Baked Salmon with Honey Mustard (Printable version)
Tender salmon fillets glazed with sweet-tangy honey mustard sauce, baked until perfectly flaky for a quick healthy dinner.
# Ingredient List:
→ Fish
01 - 4 (6 oz / 170 g each) salmon fillets, skin-on or skinless
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Honey Mustard Glaze
04 - 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
05 - 2 tablespoons honey
06 - 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard (optional, for texture)
07 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
08 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
09 - 1 garlic clove, minced
→ Garnish
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
11 - Lemon wedges, for serving
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly oil it.
02 - Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheet and season with salt and pepper.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, whole grain mustard (if using), lemon juice, olive oil, and minced garlic until smooth.
04 - Spoon or brush the honey mustard glaze evenly over the top of each salmon fillet.
05 - Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the salmon is just cooked through and flakes easily with a fork (internal temperature should reach 145°F/63°C).
06 - Transfer to plates, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve with lemon wedges.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The honey mustard glaze creates this gorgeous caramelized crust that makes everyone think you spent hours in the kitchen, when it actually takes just minutes to throw together.
- Its become my ultimate back-pocket recipe that works equally well for both casual family dinners and those nights when you suddenly have guests to impress.
02 -
- Dont overcook the salmon, as it continues to cook slightly after you take it out of the oven, a lesson I learned after serving regrettably dry fillets to my in-laws years ago.
- The honey in the glaze will caramelize and potentially burn if left under high heat too long, so keep a close eye during those final minutes of cooking.
03 -
- For an incredible flavor boost, let the glazed salmon rest at room temperature for 15 minutes before baking, allowing the fish to absorb some of those amazing flavors before heat is applied.
- When buying salmon, look for fillets of equal thickness to ensure they all cook at the same rate, avoiding the frustration of some pieces being overcooked while others remain underdone.