Sweet, savory, heart healthy & ready in just 20 minutes!. This easy Maple Dijon Baked Salmon is a fantastic weeknight dinner option. 237 calories and 2 Weight Watchers SmartPoints
We are suckers for a really good baked salmon recipe in this house, that is when we’re not grilling it in foil, making it into meatballs (seriously, so good) or air frying it.
The beauty of salmon, besides that fact that it’s heart healthy and tasty, is that it cooks in almost no time.
Actually, the trick to salmon is not to overcook it, or you’ll end up with dry, dense fish. Don’t worry – I’ll share with you my favorite tip for cooking salmon perfectly.
Tips for making this maple Dijon baked salmon recipe:
Start by lining baking sheet with foil. Easy clean-up always gets my vote!
In a small bowl, stir together the glaze. Since there are just a few ingredients, try to use the best quality. Specifically, this pertains to the maple syrup. This Canadian begs you to use the real stuff, not the corn syrup cheap stuff that they dare to label as maple syrup.😊
Along with the maple syrup, stir in chopped shallots, Dijon mustard, salt and a dash of cayenne pepper.
If using salmon fillets with skin, place the fillets skin side down on the foil-lined baking sheet. Once the salmon is cooked, the fillets should easily loosen from the skin. If you prefer to serve with the skin, be sure to coat the foil with cooking spray so that the skin doesn’t stick.
Brush the glaze over the salmon and cook under the broiler.
How do you tell when salmon is done?
So, how do you avoid overcooking salmon?
I’ve shared this trick with you before, but I think it’s worth repeating because I find it so handy.
Stick a small sharp knife into the thickest part of the salmon and hold it there for 10 seconds. Remove the knife from the fish and cautiously touch the side of the knife to either your upper lip or the inside of your wrist (they’re both very sensitive to temperature). If the knife is hot, the fish is done. It works every time!
What to serve with baked salmon:
So many options! Honestly, there are very few side dishes {LINK} that wouldn’t match up well with this salmon.
We often serve it with one of my favorite with boiled potatoes, brown rice side dish recipes or a quinoa stir fry. Load up on the veggies with stir fried cabbage or sauteed sugar snap peas. In the fall, a savory butternut squash salad is a tasty option.
OTHER EASY, HEALTHY SALMON RECIPES:
Salmon Tostadas with Guacamole {Cookin’ Canuck}
Light Salmon & Potato Chowder {Cookin’ Canuck}
Firecracker Salmon {Jo Cooks}
Grilled Salmon Skewers {What's Gaby Cooking}
Printable Recipe
Maple Dijon Baked Salmon Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 4 ounce each salmon fillets
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- ½ shallot minced
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons minced flat-leaf parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the broiler. Place the rack 8 to 9 inches from the heat source. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly coat with cooking spray.
- Place the salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet.
- In a small bowl, stir together the maple syrup, shallot, Dijon mustard, thyme, salt and cayenne.
- Brush the maple syrup mixture over the salmon fillets.
- Place the baking sheet under the broiler and cook until the salmon is just cooked through, about 10 minutes. Take care not to overcook it, or the fish will become dry and very dense.
- Place the salmon on plates and sprinkle with the parsley. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was first published on February 18, 2015 and updated on August 21, 2020.
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Lauren @ Healthy Delicious
The color on the salmon is stunning. I bet that maple + cayenne is wonderful on it, too.
I can't believe the six weeks are over already! They seriously flew by.
Coleen @ The Redhead Baker
This sounds fantastic! I love, love, love salmon, but almost always make it the same way (with lemon and/or dill) -- so thank you for giving me a new flavor to try out!
Nutmeg Nanny
I have never cooked salmon before I have this weird aversion to eating fish but my hubs love it. I really need to get over my fear of fish because this looks so pretty! I love the knife tip too!
Anita
Congrats on finishing the challenge! And thanks for the tip - my husband loves cooking salmon but he sometimes overcooks it. I'll have to pass this on to him!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking
Ooh. That's a neat trick! My method is cutting into the fish and destroying it. I like your way better. 🙂
Angie
I love the salmon tip. I always undercook it. I like it between medium rare and medium, and my husband has to have it all the way cooked, but I'm so afraid of overcooking it, I end up not cooking salmon the way he'd like it. What a great recipe and challenge too!
Heather | girlichef
A simple, yet entirely delicious, piece of salmon like this is the base for my favorite kind of meal. This look amazing!
Amanda @ The Kitcheneer
I know how I am preparing my next salmon dish! And mind blown over that doneness trick! Will use that one from now on!
Brenda@Sugar-Free Mom
I never knew that trick either!! Fabulously looking and beautiful to boot! Nicely done Dara!
Martha@A Family Feast
We make a similar salmon recipe - the maple and dijon combination is a perfect complement to the salmon! Looks great!