Description
A quick and easy salmon recipe featuring a maple-Dijon glaze and a crunchy pecan crust. This dish balances sweet, savory, and nutty flavors, ready in under 20 minutes for a healthy weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets (6–7 oz each)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/3 cup pecans, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp fresh chives, snipped
- Lemon wedges (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Fish: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pat the salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels.
- Season Salmon: Place the dried fillets on the baking sheet, drizzle lightly with olive oil, and season generously on all sides with salt and pepper.
- Mix Glaze and Crumble: In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and apple cider vinegar for the glaze. In a separate small bowl, combine the finely chopped pecans, Panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and fresh parsley for the crumble.
- Initial Bake: Bake the seasoned salmon for 8-10 minutes until it begins to turn opaque in the center.
- Glaze and Crust: Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. Brush each fillet with approximately two-thirds of the prepared maple-Dijon glaze. Generously spoon the pecan crumble mixture over the glazed salmon, gently pressing it down to adhere.
- Final Bake and Rest: Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for an additional 5-8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) and the crust is golden brown. Let the salmon rest on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before serving.
- Garnish and Serve: Carefully transfer the finished salmon fillets to individual plates. Drizzle any remaining glaze over the fish, garnish with fresh chives, and serve immediately with lemon wedges, if desired.
Notes
To keep the crust from browning too quickly during the final bake, loosely tent the pan with foil. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator, reheating gently in the oven or air fryer to maintain crispness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg