Maple Pecan Glazed Salmon Recipe
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
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
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the salmon.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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