How long to bake salmon at 425

Do a quick search for the correct salmon temperature, and chances are you'll see the number "145°F" big and bold, right at the top of your search page.

But cooking salmon to that temperature will ruin the fish, making it dry, chewy, and fairly flavorless.

In truth, it's best to cook salmon to between 120°F and 125°F. Yes, it's safe (read below for why) and it'll result in much more appetizing food on your plate.

So where does the 145°F number come from?

How to cook salmon in a pan

Why does the USDA recommend such a high number? And how can you cook salmon lower than that safely?

We'll tell you everything you want to know. Just read on.

Oven baked salmon in foil

Get the recipe: Miso Marinated Salmon

Is Salmon Done at 145°F?

It's overdone. 145°F is the temperature recommended by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which sets the food safety regulations in the States.

The USDA arrived at this number because the main microorganism, Listeria, that causes food borne illness in seafood and fish is killed more or less instantly at 145°F.

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internal cooking temp for salmon in oven

cooking time for salmon fillet in oven