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There are probably a million and one salmon foil packet recipes out there, but I couldn’t resist sharing my own. Making flaky baked salmon foil packets with vegetables in the oven is one of my favorite ways to make a low carb sheet pan dinner. You can make them that way year round. With summer around the corner, though, I’ll also show you how to make salmon foil packets on the grill. They’re the perfect summer low carb dinner!
Our regular recipe rotation always includes salmon foil packets in the oven, because it’s less to clean and less to cook. My kids will eat them, my friends like them, it’s a win all around. And if you’re making dinner for a crowd, it’s easy to make bigger batches of salmon foil packet recipes.
And if you do a lot of camping or have picnics, add grilled salmon packets to your summer grilling list! As long as you have some foil, a grill, and a few super simple ingredients, you can make easy salmon anywhere.
Frozen or Fresh Salmon For Baked Salmon Foil Packets?
You can use frozen or fresh salmon for baked salmon foil packets! I prefer fresh, simply because I can skip defrosting it, and usually find great deals at warehouse clubs.
TIP: If you decide to use frozen salmon, you will need to thaw it before baking or grilling easy salmon foil packets.
To thaw frozen salmon fillets, you have two options:
- Fill a bowl with cool water and place the sealed salmon fillet(s) inside. This will take around 30 minutes to defrost. If it isn’t done, change out the water and do it again.
- Refrigerate the salmon patties the night before you plan on cooking and it should be defrosted by then.
You can use fresh or frozen salmon with most salmon foil packet recipes, so just grab what you have on hand.
How To Bake Salmon In Foil
Oven grilled salmon looks fancy, but is surprisingly easy to make! Are you ready to see how to bake salmon in foil?
To get started, preheat your oven or grill depending on how you want to make this salmon packets recipe. I use higher heat (400 degrees F) in the oven, but only Medium on the grill because the grill can dry out the salmon a bit more easily.
Lay out 4 large pieces of aluminum foil and place the salmon pieces in the center. Add veggies evenly to each packet.
Here are a few tips to consider when it comes to the vegetables:
- Slice zucchini super thin so it cooks all the way through.
- When choosing asparagus, pick skinnier stalks.
- If you prefer softer tomatoes, cut them in half before baking.
Next, whisk together some olive oil, sea salt, black pepper, lemon juice, minced garlic, parsley, and dill in a small bowl.
Top salmon with half of the mixture.
PRO TIP: Try to get most of the minced garlic onto the salmon for the best flavor. The veggies need less of it.
Pour the rest of the olive oil mixture on top of the vegetables. Sprinkle a bit more salt and pepper over everything.
Fold over and seal the foil packets – this is important to keep the moisture in, so that your salmon is not dry.
You can cook them in the oven or on the grill – here is how to cook salmon foil packets…
How To Make Salmon Foil Packets In The Oven
To bake the salmon foil packets, place them on a baking sheet and cook in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes.
How To Make Salmon Foil Packets On The Grill
To grill salmon foil packets on the grill, place the foil packets directly on the grates and cover with a lid. Grill for 13 to 18 minutes.
How To Tell If Salmon Foil Packets With Vegetables Are Done
You can tell if salmon foil packets with vegetables are done by trying to flake it with a fork – it should flake easily.
Cooked salmon will be a light pink color in the center. If you haven’t cooked salmon often, you might be hesitant to eat pink meat, but it’s completely fine.
TIP: Don’t cook salmon foil packet recipes so long that the salmon is white in the center. It will be rubbery and dry.
The vegetables are done when you can pierce them easily with a fork. However, I recommend using the salmon as the main sign of doneness for salmon foil packets with vegetables.
Salmon Foil Packets Variations
If you prefer different vegetables for your salmon foil packets in the oven (or salmon foil packets on the grill), go for it! There are lots of low carb veggies you can include. Try these:
- Radishes
- Broccoli
- Fresh Green Beans
- Mushrooms
- Bell Peppers
- Brussels Sprouts
- Cauliflower
TIP: For these firmer vegetables (above), it’s best to pre-cook them partially before placing them inside the foil packets. This is because they will take longer to cook than salmon does. You can roast them for about 15 minutes on their own, steam them, or even microwave them, before adding to the foil packets with the salmon and cooking the packets.
Can You Make Salmon Foil Packets Ahead?
Yes, you can make salmon foil packets on the grill ahead if you want to. Salmon and veggie foil packets are best when they are served fresh, but can still be delicious later – if you reheat them correctly.
You can store the cooked packets in the fridge for 2 to 4 days. But, also watch for any changes in smell or appearance.
PRO TIP: To reheat leftover salmon foil packets, reseal them and reheat in a 275-degree oven for 15 minutes. Do not use higher heat to avoid drying out.
Can You Freeze Baked Salmon Foil Packets?
Yes, you can freeze baked salmon foil packets. When freezing perfectly cooked salmon, I recommend a vacuum sealer, or at least freezer bags with the air pushed out. I recommend leaving the salmon and veggies in foil so that you can reseal them to reheat.
Thaw the salmon foil packets in the fridge overnight, then reheat in a low-temperature oven using the make-ahead method above.
More Low Carb Salmon Dishes
If you love these salmon foil packets in the oven, here are more low carb salmon recipes for you:
Don’t forget the low carb side dishes, too!
Tools To Make Baked Salmon Foil Packets With Vegetables
Tap the links below to see the items used to make this recipe.
- Baking Sheets – A versatile set of 2 convenient sizes, plus they are inexpensive and non-stick.
- Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil – I recommend heavy duty for the grill since you’re putting it directly on there. Less important for salmon foil packets in the oven, but I still like that it’s sturdy.
Baked Salmon Foil Packets With Vegetables
Baked Salmon Foil Packets With Vegetables (+ Grill Option!)
Healthy salmon foil packets with vegetables in 25 minutes! Make delicious & EASY baked salmon foil packets in the oven or salmon foil packets on the grill.
Recipe Video
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Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them. Please turn Safari reader mode OFF to view ingredients.
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C), or preheat the grill to medium.
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Lay out 4 large squares of foil (at least 12x12 inches (30x30 cm)). Place a salmon fillet in the center of each piece of foil. Divide the veggies evenly among the foil around the salmon.
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In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, sea salt, black pepper, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, parsley and dill.
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Use about half of the oil mixture to brush the salmon, getting most of the garlic onto the salmon. Pour the remaining oil mixture evenly over the veggies. Lightly sprinkle more salt and pepper over the salmon and veggies.
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Fold the foil over and seal shut to form packets. Place onto a baking sheet.
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Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or grill (covered) for 13-18 minutes, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork or is done to your liking.
Last Step: Leave A Rating!
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Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 packet
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
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34 Comments
Linda
0Sounds a great recipe love salmon only thing is with due respect you would have to cook asparagus and zucchini and tomatoes a little first otherwise the salmon would be cooked well before the veg my opinion.
JK
0This recipe sounds amazing. I need to prep some meals for my Mom. Can I put these together in the foil packets, without cooking them and she can pop in the oven when she’s ready to eat them? If not, what would you suggest? Thank you.
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Jk, Yes, I think that would work out great!
Karen T
0So you can make up the packets, FREEZE them and then bake later???
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Karen, I don’t recommend freezing before baking. However, you can freeze baked salmon foil packets.
Barbara A Hanan
0This is such a great site for keto friendly ideas. Thank you so much; I feel like you are on my journey with me!
Judy
0I thought that this was delicious. I like the different flavors.
I didn’t add the vegetables to the salmon, because I was using fresh green beans. I started to pre-cook the green beans, and then just finished cooking them in the sauté pan. I figured as long as I started cooking them in the sauté pan, I’m already going to wash ithe pan
The fish was moist and delicious. I will add it to our regular rotation. Thanks Maya, this is a great help to me since going dairy free
Caitlyn
0This recipe was quick, simple, and YUMMY! My husband loved it and he usually doesn’t like veggies lol. It’s super easy to reheat later and enjoy the next day as well! Definitely going to be using this recipe regularly! Seriously don’t skimp on the garlic.
Paulette
0Very easy to make and delicious! Thank you for such a great recipe.
Mandy
0Is it the same cook time if you’re making a single serving? I’m the only one in my family that likes salmon. XD
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Mandy, Yes, the cook time and temp will remain the same.
Karen Teeling
0Help. I make meals for my mother so she can take them out of the freezer and bake/nuke when she’s ready to use them. I really want to make a salmon foil pack, but not sure if I cook it all first, cool it and the freeze it for her to thaw and heat in a slow oven for 15 minutes when she’s ready OR do I make them up, freeze them so she can oven bake them from either frozen or thawed state later. Any thoughts???
Wholesome Yum A
0Hi Karen, you can cook, freeze, and reheat salmon, but the flavor and texture will most certainly not be as good. If anything, I would suggest cooking 3-4 of these at once, cooling, and re-heating one from the fridge every day.
Kim
0The best way to cook salmon is slow cooked submerged in olive oil.
Katie
0I love meals that are so simple, and all done in a packet like that. Plus salmon on the grill with veggies is so delicious!
Megan Stevens
0Nice with the veggies and herbs in there, super appealing!
Jules Shepard
0What a GREAT meal! Easy – delicious – crowd pleasing and healthy. Easily one of my favorites!
Joni Gomes
0This is my kind of cooking! I ran out of foil so used parchment paper and it turned out great!
George E. Sampedro
0Duh…Why did I not think of that? Well you are the scientist with a background, so you get the points!
Thank you for your response. I think that it was a great work-around to an old problem of using foil for cooking.
Sharon
0These salmon packets are so good! The perfect healthy meal for dinner any night of the week.
Jean
0Love healthy and easy meals like this one! Definitely going to making it on the grill.
Janice
0Hello Ms. Maya, I love your meals because they have very few ingredients and are very tasty. I was wondering, can you make a keto diet plan for type 2 diabetics? Thanks.
Wholesome Yum
0Hi Janice, I do have keto meal plans available if you use a low carb diet to manage diabetes. If you have more questions, I’d recommend asking our keto support group on Facebook!
George E. Sampedro
0Good morning,
I have come to rely heavily upon your website, tips, and recipes. My comment that I would like to make has to do with the use of aluminum foil in cooking baking. In particular the salmon in the foil packet. I would like to suggest the possibility of an alternative which I believe might be more healthful. I would attempt this using parchment paper. This may or not work, but sealed stainless containers of some sort my work as well, but aluminum I consider a not-so-good choice for food preparation. Thank you so much for all that you do for us out here. God bless you, Ms Maya!!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, George! You can line the foil in parchment paper if you’d like so that the foil doesn’t touch the food.
Doreen
0Delicious!! And so easy!!
Marie-Charlotte Chatelain
0Baking fish in foil is my favorite kitchen hack! Love how moist it stays and that I can get the sides cooked along with my main by just tossing some veggies into the packs! The fish turned out PERFECT – for me, the ideal light dinner on a warm summer day! BEAUTY!
Katie Crenshaw
0What a beautiful healthy easy meal!! I have been trying to incorporate more fish into my diet. The lemon dressing isso scrumptious. I love that making it in the foil made clean up a breeze!
Sue
0This is my FAVORITE way to cook fish of all kinds, it comes out so moist and juicy ~ love your photos!
Marie
0Delicious and healthy! I’ve never tried grilling salmon with veggies in foil before seeing this. It turned out amazing!
Trang
0This recipe is so quick and easy, clean up is also a breeze. Nothing beats a healthful meal that doesn’t take a lot of effort after a long day. Thank you for such a great recipe!
Jenn
0These will be on repeat all spring and summer long – delicious! Such an easy and delicious dish!
Toni
0It was a huge hit! A new favorite meal in our house!
Toni
0This was so good! a new favorite meal in our house!