This Maple Ginger Baked Salmon is tangy, sweet, and baked to perfection. The maple-ginger glaze enhances the natural richness of the salmon while keeping the fish moist and flaky. This easy recipe takes only minutes to prepare and about 8 minutes to broil, making it ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or an impressive yet simple meal for guests.
How to Bake Salmon
This easy baked salmon method will help you get that restaurant-quality, perfectly flaky texture at home. The recipe relies on two simple steps to ensure success:
Step 1
Pat the salmon dry with paper towels before seasoning or saucing. Removing surface moisture allows the glaze to adhere better and helps the fish brown slightly under the broiler, while still staying juicy inside.
Step 2
Cook the salmon under the broiler on high for about 8 minutes. Broiling may seem intimidating, but when watched closely, it produces a crisp top and tender interior in under ten minutes. The fish will not catch fire if you keep an eye on it—check at the 6–8 minute mark depending on your broiler and thickness of the fillets.
Serving suggestions: pair this maple ginger salmon with a simple Asian-style salad, roasted vegetables, steamed rice, or a light quinoa pilaf. A crisp green salad or sautéed greens also complement the sweet and savory glaze nicely.
Maple Glazed Salmon Sauce
The glaze for this salmon is bright, balanced, and made with only a few pantry staples. It’s quick to whisk together and delivers a great mix of sweet and savory flavors.
Key ingredients for the glaze:
- Soy sauce — regular or low-sodium both work. Coconut aminos can be used as a soy-free substitute.
- Maple syrup — 100% pure maple syrup is recommended for the best flavor.
- Fresh grated ginger — fresh ginger adds a punchy, aromatic spice that canned or powdered ginger can’t fully replicate. To prepare, scrape the peel with the edge of a spoon and grate.
Maple Ginger Baked Salmon — Recipe Details
Servings: 2 | Prep: 5 minutes | Cook: 8 minutes | Total: 13 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 salmon fillets (4 oz. each)
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or low-sodium soy sauce / coconut aminos)
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to high broil. Lightly spray or oil an 8×8-inch baking dish (or use a similar-sized pan).
- Pat each salmon fillet dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Place the fillets skin-side down in the prepared baking dish.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, soy sauce, and grated ginger until well combined.
- Pour the glaze over the salmon, making sure each fillet is evenly coated.
- Broil on high for 8 minutes. Broilers can vary; check the fillets at around 6 minutes for doneness. The salmon should flake easily with a fork but remain moist inside.
- Remove from the oven and serve immediately. Suggested accompaniment: Asian-style kale or mixed green salad, steamed rice, or roasted asparagus.
Tips & Notes
- Patting the fish dry is essential — it helps the glaze stick and improves the final texture.
- Adjust broiling time based on fillet thickness and your oven’s intensity. Thicker pieces may need an extra minute or two.
- For a milder glaze, reduce the maple syrup slightly; for a deeper flavor, add a small squeeze of fresh lime or a pinch of chili flakes if you like heat.
- This recipe was updated on March 10, 2019 (original author credited below).
Nutrition (approximate per serving)
Calories: 262 kcal, Carbohydrates: 14 g, Protein: 28 g, Fat: 9 g, Sugar: 12 g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
Author & Related Ideas
Recipe by: Emily Richter
If you enjoy healthy seafood dishes, try pairing this salmon with light salads or other seafood recipes such as shrimp scampi, baked coconut shrimp, kung pao shrimp, or cilantro-lime shrimp bowls. For more salmon variations, consider lemon butter seared salmon, foil-pack salmon with grilled pineapple salsa, honey sriracha salmon, or a chilled salmon salad with Greek yogurt and dill.