let it rest. While resting, the salmon will continue cooking, raising its temperature to the recommended 145.

Color

Color is another method you can use to check for salmon’s doneness. Raw salmon has a bright pink color. However, fully cooked salmon should have a light peach color with a white section coming from the inside of the salmon.

The Poke Test

You can also use the poke test to check your salmon’s doneness. Take a fork and poke it gently into the salmon. If the salmon falls apart, it’s done cooking and ready to eat.

How To Bake Salmon At 400

Baking is one of the easiest and healthiest ways of cooking salmon. For this recipe, you’ll need the following:

Nonstick cooking oil spray
4-6 oz fresh salmon fillets
I tbsp. olive oil
Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Procedure

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
Line a baking dish or sheet with aluminum foil and spray the nonstick cooking oil spray.
Place the salmon on the baking dish.
Rub the fish with olive oil and season with salt and black pepper.
Bake, the salmon for 15-20 minutes or until the internal temperature registers 137.
Let the salmon rest for 10 minutes, raising its temperature to 145 degrees.
Serve with your favorite side dish, and enjoy.

What to Serve With Baked Salmon

Here are side dishes that pair well with baked salmon:

Quinoa salad with feta and mint
Crispy roasted brussels sprouts
Honey balsamic roasted beets
Kale salad with pecans and cranberries
Lemon asparagus
Roasted cauliflower
Quinoa salad with pecans and cranberries
Green beans with crispy shallots
Sesame noodle salad

Best Sauces/Glaze To Serve With Baked Salmon

Here are some of the best sauces or glazes to serve alongside baked salmon:

Brown sugar glaze – mix ¼ cup brown sugar, one tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice, and two tablespoon Dijon mustard. Brush this over the salmon during the last 5-10 minutes of cooking.
Honey soy glaze – mix ¼ cup soy sauce and honey, 1 tbsp vegetable oil, and one clove crushed garlic and brush over your fish during the last 5-10 cooking.
Lemon butter sauce – combine ¼ cup butter, one clove of minced garlic, and one tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Heat the sauce in a small skillet over low heat until melted, and drizzle over your cooked fish.
Herb mustard sauce – mix ¼ cup Dijon mustard, one clove of minced garlic, and two tablespoons of chopped fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley. Serve this on the side as a dipping sauce.

Conclusion

How long it takes to cook salmon at 400 depends on the cooking method and the salmon size. Baking uncovered, covered, and frozen salmon at 400 degrees in the oven takes 10-15, 12-20, and 15-23 minutes. Cooking salmon on the grill at 400 takes 10-20 minutes. Finally, cooking salmon in an air fryer at 400 takes 8-12 and 6-10 for uncovered and covered.