Maple Mustard Salmon
Try our Maple Glazed Salmon, glazed in a delicious, sweet, and tangy 3-ingredient sauce and baked until tender.
Love salmon recipes? Try our Salmon Quinoa Cakes, Egg Salad with Salmon, or Grilled Salmon Burgers.
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Why I Love This Recipe
- Simple Base – Our new way to serve salmon involves just four ingredients for that irresistible natural flavor. Trust us, even the pickiest eaters will love this dish.
- Lean Protein – Salmon is a total superstar with its mild flavor and meaty texture. It’s a lean source of protein ideal for a healthy weeknight meal.
- Easy Recipe – Possibly the easiest salmon recipe available. It’s super straightforward and done in just 20 minutes. This is the perfect recipe to serve alongside cauliflower mash and roasted parmesan asparagus.
- Flavor-filled – This is one of those flavor-packed recipes. Your salmon dinner gets the sweet treatment with a maple syrup glaze. Plus, it’s gluten-free – same as our brussel sprout apple salad.
Ingredients
You’ll find all the easy ingredients to make this healthy and delicious salmon in your local grocery store:
- Salmon: One large filet or four individual filets. Go for wild-caught salmon for its lean protein and better taste.
- Dijon mustard: Introduces a little heat to our glazed salmon recipe. You can also use yellow mustard or a similar grainy-mustard variant.
- Maple syrup: Part of our maple mustard glaze, this natural sweetener balances the tanginess and heat of the mustard.
- Garlic: A sharp, aromatic kick to round out the glaze. Always use fresh garlic.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations
Here’s how you can add your own twist to this sweet and spicy baked salmon recipe:
- Crispy Crust: Fancy a different texture? Add Panko breadcrumbs to your salmon for a bit of added crunch.
- Another Glaze: If you’re feeling experimental, try another glaze, such as teriyaki, or delicious dill.
- More Heat: Add a hint of heat to the glaze with some red pepper flakes.
- Bite-Sized: Transform this recipe into delightful salmon bites. Perfect for appetizers or small snack servings.
- More Syrup: Feeling sweet? Drizzle a bit more syrup for a stronger maple flavor.
Few Notes About Cooking Salmon
The secret to delicious salmon is not to overcook it. Even thick fillets of salmon will cook very quickly so it’s a good idea to always keep an eye on it and start checking for doneness early on.
I used wild-salmon for this recipe which is much leaner than farmed salmon. It took about 8 minutes for the wild-salmon to be done. Farmed salmon is fattier and thicker so it will require more time to bake.
When the salmon starts to flake easily with a fork and the flesh looks opaque, it’s done!
How to Make
Making this delicious baked salmon with maple mustard glaze is super straightforward! Just follow these easy steps. Check below for a detailed recipe card.
Make the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, mustard, and garlic.
Prep the salmon: Place the salmon fillet into a baking dish and pour the sauce over the salmon, covering the top and all sides. Season the salmon with salt and pepper, to taste.
Bake: Bake the salmon for 8-14 minutes in a preheated 425F oven. Bake time will depend on the thickness of the salmon. The salmon should flake easily with a fork and look opaque.
Expert Tips
Here are some expert tips to help you make the best baked salmon recipe:
- Overbake Alert: This is a forgiving recipe, but the golden rule? Don’t overbake. You wouldn’t want your lovely salmon to end up dry.
- Bone Patrol: Always check for small pin bones before cooking. They’ve usually been removed, but it’s better to be safe. Run your finger along the filet to check, using a set of tweezers to remove any culprits.
- Skin’s In: Leave the skin on during cooking. It makes prep easier and less messy. You can always easily take it off once the salmon is cooked.
- Temp Check: Invest in a meat thermometer. When the internal temperature of the salmon hits 145°F (63°C) – it’s cooked to perfection.
- Clean Freak: For an easy post-cooking experience, line your baking sheet with parchment paper. Makes clean-up a snap!
Serving Suggestions
These are some of our favorite sides to serve with this healthy baked salmon:
- Rosemary Garlic Potatoes: The earthy flavors of rosemary and garlic perfectly balance the sweetness of the salmon.
- Roasted Garlic Green Beans: The perfect healthy side to our protein-rich salmon.
- Pineapple Rice: This tropical side brings a burst of freshness and a slightly tangy twist.
- Roasted Brussel Sprouts: Their caramelized outer layers and nutty flavor go nicely with the salmon.
- Baked Potato Fries: A classic side! These crispy, salty fries are a great counterpart to the sweet and tangy salmon.
How to Store
If you’ve got any leftover salmon, you can keep it for a next-day meal. Here’s the best way to store and reheat it:
- Fridge: Wrap the salmon with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. Cooked salmon should last up to 3 days, while the glaze will keep for 4 weeks if stored separately.
- Freezer: Looking to store it for even longer? Salmon lasts 3-4 months in the freezer.
- Reheat: If you’ve chosen to freeze your salmon, always allow it to thaw in the fridge before reheating.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Whether you choose fresh or frozen salmon, our maple mustard salmon recipe will turn out delicious.
If you’re using frozen, make sure to defrost it completely in the fridge, then pat it dry before applying the glaze and cooking.
Certainly! If you don’t have Dijon on hand, you can use other types of mustard like whole grain or yellow mustard – though it’ll change the flavor slightly.
Yes, you can. Pan-frying results in a crispier skin and can be quicker. Get your skillet hot first over medium heat, and add a bit of olive oil. Cook your seasoned salmon filets skin down first.
Depending on the thickness of your filets, they should take 2-3 minutes on each side. When the salmon flakes easily with a fork, it’s done.
Yes, there is. Wild salmon tends to have a firmer texture and a more robust flavor because of its natural diet.
Farmed salmon is an okay substitute, though it might be milder in taste and can sometimes have a fattier texture.
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If you try Maple Mustard Salmon, please leave a star rating and let me know how you like the recipe in the comments below.
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Maple Mustard Salmon
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 14 min
- Total Time: 19 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Description
Maple mustard glazed salmon is delicious, sweet, and tangy. It’s coated in a 3-ingredient sauce and baked until tender.
Ingredients
- 20 oz. fresh, wild-caught, salmon fillet or 4 (5 oz.) individual fillets
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp. fresh minced garlic, about 2 cloves
- Fresh minced parsley, for garnish, optional
- Kosher salt and fresh black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Arrange the salmon in a 9X13 baking dish.
- Whisk together the maple syrup, mustard, and garlic. Pour over salmon, covering the top and sides.
- Bake for 8-14 minutes or until salmon flakes with a fork. Start checking for doneness around 8 minutes. If desired, garnish with parsley before serving.
Notes
- Salmon: I used wild salmon for this recipe which is much leaner than farmed salmon. It took about 8 minutes for the salmon to be done. Farmed salmon is fattier and thicker so it will require more time to bake.
- Leftovers: Leftover salmon will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 ounces
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 11.9 g
- Sodium: 211.5 mg
- Fat: 6.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 14.1 g
- Protein: 31.8 g
- Cholesterol: 72.4 mg
Recipe originally published November 2020 but since been updated with more information.
Hi! I'm Katya -- a former corporate paralegal turned full-time recipe developer and blogger behind Little Broken. Here you'll find family-friendly and seasonal recipes made from real ingredients.
