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Recipe

Cilantro Salt Crusted Salmon

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Cilantro Salt Crusted Salmon
Prep time10 min
Cook time15 min
Total time25 min
Serves4 servings
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Cilantro Salt Crusted Salmon — The Simplest, the most flavorful fish you will ever make. Depending on the thickness of fish and your oven, this crusted salmon with punchy flavors can come together in less than 15 minutes for a super elegant lunch or dinner! If you don’t have salmon available, you can adapt this recipe to other fish like sea bream, bass or pollock.

Christina Cherrier
by Christina Cherrier
Christina Cherrier

Christina Cherrier is a recipe developer and editor for Eatwell101 since 2011. She specializes in savory recipes, quick dinner options, and holiday menus. She is a professionally trained cook and worked as a consultant in the hospitality industry.

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Updated May 16, 2026
Table of contents

This recipe can look complicated at first, but it’s very easy – you can also check this guide on how to bake salmon in the oven if you’re a total beginner ;)

Whole-Fish-Baked-in-Salt-CrustPhoto credit: © Eatwell101.com

Ingredients list for the baked salmon in salt

Fish:

  • 1 pound salmon fillets (450g), with skin on
  • 1 1/2 pound (750g) rock salt
  • 1 sprig of fresh cilantro, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 egg whites
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Cilantro-Salt-Yogurt-saucePhoto credit: © Eatwell101.com

Yogurt Sauce:

  • 1 shallot or 1/2 red onion, peeled and finely chopped
  • 6 tablespoons vinegar
  • 6 tablespoons water
  • 1 greek yogurt
  • Olive oil
  • Chopped cilantro, to taste

Salt-crusted-baked-whole-fish-recipePhoto credit: © Eatwell101.com

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Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 460°F (240°C). Wash the salmon fillets then pat dry with kitchen paper.

2. In a large bowl, combine the rock salt, honey, eggs and cilantro, then evenly spread one-third of the salt over baking tray. Lay the salmon into the tray, then spoon over the remaining salt mixture, to cover the fish completely. Place the tray in the hot oven for around 15 – 20 minutes, or until cooked through. To test if the salmon is ready, push a skewer through the salt into the thickest part of the fish – if it comes out warm after 5 seconds, it’s done.

3. Meanwhile, make the yogurt sauce. Put the shallot in a saucepan with vinegar and water. Reduce the mixture to 1/3 over high heat. Add the greek yogurt and chopped cilantro. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Then set aside in a bowl.

4. Once cooked, remove the salmon from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes, then break the salt crust with a knife being careful not to slice into the fish at this point. Discard the remaining salt, brushing away any excess from the top of the salmon. At this point your can serve the dish like this, or transfer the fish to a large platter, then score and peel back the skin. Serve with the yogurt sauce and lemon wedges for squeezing over.

Fish-Baked-in-Salt-CrustPhoto credit: © Eatwell101.com

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Nutrition Info (Beta version)
* The presented values are approximate and shouldn't be considered as accurate. Please calculate your OWN nutrition information in a database using the brand names you have at hand. Each brand is different and nutrition information can vary.
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