Honey Mustard Salmon Recipe
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Honey mustard salmon is as gorgeous on your table as it is delicious. The salmon gets perfectly tender and flaky, while the honey mustard glaze adds a sweet, tangy, and slightly smoky flavor to the dish. It’s an easy mix, brush, and bake kind of recipe that’s so easy, you’ll be making it on repeat! It’s dinner made special, without the hassle.
Don’t you just love quick and easy dinners? It’s a bonus if they taste amazing. Enter honey mustard salmon – a dish that’s incredibly easy to make yet tastes like something you’d order at a fancy restaurant! I just love it because it’s simple enough to make for family dinners, but special enough for company. With just a few simple ingredients, this recipe comes together effortlessly, and my family can enjoy a hearty meal in a snap.
Another reason why I’m a fan of honey mustard salmon is because you can enjoy it year-round. It’s a great dish to enjoy for special celebrations, summer parties, and holiday spreads. It’s a fantastic option for a romantic meal for two (with leftovers), or feeding the whole family when grandparents come to town. Truly a versatile dish you can add to your repertoire!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fuss-free prep: No complicated steps here – just prep for 10 minutes, bake for 20, and enjoy a stress-free dinner that’s big on flavor.
- Simple ingredients: Made with simple, easy-to-find ingredients, this recipe is easy to whip up any time.
- Minimal clean-up: One bowl and one pan means minimal fuss and easy clean-up – perfect for when you want an easy, no-mess dinner.
- Epic sauce: You’re only 5 ingredients away from creating the most delicious sauce! The combination of tangy mustard, sweet honey, fresh garlic, smoked paprika, and olive oil creates a bold, flavorful glaze that brings the salmon to life.
- Customizable: Easily make this recipe your own by adjusting the seasoning and sweetness level to suit your taste.
How to Make Honey Mustard Salmon
Honey mustard salmon, in my opinion, is the most delicious take on the classic baked salmon. The flavorful sauce perfectly complements the fish, resulting in a meal that looks and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, when in fact the entire process takes less than 30 minutes! Just make the sauce, brush the salmon, and pop it in the oven to bake to perfection.
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients You Need
- Salmon fillets: Choose fresh, high-quality salmon fillets for the best texture and flavor. I use fresh, but frozen fillets will also work, as long as they’re thawed and dried properly.
- Thyme: Used as a garnish for added visual appeal. Also adds a fresh, earthy note that complements the richness of the salmon.
- Lemon wedges: For serving, so that you can brighten the dish and cut through the richness if preferred.
For the honey mustard sauce:
- Dijon mustard: Provides a tangy base that complements the sweetness of the honey.
- Honey: Sweetens the sauce while enhancing the salmon’s natural flavor.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Helps crisp up the salmon skin beautifully and blend the flavors into a smooth and silky glaze.
- Garlic: Fresh is best for this recipe, but you can use jarred if preferred.
- Smoked paprika: Adds a smoky, slightly spicy flavor to the sauce.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Ready to make this mouthwatering honey mustard salmon? Follow these simple step-by-step instructions for a flawless, flavorful dish that’s as easy to prepare as it is to enjoy. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Mix
Preheat the oven to 400F.
To make the sauce, whisk the Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, garlic, and paprika together in a small bowl.
Step 2: Season
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the salmon, skin side down, in the center. Use a basting brush or the back of a spoon to spread the sauce all over the top of the salmon. Sprinkle the thyme over the sauce.
Step 3: Bake
Bake for 20 minutes, until cooked through. Serve with lemon wedges. Enjoy!
Substitutions
Looking to make this recipe your own or don’t have all the ingredients on hand? No worries! Here are some easy substitutions:
- Lemon wedges: No lemon on hand? Use lime or orange wedges instead.
- Dijon mustard: Substitute Dijon for whole-grain mustard if that’s what you have.
- Honey: If you don’t have honey, maple syrup or simple syrup are good substitutes.
- Smoked paprika: If you prefer to use another spice in place of smoked paprika, ground cumin, chipotle powder, or Italian seasoning are good options.
Variations
Honey mustard salmon is already delicious as is, but it never hurts to switch things up from time to time. Here are some fun variations to try, whether you want to play with flavors or add a personal touch!
- Combine honey with soy sauce for a unique Asian-inspired take on this recipe. My kids love honey-soy salmon!
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the honey mustard sauce for a little heat.
- After baking, coat the salmon in crushed pecans for extra crunch and flavor.
- Melt butter and mix it with garlic and herbs to drizzle over the salmon before serving for added richness.
- Mix fresh herbs like dill, parsley, or basil into the honey mustard sauce for added freshness and flavor.
Expert Tips
- Use good quality salmon: Choose fresh, high-quality salmon – you’ll be able to taste the difference. Wild-caught salmon tends to have a richer taste and firmer texture compared to farm-raised.
- Don’t overcook: Salmon cooks quickly, and overcooking can make it dry, super firm, and chalky. It should still be a little bit rare in the center, as it will continue to cook in residual heat. You’ll know that it’s ready when it flakes easily with a fork, but still looks moist.
- Adjust to taste: Feel free to adjust the taste of the sauce by adding more honey for sweetness or extra mustard for a tangy kick.
- Try it grilled: Honey mustard salmon is equally delicious when grilled. Just place the fillets in a lightly-oiled piece of aluminum foil and cook, covered, in a preheated grill over medium-high heat (about 400 F) for about 12 minutes, then open up the foil and grill for 2-3 minutes more.
How to Store This Recipe
Place leftover salmon in a shallow airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days, even better if wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. To freeze, cool completely and store in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 weeks.
To reheat, pop in the oven at 350 F until warmed through. Instead of reheating, I like to cut leftovers into pieces and add to salad, wrap, or sandwich the next day!
What to Serve with Honey Mustard Salmon
For a simple dinner, enjoy honey mustard salmon on its own or with a side of garlic mashed potatoes, parmesan potatoes, buttered green beans, a scoop of rice, or your favorite green salad. For special celebrations, serve this dish alongside roasted veggies, couscous, or even a creamy risotto.
If you make this honey mustard salmon, please leave a review. I really appreciate each and every 5-star rating and review comment!
Baked Honey Mustard Salmon Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds salmon fillet
- ½ tablespoon thyme
- lemon wedges garnish
For the honey mustard sauce:
- ¼ cup Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 °F.
- Whisk the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the salmon, skin side down, in the center.
- Use a basting brush or the back of a spoon to spread the sauce all over the top of the salmon. Sprinkle the thyme over the sauce.
- Bake for 20 minutes, until cooked through. Serve with lemon wedges.
Notes
- Choose fresh, high-quality salmon for the best flavor and texture. Wild-caught salmon tends to have a richer taste and firmer texture compared to farm-raised.
- Overcooking the salmon can make it super firm, dry, and chalky. You’ll know that it’s ready when it flakes easily with a fork, but still moist.
- Feel free to adjust the taste of the sauce by adding more honey for sweetness or extra mustard for a tangy kick.
- Honey mustard salmon can also be grilled. Just place the fillets in a lightly-oiled piece of aluminum foil and cook, covered, in a preheated grill over medium-high heat (about 400 F) for about 12 minutes, then open up the foil and grill for 2-3 minutes more.
