Maple Pecan Glazed Salmon Recipe

Introduction

This Maple Pecan Glazed Salmon is a delightful combination of sweet, nutty, and savory flavors that elevate a simple salmon fillet to a restaurant-quality dish. Perfectly baked and topped with a rich maple pecan glaze, it’s an easy yet impressive meal for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 4 (6-8 ounce) center cut salmon filets, or a 1 3/4 pound piece of salmon
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or ghee
• 1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary or 1/4 teaspoon dried
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 2 teaspoons stone ground or Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (for the glaze)
• Fresh rosemary and sliced tangerines, for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Step 2: Prepare the salmon by washing and drying it thoroughly with paper towels. It’s easier to cook with the skin on, which should easily slide off after cooking. Remove any bones with tweezers or needle-nose pliers.
3. Step 3: Season the salmon filets all over with paprika, kosher salt, black pepper, and drizzle with olive oil. Place them in an oven-safe baking dish.
4. Step 4: Bake the salmon in the preheated oven for 15-16 minutes, until the fish flakes easily with a fork and is opaque nearly to the center. For one large piece of salmon, bake for 18-22 minutes. You can use a thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 145°F for perfect doneness.
5. Step 5: While the salmon bakes, make the maple pecan glaze. In a medium skillet over medium heat, toast the chopped pecans in olive oil or ghee, stirring frequently, until fragrant and slightly darker. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
6. Step 6: Add the maple syrup, orange juice, kosher salt, and Dijon mustard to the pecans. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until it reduces slightly and thickens enough to coat a spoon. If the glaze thickens too much after cooling, thin it with a little more maple syrup.
7. Step 7: When the salmon is done, spoon the warm maple pecan glaze over the top. Garnish with fresh rosemary and sliced tangerines if desired.
8. Step 8: Serve immediately and enjoy your flavorful maple pecan glazed salmon!

Tips & Variations

• For a milder glaze, reduce the mustard or use a milder Dijon variety.
• Try using toasted walnuts or almonds instead of pecans for a different nutty flavor.
• If fresh rosemary isn’t available, dried rosemary works well, but add it earlier with the toasting pecans to release its flavor.
• Serve alongside roasted vegetables or a simple green salad to balance the sweetness of the glaze.

Storage

Store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 275°F or in a covered skillet over low heat to prevent drying out. The glaze may thicken when chilled; you can warm it slightly before serving again.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?

Yes, but make sure to fully thaw the salmon and pat it dry before seasoning and baking to ensure even cooking and a nice texture.

Is it necessary to keep the salmon skin on?

Keeping the skin on helps the salmon hold together while cooking and keeps it moist. You can remove the skin after cooking if preferred.

Maple Pecan Glazed Salmon Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 83 reviews

This Maple Pecan Glazed Salmon is a deliciously sweet and savory dish that combines tender, flaky baked salmon with a rich maple pecan glaze. Enhanced with fresh rosemary and a hint of citrus from orange juice, this recipe is perfect for an elegant yet easy weeknight dinner.

• Author: Kai
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 16 minutes
• Total Time: 26 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For Salmon

• 4 (6-8 ounce) center cut salmon filets, or a 1 3/4 pound piece of salmon
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

For Maple Pecan Glaze

• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or ghee
• 1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary or 1/4 teaspoon dried
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 2 teaspoons stone ground or Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

To Garnish

• Fresh rosemary
• Sliced tangerines or oranges

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the salmon.
2. Prep and Season Salmon: Wash the salmon thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels. Leaving the skin on is recommended for easier cooking and removal after baking. Remove any pin bones using needle nose pliers or tweezers. Season the salmon fillets all over with paprika, kosher salt, black pepper, and olive oil. Arrange the fillets in an oven-safe baking dish.
3. Bake Salmon: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-16 minutes for individual fillets until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and is opaque near the center. For one large piece of salmon, bake for 18-22 minutes to ensure thorough cooking. Alternatively, check for doneness with a thermometer aiming for an internal temperature of 145°F.
4. Prepare Maple Pecan Glaze: While the salmon bakes, warm a medium skillet over medium heat. Toast the chopped pecans in olive oil or ghee, stirring frequently until they become fragrant and slightly darker, being careful not to burn them. Add maple syrup, orange juice, kosher salt, Dijon or stone ground mustard, and finely chopped fresh rosemary. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook while stirring occasionally until the glaze thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. If too thick after cooling, thin with additional maple syrup.
5. Glaze and Garnish: Once the salmon is baked, spoon the maple pecan glaze generously over the top. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs and thin slices of tangerines or oranges for a fresh, vibrant touch.
6. Serve: Serve immediately and enjoy the flavorful combination of sweet, savory, and citrus notes with tender baked salmon.

Notes

• Leaving the skin on the salmon helps with cooking and can be easily removed after baking.
• Use fresh rosemary for a more vibrant herb flavor, but dried rosemary works well too.
• Be careful when toasting pecans—stir frequently to avoid burning.
• If your glaze thickens too much after cooling, thinning with a little maple syrup will restore the perfect consistency.
• Internal temperature for fully cooked salmon should reach 145°F for safety and optimal texture.
• Pin bones are easier to remove before cooking with tweezers or needle nose pliers.

Keywords: salmon recipe, maple glazed salmon, baked salmon, pecan glaze, easy seafood dinner, healthy salmon recipe