Baked Salmon · Maple Dijon
Maple Dijon Baked Salmon
A sweet and tangy glaze of maple syrup and two mustards bakes onto salmon in a hot oven. Five minutes of prep, about 12 in the oven.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 13 min
- Total
- 20 min
- Serves
- 4
- Level
- Easy
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets, about 6 oz each, 1 inch thick
- ½ tsp kosher salt
Swaps for kosher salt
Instead of salt
- Table salt or fine sea salt: About half as much as Diamond Crystal kosher, about ¾ as much as Morton kosher. The same saltiness when measured this way.
- Salt by weight: 1 tsp is about 6 grams of table salt, 5 grams of Morton kosher, 3 grams of Diamond Crystal kosher. The most reliable way to swap, especially in baking and brines.
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp dijon mustard
Swaps for dijon mustard
Instead of mustard
- Another prepared mustard: The same amount. Yellow is milder and more vinegary; Dijon is sharper; whole-grain adds texture; spicy brown is in between.
- Dry mustard: 1 tsp dry mustard + 1 tsp water + 1 tsp white wine vinegar for each 1 tbsp. Sharper and less smooth.
- 1 tbsp whole-grain mustard (optional)
Swaps for whole-grain mustard
Instead of mustard
- Another prepared mustard: The same amount. Yellow is milder and more vinegary; Dijon is sharper; whole-grain adds texture; spicy brown is in between.
- Dry mustard: 1 tsp dry mustard + 1 tsp water + 1 tsp white wine vinegar for each 1 tbsp. Sharper and less smooth.
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
Swaps for maple syrup
Instead of maple syrup
- Honey: The same amount. Thicker and sweeter, browns faster, and it isn't vegan.
- Agave syrup: The same amount. Sweeter, with no maple taste.
- Pancake syrup: The same amount. Sweeter and flatter in flavor (it is mostly corn syrup); fine on pancakes, not great in baking or glazes.
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Swaps for olive oil
Instead of olive oil
- Avocado oil or another neutral oil: The same amount. No olive flavor; avocado oil handles higher heat.
- Butter: The same amount. Richer and nutty when browned.
- A neutral oil + more seasoning: The same amount. Dressings lose the fruity, peppery note; a little extra lemon, garlic or mustard makes up for it.
- 1 clove garlic, finely grated
Swaps for garlic
Instead of garlic
- Garlic powder: ⅛ tsp for each clove. Mellower and sweeter, with no bite.
- Jarred minced garlic: ½ tsp for each clove. Milder and slightly sour from the preserving liquid.
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Swaps for lemon juice
Instead of lemon juice
- Lime juice: The same amount. A different, more floral aroma; works almost everywhere.
- Bottled lemon juice: The same amount. More sour and flatter; fine in cooking and baking, less bright in dressings and drinks.
- White wine vinegar or white vinegar: Half as much. Sharper, with no citrus aroma.
- 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
Swaps for fresh chives
Instead of chives
- Dried chives: 1 tsp dried for each 1 tbsp chopped fresh (a third as much). Freeze-dried chives keep color but little flavor; use them only as a garnish.
- Green onion tops: The same amount, sliced thin. Stronger and crunchier.
Cooking for a crowd? Pans, timing and salt for 12 to 50.
Missing something? Tap Swaps next to an ingredient, or see all substitutions.
Cook to 145°F inside (check with a thermometer).
Steps
- Heat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and425°Fa sheet pan with parchment.
line (how to line a pan)
Line a pan Cover the bottom (and sometimes sides) of a pan with parchment or foil so food doesn't stick and lifts out easily. 1. For a sheet pan, tear parchment the size of the pan and lay it flat.2. For a round cake pan, trace the bottom on parchment, cut the circle out and press it in.3. For brownies and bars, leave two long sides hanging over to make handles (a "sling").4. A little grease under the paper holds it in place. Done when: The paper lies flat with no folds where the batter could run under it. How to line a baking pan with parchment: mistakes to avoid - Pat the salmon dry and set it on the pan skin side down, with space between the fillets.with salt and pepper.
Season (how to season to taste)
Season to taste Add salt (and pepper or acid) bit by bit, tasting as you go, until the food tastes fully of itself. 1. Season meat and vegetables before cooking, holding the salt high so it falls evenly.2. Taste the dish near the end with a clean spoon.3. If it tastes flat, add a pinch of salt, stir and taste again.4. If it tastes heavy or dull, a squeeze of lemon or a splash of vinegar brightens it.5. Stop when another pinch wouldn't make it better. Done when: The flavors are clear and bright, not flat and not salty. Safety: Don't taste dishes that hold raw meat, poultry or eggs; season them by the recipe's amounts and adjust after cooking.How to season to taste: mistakes to avoid - In a small bowl,the dijon, whole-grain mustard if using, maple syrup, oil, garlic and lemon juice.
whisk (how to whisk)
Whisk Beat ingredients with a whisk to mix them smoothly or to add air. 1. Use a bowl big enough to whisk without splashing; set it on a damp towel to stop it spinning.2. Hold the whisk loosely and move it in quick circles or side to side, touching the bottom.3. For lumpy mixtures, add liquid a little at a time and whisk after each.4. For sauces on the stove, keep the whisk moving across the whole bottom of the pan. Done when: The mixture is even with no lumps or streaks of egg. How to whisk: mistakes to avoid - Spoon the glaze over the tops and sides of the fillets.
- Bake until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and reaches 145°F (63°C) in the thickest part.425°F⏱ Bake: 12 min
- Sprinkle with chives and serve.
Tap an underlined word for how to do it, or see all techniques.
Tips
- Thinner fillets cook faster. Start checking at 9 minutes.
- Most dijon mustards are gluten-free, but check the label if that matters to you.
Storage
Refrigerate within 2 hours, up to 2 days. Good cold over greens.
How long leftovers keep, and freezing and reheating: leftovers and storage.
Quick answers
- What can I swap?
- Instead of mustard: Another prepared mustard, the same amount.
- Instead of maple syrup: Honey, the same amount.
Answered from this recipe's own storage, make-ahead and swap notes.
Estimated nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 420 1,760 kJ
- Protein
- 35 g
- Carbohydrates
- 8 g
- Fiber
- 0 g
- Sugars
- 6 g
- Fat
- 26 g
- Saturated fat
- 6 g
- Sodium
- 410 mg
Whole recipe, 4 servings: about 1,660 calories.
Estimate from USDA FoodData Central; not medical or dietary advice. Based on 9 of 9 ingredients.
How we estimate
We add up USDA FoodData Central values for each measured ingredient as written and divide by the recipe's 4 servings, so changing the servings or units here doesn't change a serving. Brands, swaps, trimming and cooking all change the real numbers.
Not counted: whole-grain mustard (optional).
Estimated cost
About $4.55 a serving
About $18.25 for the recipe as written (4 servings).
Estimate; prices vary by store and region. U.S. average prices for September 2026 from USDA ERS Purchase to Plate prices updated with the BLS Consumer Price Index. Priced: 6 of 9 ingredients, 95% by weight.
How we estimate
Each measured ingredient is weighed as in the nutrition estimate and priced at the U.S. average: BLS's average price where BLS publishes one, else USDA ERS's Purchase to Plate price for 2017-18 raised to September 2026 with the CPI for that food group. Whole packages, store brands, sales and regions all change the real cost: treat it as a ballpark.
- salmon fillets $17.50 ERS
- fresh chives $0.20 ERS
- dijon mustard $0.20 ERS
- olive oil $0.20 ERS
- garlic $0.05 ERS
- lemon juice $0.05 ERS
Not priced (no official average price we can match, so not in the total): kosher salt, black pepper, maple syrup.
Not counted: whole-grain mustard (optional, or to taste).
More dishes for less: cheap eats.
Goes well with
Picked by our pairing rules: the same kind of kitchen, room in the oven and on the stove, ready in time, and a balance of starch, vegetables and richness.
- Side No-Knead Crusty Dutch Oven Bread 15 hr Shares the 425°F oven with the baked salmon. Make it ahead: it keeps. Brings the starch the baked salmon doesn't have.
- Side Crispy Parmesan Lemon Roasted Broccoli 30 min Shares the 425°F oven with the baked salmon. Ready in 30 min, inside the main's 20 min. Brings the vegetables the baked salmon doesn't have.
- Dessert One-Bowl Chocolate Sheet Cake with Fudgy Frosting 2 hr 25 min Make it ahead, so it's ready when dinner is.
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Gear for this recipe
- See price on Amazon: Half sheet pan (opens Amazon)
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Cleanup score 4/5 (easy cleanup): 2 things to wash, sheet pan, mixing bowl. More sheet-pan recipes.
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