This maple glazed salmon recipe is so simple to make and it's perfect for one of those busy nights when you don't have a lot of time to get dinner on the table. Deliciously sweet maple syrup combines wonderfully with fresh garlic, ground ginger, and a touch of soy sauce as a marinade for the salmon. This is a healthy recipe that's low in fat and high in protein!
I hope you enjoy this recipe! ❤️ If you give it a try, please let me know how it turned out for you in the comments section at the bottom of the page or share a pic of your om noms on Instagram and tag @dishesanddustbunnies! ❤️
Have you ever had something so delicious that you can't stop thinking about it day after day, week after week?
In today's post, I'm sharing with you one of the recipes that my family craves and asks for over and over again and never get tired of – we love this recipe so much that I serve it at least every other week.
Before sharing this recipe with you, I spent quite a while testing it to make sure that it was just right, and I think I've hit the mark this time for sure!
You can also play around with the ingredient amounts to suit your personal taste when you make this recipe. I sometimes like to add a little extra garlic and little extra ginger to give the recipe a bit more zip.
If you do make any adjustments, be sure to keep the maple syrup and soy sauce ratios about the same to keep the right balance of salty and sweet.
Serve this deliciously flaky and succulent salmon along with some rice and veggies (like we do), or try it with a baked potato and some fresh salad. Whatever way you choose to serve this salmon will certainly be a delicious dinner winner! 😋
What makes this the best maple glazed salmon recipe?
A few things. First, the salmon is coated in a mixture of maple syrup, garlic, soy sauce, ground ginger and a little pepper – these simple glaze ingredients give it the most incredible flavor! And second, it's baked in the oven until crisp on the outside and tender on the inside.
This recipe is so simple to make, yet the flavors are absolutely incredible. The key to making this recipe perfect is to use quality ingredients. I always use wild caught salmon because it has the best flavor, but you could also use farm raised salmon if you prefer. And make sure to use real maple syrup, not pancake syrup!
What are the basic ingredients for Maple Glazed Salmon?
The ingredients used to make this recipe are so simple you most likely will have everything already at home! The basic ingredients used in maple salmon recipe include maple syrup, soy sauce, garlic, a little ground ginger and some black pepper.
Be sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of the post for full ingredients & instructions!
How to make Maple Glazed Salmon – Overview
Delicious homemade maple glazed baked salmon is super easy to make! You can find detailed instructions in the recipe at the bottom of the page, but first, here is a little overview of how it's done:
Begin by placing the salmon fillet in a baking dish. You can use a little cooking spray to help prevent the salmon from sticking to the dish if you like.
Sprinkle it with garlic, ground ginger, and black pepper. Next, pour the soy sauce and maple syrup mixture over top of the salmon. You can marinate the salmon in its seasonings for about 30 minutes to get the best flavor.
Bake salmon in the oven for about 15-20 minutes on the broil setting. While it's cooking, check on it a couple of times and be sure to spoon some of the maple glaze over the top.
How long should salmon be marinated?
Salmon should be marinated for at least 30 minutes, but no more than 2 hours. This will allow the salmon to absorb the flavors of the marinade, while still keeping its texture intact.
Can I use pancake syrup instead of maple syrup?
Yes, you can use pancake syrup instead of maple syrup when making Maple Glazed Salmon but I highly recommend using pure maple syrup. If you use pancake syrup, the taste will be slightly different, but the dish will still be delicious.
If you don't have real maple syrup on hand, you could add some maple extract to regular pancake syrup to give it more of a maple flavor. Nothing beats the natural taste of maple syrup though!
What kind of dish can I bake my maple glazed salmon in?
When it comes to maple glazed salmon fillets, you really can't go wrong with any kind of baking dish. I like to use an oven safe glass baking dish (ceramic is good too) because it helps the salmon cook evenly and keeps the glaze from burning. However, feel free to use whatever type of dish you have on hand.
Many readers who have made this recipe have commented that using a rimmed baking sheet works great too!
How do I know when my Salmon is done cooking?
You'll know when your salmon has finished cooking when the top has become golden and the texture becomes flaky. when checked with a meat thermometer salmon is fully cooked when it reaches 145°F.
What is the white stuff coming out of the salmon when it's cooked?
If you notice “white stuff” coming out of your salmon when it's cooking, don't worry! It's perfectly normal and doesn't mean anything is wrong with your salmon. It's completely harmless and safe to eat.
The “white stuff” is a natural protein called albumin and is in liquid form when the fish is raw. Once the fish is cooked, this protein will escape through its surface, thicken up and become semi solid. According to food network, most of the time albumin will form on salmon that's been overcooked or cooked too quickly, but it's not a big deal if it happens – it'll still be yummy!
Alternative Cooking Methods
How to Cook Maple Glazed Salmon in an Air Fryer
When you're ready to cook, preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Cook the salmon for 8-10 minutes, or until it is cooked through. Serve immediately with your favorite sides. Enjoy!
Recipe Variations
To make this delicious salmon recipe even better, try adding some hoisin sauce to the maple glaze! This gives the salmon an extra depth of flavor that takes it over the top.
Honey Garlic Maple Glazed Salmon: Another great way to change up this recipe is by adding honey and garlic to the maple glaze. This creates a sticky, sweet and savory glaze that is absolutely amazing!
Spicy Maple Glazed Salmon: If you like things with a bit of a kick, try adding some chili flakes or Sriracha sauce to the glaze. This will give the salmon a lovely spicy flavor that goes so well with the sweetness of the maple syrup.
Maple Glazed Salmon with Dijon Mustard: Add some dijon mustard to the glaze for a bit of tanginess. This pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the maple syrup and makes for a truly delicious salmon dish.
Add Bacon! Yes, you heard that right! Add a sprinkling of cooked bacon bits to the maple glaze mixture for a nice bold** salty crunch. So good!
Try Adding: Green onions and sesame seeds also make for a nice addition when sprinkled on top just after the salmon finishes cooking!
There are so many ways that you can change up this recipe to make it your own. Get creative and experiment with different flavors to find what you like best. I guarantee that you will love this salmon no matter what!
Can I eat salmon skin?
Salmon skin so super yummy! Of course, you can eat salmon skin! It's absolutely delicious and so flavourful, plus it's packed with all sorts of healthy nutrients like Omega 3 fatty acids, which are known for helping to prevent heart disease.
If you prefer, you can absolutely make this recipe using skinless salmon fillets instead!
Be sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of the post for full ingredients & instructions!
How long is leftover salmon be good for?
When I make this recipe, there are typically never any leftovers! Fresh salmon is always best, but if you do happen to have any leftovers, it will be good for about 2 days when stored in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container.
When stored in the freezer, cooked salmon should be good for about two months.
Can leftover maple glazed salmon be reheated?
I find that the best way to reheat leftover salmon is in the oven. Put your leftover salmon in a baking dish (covered to keep in the moisture) and bake for about 15 -20 minutes at 350°F.
What to Serve with Maple Glazed Salmon
Here are some yummy ideas on what to serve with your maple glazed salmon:
- white rice or brown rice – any kind is great!
- potatoes
- steamed veggies – roasted or grilled are nice too!
- pasta
- Homemade Alfredo Sauce – I love linguine pasta with alfredo and salmon!
- Garlic Parmesan Pasta with Basil and Cherry Tomatoes
- Shrimp and Bacon Pasta Carbonara
Maple Glazed Salmon
- Total Time: 53 minute
- Yield: 1 lb Salmon = 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 lb. salmon fillet
- 1/4 cup Maple syrup
- 2 tbsp. soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- Pinch of ground ginger – or more to taste
- Pinch of pepper
Instructions
- Place the salmon in a glass baking dish and sprinkle with garlic, ginger and pepper.
- Combine the soy sauce and in maple syrup in a small measuring cup and pour over the salmon.
- Allow the salmon to marinate in the dish with the maple syrup and spices for about 30 minutes. Flip your salmon over half way through marinating so the skin side is up and pink part is immersed in the sauce – this will help spread the flavours through the whole piece. I allow mine to marinate in the dish on the counter while I prep anything else I'm going to be serving with the salmon. You can also marinate this over night if you like.
- Before cooking your salmon, flip it back over so the pink side is facing up. Spoon some of the sauce over top. Set your oven to broil and cook the salmon for about 15 to 20 minutes. While the salmon is cooking, be sure to check on it a few times and spoon some of the maple syrup mixture from the bottom of the dish over top of the salmon.
- The top of the salmon should become golden and the texture should be flaky when done.
- Split the salmon into about four pieces and serve with rice and veggies. Don't forget to spoon some of that delicious sauce from the bottom of the pan onto the tops of your salmon.
Notes
If you marinate the salmon in the fridge, please make sure that you take it out ahead of time and allow it to reach room temperature before cooking. This is very important since cooking the salmon while it's ice cold or chilled will result in uneven cooking.
If you're cooking a bigger piece of salmon, you can double or triple the marinade recipe. Follow the same instructions as above but you may need to increase the cook time. Just keep you eyes on it and you should be ok. ?
In the pictures for this post, I used a 2lb salmon and doubled the amounts in the recipe above.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes to marinade
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes to cook
- Category: Seafood
- Method: Bake/Broil
