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This Maple Mustard Glazed Salmon is an amazing entree that’s just as perfect for an easy weeknight dinner at home as an elegant dinner party! Minimal ingredients and maximum wow factor!

This Easy Salmon Recipe is always a hit. It takes little time to prep and grill and the simple flavors complement the meaty seafood.

Maple Mustard Glazed Salmon fillets on a white serving tray.
Table of Contents hide
1 Why You Must Make
2 Ingredient Notes
3 How to Make
4 Recipe Tips
5 Health Benefits of Eating Salmon
6 Frequently Asked Questions
7 More Healthy Recipes You’ll Love
8 Mustard Maple Salmon Recipe

Why You Must Make

  • This salmon takes only minutes to prepare and cook.
  • A simple glaze imparts delicious flavor.
  • It’s super healthy!

Ingredient Notes

  • Kitchen Staples – Kosher salt, Freshly Ground Black Pepper
  • Real Maple Syrup – Don’t use Log Cabin, etc, or the taste won’t be the same.
  • Cider Vinegar – Less harsh than white vinegar.
  • Fresh Thyme Leaves – Strip the leaves off the stems, then measure. Save some sprigs of thyme to garnish the salmon on a serving tray if serving to dinner guests.
  • Fresh Salmon – Skin On. Wild salmon is best, but it can be pricy. So use what’s in your budget. 6-8 ounces per serving.
Maple Mustard Salmon Ingredients with labels on a sheetpan.

How to Make

Make the glaze.
Dry salmon; place on oiled grill pan.
Season, glaze, then roast. as directed.
Salmon on serving tray topped with sprigs of thyme.
Serve and enjoy!

My youngest sister, Maddy, whipped up a marvelous salmon recipe when we were in Iowa visiting our parents. It was my dad’s 79th birthday and one of our other sisters, Mary, had sent a huge piece of fresh salmon directly from Pike’s Market in Seattle. We were in heaven.

Seasoned with salt and pepper and smeared with grainy mustard, she broiled the fish to perfection. I thought I saw a similar recipe to this mustard maple glazed salmon in one of my February food magazines but couldn’t track it down when I started hunting. Instead, I found this maple-mustard glazed salmon online and couldn’t resist.

Even Mr. Loves his Tuna Casserole sang its praises. That’s a strong endorsement! Served with some sauteed veggies, this made for a light, heart-healthy meal.

Maple Mustard Glazed Salmon on a white square plate.

Recipe Tips

Besides salt and pepper, there are only 5 ingredients in this seafood recipe. So make sure all the components are of good quality.

  • Buy the best salmon you can afford. I prefer wild salmon, which can be pricey when you don’t live on the West Coast. When in season, Sockeye salmon is often on sale. Check with your fishmonger about what is available.
  • PRO-Tip: Make sure to use real maple syrup. A “maple” syrup with artificial flavorings (like Log Cabin) will not do this salmon recipe justice. I find it at a reasonable price at Trader Joe’s. Make sure to check the label
  • Keep in mind how you like salmon prepared, whether medium-rare to medium. Overcooking salmon will make it dry. I prefer the center to be slightly translucent. See the bottom photo.
  • The USDA recommends salmon be cooked to 145º. But most high-end restaurants will recommend medium-rare, which is 125º or even less. Cook your salmon how you like to eat it and at the temperature with which you’re comfortable. If you’re immunosuppressed, medium-rare may not be for you!
  • PRO-Tip: Keep the skin on the salmon while roasting. This will help the fillet keep its integrity and not fall apart. 
  • PRO-Tip: I’ll often pop the salmon under the broiler for just a minute or two after roasting. This will help brown/caramelize the tops, but watch carefully as the sugar in the glaze will burn if it’s broiled too long.

Health Benefits of Eating Salmon

When my dear foodie friend, Kim, from the wickedly funny blog, Cravings of a Lunatic, approached me about sharing a post for Recipes from the Heart, I happily agreed. To honor her mother, who passed away from heart disease in the prime of her life, she requested a heart-healthy recipe.

As a nurse, and wife of a guy dedicated to “fixing” hearts, it wasn’t hard to come up with a delicious, nutritious dish to share.

  • Salmon is well known to have cardiovascular benefits. The Omega-3 fatty acids in salmon are instrumental in lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides.
  • Plus, there is also evidence that these fatty acids can slightly decrease blood pressure, lower heart rate, decrease arrhythmias, and even curb plaque build-up in blood vessels.
  • Salmon is high in protein which helps maintain muscle mass as well as heal and repair injured tissue. 
  • If you have any of these ailments, you will still need to continue your prescribed medications, but you could benefit from adding salmon or other foods with Omega-3 fatty acids into your diet. You might also enjoy this Paleo Roasted Salmon Recipe!
Maple Mustard Glazed Salmon with the center exposed on a white plate topped with fresh thyme.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Grill This Salmon Instead of Roasting?

Yes, grilling will add delicious smoky undertones. Be cautious since the glaze contains maple syrup, it may flare up if you use a charcoal grill.

How Do You Know When Your Salmon is Done?

Use a meat thermometer and insert it into the middle of the salmon. Medium rare will still be opaque in the middle and register 125º, which is below what the FDA recommends. If you buy fresh salmon from a reputable fishmonger, you should be OK. If you’re immune compromised, it’s best to cook your salmon to 145º.

What Should You Look for When Buying Fresh Salmon?

Make sure it doesn’t smell overly fishy as that is a sign the fish is old. The flesh should be light to dark pink without any gray or brown areas which can also indicate the fish is past its prime.

More Healthy Recipes You’ll Love

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Maple Mustard Glazed Salmon fillets on a white serving tray
The Recipe:

Mustard Maple Salmon Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Yield 4 servings

A delightfully delicious, heart-healthy salmon recipe!

5.0 Stars (55 Reviews)

Ingredients

  • ⅓ cup real maple syrup
  • 3 tablespoons whole grain mustard
  • 1 teaspoon cider vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 pounds fresh salmon, skin on

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425º.
  2. Make the glaze by cooking maple syrup, mustard, vinegar, and thyme till simmers. Add salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat.
  3. Dry salmon with paper towels and place, skin side down, on an oiled grill pan.
  4. Season with salt and pepper then brush with glaze.
  5. Cook for about 10 minutes, brush with remaining glaze, and cook for another 5 minutes or till done to your liking.
  6. Transfer to a serving dish.

Notes

Adapted from CHOW.com.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1 fillet
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 544Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 143mgSodium: 342mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 0gSugar: 16gProtein: 51g

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© Liz Berg
Cuisine: American / Category: Seafood Recipes
A close up of roasted Salmon on a foil lined baking sheet

Photo circa 2013, when this recipe was first published.