Description
Honey Mustard Salmon brings a zesty, quick dinner solution straight to your table with minimal prep work. Baked to flaky perfection, this dish delivers rich flavor that will make your weeknight meal feel special without complicated cooking techniques.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 salmon fillets
Supporting Flavors:
- ¼ cup Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Combine ¼ cup Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons honey, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice in a medium bowl. Whisk until the ingredients blend smoothly.
- Sprinkle 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon paprika, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper into the mixture. Whisk until the glaze looks completely uniform.
- Use paper towels to thoroughly dry each salmon fillet, removing excess moisture that could prevent proper searing.
- Lightly season both sides of the 4 salmon fillets with additional salt and pepper according to your taste preference.
- Pour 2 tablespoons olive oil into a large skillet. Heat over medium-high heat until the oil starts shimmering and looks slightly rippled.
- Gently place salmon fillets in the hot skillet, positioning skin-side down if your fillets have skin. Sear for exactly 4-5 minutes until the bottom turns golden brown and crispy.
- Carefully flip the salmon fillets and cook for another 3-4 minutes. Ensure the fish reaches an internal temperature of 145F.
- During the final minute of stovetop cooking, brush each fillet generously with the prepared honey mustard glaze. Allow the glaze to caramelize slightly in the pan.
- Transfer the salmon to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread an extra layer of honey mustard glaze across the top of each fillet.
- Slide the baking sheet into a 400F oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the salmon flakes easily with a fork.
- For deeper caramelization, switch your oven to broil. Broil the salmon for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Remove from the oven and let the salmon rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and lemon wedges if desired.
Notes
- Pat salmon fillets completely dry before cooking to ensure a beautiful golden-brown sear and prevent steaming.
- Adjust the cooking time based on the thickness of your salmon fillets, checking for doneness by flaking with a fork.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free Dijon mustard and verify all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Swap honey with maple syrup for a vegan alternative when using a plant-based salmon substitute.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 17-22 minutes
- Category: Salmon
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 365 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg