This oven-baked basil tomato salmon wrapped in foil is a fast, healthy dinner seasoned with cherry tomatoes, garlic, lemon, and fresh basil. It’s simple to assemble and ready in under 30 minutes.
We love quick salmon meals, especially foil packet recipes like this one. They come together in minutes, cook mostly unattended in the oven, and deliver great flavor with minimal cleanup. This version highlights sweet roasted cherry tomatoes, bright lemon, garlicky aroma, and fresh basil for a simple, satisfying main course.
All you need is salmon fillets, garlic, cherry tomatoes, lemon, basil, olive oil, salt and pepper. The ingredients meld as the fish cooks, producing tender, flavorful salmon and soft, jammy tomatoes.
Table of Contents
- Why this recipe works:
- Recipe ingredients:
- Additions/Substitutions
- Step by step instructions:
- Recipe FAQs
- Other fish recipes you will love:
- Oven Baked Basil Tomato Salmon in Foil Recipe
Why this recipe works:
- Ready in about 30 minutes for a quick, home-cooked meal.
- Fits many diets: naturally Paleo, gluten-free, grain-free, Whole30 compliant and dairy-free.
- Uses only a few pantry staples and fresh ingredients—easy to keep on hand.
- Cherry tomatoes soften and concentrate in flavor, complementing the salmon.
- Simple enough for busy weeknights and appealing to the whole family.
Recipe ingredients:
- Salmon fillets (about 1.5–2 lbs total, 4 fillets)
- Olive oil
- 4–5 cloves garlic, chopped
- 20 cherry tomatoes, halved (about 5 per fillet)
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 8 large fresh basil leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
See the recipe card below for measurements and nutrition details.
Additions/Substitutions
- Add fresh oregano or thyme for an herbal twist.
- Include thinly sliced onion or a sprinkle of onion powder for extra flavor.
- Swap regular tomatoes if you don’t have cherry tomatoes; cut into similar-sized pieces.
Step by step instructions:
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Place a sheet of aluminum foil for each fillet. Drizzle olive oil in the center, lay the salmon skin-side down, then season with lemon juice, salt, pepper, and chopped garlic.
Step 2: Place two large basil leaves on each fillet.
Step 3: Scatter five halved cherry tomatoes over each fillet. Fold the foil up and seal to form a packet.
Step 4: Bake for 15–20 minutes, depending on fillet thickness, until the salmon is cooked through. Optionally open each packet and broil 1–2 minutes to add a light char—watch the basil so it doesn’t burn.
Recipe FAQs
No. Broiling is optional and only adds a bit of crisp on top. The salmon will be fully cooked after baking.
Basil, oregano, thyme, dill, turmeric, and chili powder all work well. Choose what you enjoy.
Cooking in foil locks in moisture and concentrates flavor, but you can cook uncovered if you prefer a firmer crust.
Other fish recipes you will love:
Try other simple fish preparations like air-fried fillets, pan-fried salmon or trout, salmon fishcakes, creamy dairy-free pan-seared salmon, or salmon rice bowls for variety. These methods offer different textures and flavor profiles while keeping seafood easy and delicious.
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Oven Baked Basil Tomato Salmon in Foil
Ingredients
- olive oil
- 1.5-2 lbs salmon fillets, (about 4 fillets)
- 4-5 cloves garlic, chopped
- 20 cherry tomatoes, halved (about 5 per fillet)
- salt
- pepper
- 1/2 lemon
- 8 large basil leaves
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
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Lay out four pieces of foil. Drizzle olive oil in the center of each and place a salmon fillet skin-side down on each sheet.
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Divide the chopped garlic among the fillets and season with salt and pepper. Squeeze some lemon juice over each piece.
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Top each fillet with two basil leaves and five halved cherry tomatoes. Fold the foil around the fish to seal each packet.
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Bake 15–20 minutes, depending on thickness, until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
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Optional: open packets and broil 1–2 minutes to lightly brown the top; watch the basil so it doesn’t burn.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.