Description
Succulent maple salmon brings Pacific Northwest flavors to your dinner table with a perfect balance of sweet and savory. Rich maple glaze caramelizes beautifully, creating a mouthwatering dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound salmon
Sauce and Seasoning:
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Craft a vibrant marinade by whisking maple syrup, soy sauce, minced garlic, garlic salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl until thoroughly blended.
- Arrange salmon fillets in a shallow glass dish, generously coating each piece with the prepared maple mixture.
- Refrigerate the marinating salmon for 30 minutes, gently rotating the fillets midway to ensure even flavor absorption.
- Heat the oven to 400°F, positioning the rack in the center for uniform cooking.
- Transfer the marinated salmon directly from the refrigerator to the preheated oven, allowing 18-22 minutes of cooking time.
- Check salmon’s doneness by gently testing with a fork – the fish should easily separate and appear opaque throughout.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes to allow residual heat to complete cooking and juices to redistribute.
- Plate the salmon, spooning any remaining caramelized marinade from the baking dish over the top for enhanced flavor and glossy presentation.
Notes
- Swap honey or agave nectar for maple syrup if you want a different sweet profile or don’t have maple syrup on hand.
- Choose fresh salmon with vibrant color and minimal fishy smell for the best flavor and texture.
- Pat salmon dry before marinating to help the sauce adhere better and create a more caramelized exterior during baking.
- For a low-sodium version, use reduced-sodium soy sauce and cut back on garlic salt, replacing it with fresh minced garlic and a pinch of salt.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 277 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg