Indulge in the perfect balance of sweet and savory with this maple-glazed salmon!
I love how the glaze caramelizes in the oven, giving the salmon a beautiful golden crust while keeping the inside perfectly tender and flaky. It’s like a little bit of culinary magic!
Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or an impressive meal for guests, this salmon is sure to satisfy.
Pair it with your favorite sides for a complete, restaurant-quality meal right at home.
Why You’ll Love This Maple Glazed Salmon
Taste Sensation: The combination of sweet maple syrup and savory soy sauce creates a mouthwatering glaze. It perfectly complements the rich, tender salmon.
Versatile Pairing: The balanced flavors make it an excellent match for a wide variety of side dishes, from roasted vegetables to fluffy rice or crisp salads.
Make-Ahead Magic: With a quick 30-minute marinade time, this recipe is ideal for meal prep or busy schedules.
Beautiful Presentation: The caramelized glaze and optional garnishes of sesame seeds, parsley, or green onions add a visually appealing finish.
Ingredients
- Salmon Fillets: The star of the show, these tender and flaky fillets are the perfect canvas for the maple glaze.
- Maple Syrup: The sweet and sticky base of the marinade. It infuses the salmon with a rich, caramelized flavor.
- Soy Sauce: It adds a savory depth and umami flavor to the glaze, balancing out the sweetness of the maple syrup.
- Garlic: Fresh, minced garlic brings a pungent, aromatic note to the marinade.
- Garlic Salt and Ground Black Pepper: A dynamic duo of seasonings elevates the flavors and adds a subtle kick to the dish.
- Cornstarch: The secret ingredient thickens the reserved marinade, creating a luscious, glossy sauce to drizzle over the fillets.
- Sesame Seeds, Chopped Fresh Parsley, or Green Onions (optional): A sprinkle of these vibrant garnishes adds a fresh, colorful touch and enhances the flavor of the glazed salmon.
How to Make Maple Glazed Salmon
This salmon is restaurant-quality, but it’s so easy to make!
1. Prepare the marinade. In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, soy sauce, minced garlic, garlic salt, and black pepper until well combined.
2. Marinate the salmon. Wrap each salmon fillet individually in tin foil, creating a pouch. Place the fillets in a shallow baking dish and pour the maple syrup mixture over them, ensuring each fillet is well coated. Seal the pouches tightly to keep the marinade on the fillets. Marinate in the refrigerator for no more than 30 minutes.
3. Bake the salmon. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the baking dish with the salmon pouches on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.
4. Prepare the baking sheet. While the salmon is baking, prepare another baking sheet by lining it with tin foil and lightly greasing it with cooking spray.
5. Transfer the salmon. After 20 minutes, remove the salmon from the oven. Carefully open the pouches and transfer the fillets to the prepared baking sheet, reserving the liquid from the pouches.
6. Make the sauce. Pour the reserved liquid into a small saucepan and whisk in ½ teaspoon of cornstarch. Cook over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens slightly.
7. Broil the salmon. Increase the oven temperature to broil. Return the salmon fillets to the oven and broil for 5 minutes, or until the glaze is caramelized and the edges are slightly crispy.
8. Serve and garnish. Remove the salmon from the oven and transfer to serving plates. Drizzle the thickened maple sauce over each fillet. Garnish with sesame seeds, chopped fresh parsley, or green onions, if desired. Serve with your favorite side dishes. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Maple Glazed Salmon
These simple tips will make your salmon even more irresistible.
- Take it easy. Do not marinate the salmon for more than 30 minutes, as the acidity in the marinade can start to break down the delicate fish.
- Thicken it up. Whisk a little cornstarch into the reserved marinade and simmer it to create a thicker glaze to pour over the finished salmon.
- Garnish in style. Top the glazed salmon with sesame seeds, fresh herbs like chives or parsley, or sliced green onions for a pop of color and flavor.
- Customize the glaze. Try variations on the glaze, like adding grated ginger, sesame oil, Dijon mustard, or a dash of hot sauce for extra depth of flavor.
- Make it a feast. Serve with simple sides like rice, broccoli, green beans, or a fresh salad to balance the sweet and savory flavors.
How to Store
If you have leftover salmon, keep it nice and fresh with these tips.
To Store: Place leftover maple glazed salmon in an air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Ensure the salmon has cooled completely before storing to prevent condensation.
To Freeze: Wrap individual portions of cooled salmon tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 3 months, and thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
To Reheat: Preheat the oven to 275°F and place the salmon on a baking sheet. Warm for 10-15 minutes or until heated through, being careful not to overcook.
Maple Glazed Salmon
4
servings10
minutes30
minutes259
kcalThis easy maple-glazed salmon is so full of sweet and savory flavor! It’s a delicious, one-pan meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
4 salmon fillets
¼ cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
Optional garnish: sesame seeds, chopped fresh parsley, or green onions
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, soy sauce, minced garlic, garlic salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Wrap each salmon fillet individually in tin foil, creating a pouch. Place the fillets in a shallow baking dish and pour the maple syrup mixture over them, ensuring each fillet is well coated. Seal the pouches tightly to keep the marinade on the fillets. Marinate in the refrigerator for no more than 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the baking dish with the salmon pouches on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.
- While the salmon is baking, prepare another baking sheet by lining it with tin foil and lightly greasing it with cooking spray.
- After 20 minutes, remove the salmon from the oven. Carefully open the pouches and transfer the fillets to the prepared baking sheet, reserving the liquid from the pouches.
- Pour the reserved liquid into a small saucepan and whisk in ½ teaspoon of cornstarch. Cook over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Increase the oven temperature to broil. Return the salmon fillets to the oven and broil for 5 minutes, or until the glaze is caramelized and the edges are slightly crispy.
- Remove the salmon from the oven and transfer to serving plates. Drizzle the thickened maple sauce over each fillet. Garnish with sesame seeds, chopped fresh parsley, or green onions, if desired. Serve with your favorite side dishes. Enjoy!
