Yes, I first posted this recipe almost 10 years and YES I still make it almost weekly because it’s quick, easy, and absolutely delicious every time.
What I really love about salmon is that it feels like a fancy date night meal. In reality, salmon takes about 20 minutes to bake and can be seasoned or marinated in whatever your heart desires. This spicy maple salmon is FABULOUS because it is both sweet and a little bit spicy. There’s also a little tang from dijon mustard and soy sauce, which helps bring all of the flavors together beautifully.
Keep this recipe in your back pocket for whenever you’re looking to impress a loved one (or just enjoy a really good dinner) and check out all of my favorite ways to serve it below!
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First, choose your salmon
If you haven’t made salmon before, then I suggest you try to incorporate it into your diet more. You might already know this, but it’s a wonderful source of healthy fats, omega-3, and protein. It’s also incredibly versatile and easier to cook than you think!
You can choose wild or farmed salmon for this recipe:
- Farm-raised salmon tends to be milder in flavor and more fatty/buttery in texture.
- Wild salmon can be a little pricier but is leaner, pinker, and higher in minerals such zinc and iron. Both are delicious!
The perfect spicy maple salmon glaze
This flavorful, spicy maple glaze is SO easy to make and will take your regular salmon fillets to the next level. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
- Maple syrup: for the perfect amount of sweetness and maple flavor.
- Soy sauce: I love the salty, savory flavor that soy sauce adds. I recommend using a low sodium soy sauce so that the salmon isn’t overly salty (you can always add more salt!)
- Mustard: a little dijon mustard adds a necessary tang.
- Herbs & spices: we’re finishing off the marinade with chili powder, fresh garlic, and cayenne pepper for a kick of heat.
Not into spicy?
Feel free to reduce or omit the cayenne pepper to make your salmon less spicy, and be sure to use a mild chili powder like McCormick.
How to bake perfect maple salmon
- Prep your pan. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and add your salmon skin side down to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Add the glaze. Mix together the glaze ingredients, set a tablespoon of the glaze aside, and then brush the rest over the salmon.
- Bake your salmon. For every inch of thickness, bake the salmon for 15 minutes. My salmon is usually perfect around 16-18 minutes.
- Glaze again & serve. Once the salmon is done, add the remaining glaze and serve!
Can I grill the salmon?
Of course! Get all of my tips and tricks for grilling salmon here and enjoy it on the grill all year long.
Storing leftover salmon
If you happen to have salmon left over, simply place it in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Delicious recipes to serve with maple salmon
- Cashew Crunch Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad
- How to Make My Favorite Coconut Rice
- One Pot Moroccan Chickpea Quinoa Salad
- Maple Glazed Carrots with Goat Cheese & Pistachios
- Crispy Broccoli Sweet and Spicy Sesame Tahini Noodles
- Vegan Curried Broccoli Chickpea Salad
- Brussels Sprouts Kale Honeycrisp Apple Salad with Maple Cider Dressing
Get all of my side dish recipes here!
More seafood recipes you’ll love
- Honey Lemon Garlic Salmon
- Damn Good Salmon Taco Bowls For Two
- Homemade Crispy Baked Fish Sticks (kid & toddler-friendly!)
- Blackened Salmon Tacos with Forbidden Rice & Mango Guacamole
- Buffalo Tuna Melt Stuffed Peppers
Get all of my seafood recipes here!
I hope you love this spicy maple salmon recipe! If you make it be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Enjoy, xo!
Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day
Spicy Maple Glazed Salmon for Two!
Ingredients
- 2 - 6 oz wild salmon filets (12 oz total)
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 garlic clove, minced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the glaze from burning. Place salmon filets 2 inches apart on parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, whisk together maple syrup, soy sauce, dijon mustard, chili powder, cayenne pepper and garlic. Pour or generously brush the glaze over the salmon, reserving 1 tablespoon for glazing once salmon is done. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until salmon is done and flakes with a fork. For every inch of salmon filet thickness, you’ll need to bake for 15 minutes. Usually 18 minutes is perfect for me.
- Once salmon is done baking, remove from oven and pour remaining glaze on top. Enjoy! Serves 2.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published on November 10th, 2016, and republished on February 3rd, 2025.
This sounds delicious! Now I just need to get my boyfriend to like fish 😉 He will learn some day lol.
Perfect timing! Salmon is on the menu for dinner tonight and I was just looking on Pinterest for a different glaze to try…..thanks!
This sounds delicious and seems super easy. I can always use new ways to cook salmon!
YUM! Salmon is my fave!
This spicy maple glaze sounds incredible! I love salmon, so this will definitely be on my dinner menu soon!
I can’t wait to read about your experiences in Israel. It has long been somewhere I’ve wanted to go and, for now, I will live vicariously through your travels. 🙂 As for the salmon – right up my alley!
Yum!! I usually do something similar with honey instead of maple:) Maple would be a fun and delicious variation! Fish in general makes the best weeknight meals – so so fast! This recipe is making me want to bake up some salmon this week!!
Just made this – SO good! This is actually the only way I’ve ever liked salmon, so thanks! 🙂
This makes me so happy!!! 🙂
Tried this last night and it was a hit! My husband can be a bit hesitant about fish, but gave it enthusiastic approval. It’s a definite future repeat.
Made this last night! It was my first time cooking salmon and it came out perfectly and it was delicious! I made it just for myself and ate the second piece for lunch. Literally the easiest and yummiest recipe. I will definitely be eating a lot more salmon in the new year!
So happy you enjoyed it, Britt!
Haha. I woke up down today. You’ve cheered me up!
Do a TON of salmon here at the casa in North Texas. The spouse is a transplanted east coast person and VERY fussy about how her salmon is prepared. I suspect this will be an awesome add to the repetoire, especially when paired with sesame roast asparagus. My first date with her I made the WORST asparagus ever – we still laugh about it and it inspired a lifelong mission to make asparagus that makes up for that date. Thanks for sharing! Got anything intriguing to share on the key lime pie front?
My husband and I both LOVE this marinade; I’m printing it out for safe keeping 🙂 So great too that it just uses normal pantry items so it’s easy to whip up when we don’t have anything planned.
should I remove the skin?
You can cook it with the skin on for extra moisture!
Shazam, as one who loves to cook and absolutely LOVES salmon, no matter how it is prepared, and try to cook it once a week, this will definitely be served and enjoyed very soon.
Amazing! Enjoy 🙂
So tasty, and so wonderfully easy! I had this with Brussels sprouts sauteed in butter and soy sauce, and sweet potato fries. I usually do salmon as a weekend night dinner because I’ve always considered it to be “fancier,” but really I could easily whip this up on a weeknight much more quickly than some of the other dishes I make. I have yet to be disappointed by any of your salmon recipes!
Perfect! Salmon is one of those “fancy” feeling dinners that are actually super easy 🙂 So glad you’re loving them!
Is there anything that you recommend in replacement of the soy sauce?
You could use coconut aminos instead!
Tried with Tofu was quite tasty.
Love that idea!
Wish I could pin this recipe (Pinterest) and save it for later, but your website is blocking pin accessibility.
Hi Lindsay – we’re working on a fix for the Pinterest buttons. Apologies for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience!
I find the skin very off-putting. I have never cooked salmon. Will the salmon be dry if I use skinless salmon? Is there a way to prevent that ?
After you cook the salmon with the skin it will flake right off – easy! 🙂
Monique, I don’t know how I ever stumbled upon your website/blog, but I am so glad I did. We made this salmon tonight for dinner and it was AMAZING! I am making the chicken meatballs in peanut butter sauce tomorrow and already made your lightened up carrot cake for dessert tomorrow night. I have enjoyed cooking most of my life, but grew up a “southern girl” which meant cooking fried, cheesy and buttery laden foods. You have helped show me that I can eat food that is not only healthy but also delicious! Thank you, for sharing your life, joy and wonderful kindness with us all. ❤
Hi Jenn! Thanks so much for your note. I’m so happy you found AK! Hope you find some new recipes that you love (promise they’ll all be delicious first, healthy second 😉 ).
Monique!!!! You have done it again. This was delicious 😋
Thanks Lisa!! Glad you enjoyed 🙂
So easy to make this exquisite dinner for two!
I’ve made this a handful of times now. So easy, quick, and delicious!
Absolutely! Glad you like it!
Very easy and great tasting recipes. I am not the greatest cook. Thank you!
So glad you’re finding recipes here that you love!
I’m trying to picture this. 1 T maple syrup, 1 T soy sauce, a few tsp other…. but generously brush the glaze while reserving 2 T? Isn’t it only a smidge over 2T total?
Hi Julie! Thanks for the catch here – I’ve updated the recipe to reserving 1 T. Enjoy!
This is the most wonderful and easy salmon recipe I have ever made and my go-to. I’ll keep making this time and time again! Thank you!!!
So happy you loved it!
Spiced Maple Glazed Salmon
Followed the directions it was perfect
Husband said you can definitely cook it again
So happy to hear that, Liz!
Delicious! Monique does it again. The entire family loved it, even my dad who can be picky with fish. Sweet with a bit of a kick from the cayenne. This is my new go-to salmon recipe.
Amazing! I’m so glad 🙂
Love this recipe and make it a couple of times a month. The marinade is tasty, quick to make and cook, and the salmon tastes great both when hot and for leftovers the next day. My cooking preference is a bit shorter though, but other than that, the recipe is perfect – clear and easy to follow. Goes great with the kale-Brussels sprouts salad as well!
Absolutely! Great idea to serve with a kale & brussels salad 🙂
This is hands down one of my favorite salmon recipes. It only requires a handful of ingredients, and gives the salmon the perfect punch of flavor! I throw in a bit of cayenne better to kick it up a notch.
So happy to hear that! Always love a little extra heat 🙂
This is the most delicious salmon recipe!! My husband made this for me for my birthday dinner. Absolute healthy heaven!
So happy to hear that!
This maple sauce is amazing! A great flavoring for salmon. For our sides we baked carrots with some of the sauce drizzled on and goat cheese (a rendition of your maple glazed carrots.) We also air-fried some sweet potato fries. A wonderful and light meal. Thank you!
Perfect! That sounds absolutely delicious 🙂
This is definitely a staple for me. I love this recipe! Really easy to make a little extra sauce and use the extra on brussel sprouts too.
Love that idea!!
This is now my “Go-To” Salmon recipe! So quick, easy and obviously delicious. I always overcook my salmon, but the 18 minute cook time suggestion was spot on! So happy I found this recipe! Thank you!
Love it! Glad you found this one!
Healthy and tasty recipe that’s perfect for midweek dining. Goes well with the kale /Brussels salad on this website. Has become a regular go-to recipe in my house
Love that combo! Great idea 🙂
I’m thinking about using this marinade and tossing shrimp in it. Has anyone tried this?
That would be delicious!
This salmon I s delicious! So quick and easy
This was really good! Do you ever use the sauce for anything else, like a stir fry or something?
It makes a great marinade/glaze for your fav proteins and would be delicious with stir fry! 🙂
Like every other recipe I’ve made from Monique, this is amazing!
So glad you loved this one!
Very good and easy.
Glad you enjoyed!
Simple way to switch up our salmon dinner nights. Didn’t have low sodium soy, but using regular didn’t make the dish over salty—I think it’s a fine substitute. I would maybe add a touch more maple syrup next time. Cooked about 18 min and was cooked perfectly medium. Definitely making this again and sharing with friends!
So glad that you enjoyed it! 🙂
Perfect salmon with perfect seasonings. Made this for our anniversary and we both said it was better than a restaurant!
Oh YAY I’m so happy you loved it, Meghan! Happy anniversary 🙂
So yummy.
Also made a kid friendly/allergy friendly version with tamari and no chilli and it was devoured by all! Leftovers were great the next day with salad too.
I’m happy you enjoyed it, Prue! And yes, I love making a little extra for lunch the next day 🙂
This is the perfect go to for easy but tasty week day’s dinner!
I’ve made this recipe soo many times and it’s still one of my favorite ways to cook salmon. I’ve made up a double or triple batch of the glaze before and kept it in the fridge, as part of my meal prep for the week. That way I just thaw a fillet or two, pour on the glaze, and bake. Super flavorful and easy. If you’re not a huge fan of spicy foods, just cut back or cut out the cayenne.
As a full time single working person, I’m always on the lookout for interesting and healthy meal ideas that don’t require 3 hours in the kitchen. This was so quick, easy and delicious. The combination of flavors was great but I did cut the cayenne in half as I don’t like super spicy food. For me it was just right. I served it with Jasmine rice and steamed broccoli. I wouldn’t hesitate to feed this to dinner guests!
I’m so glad to hear you loved this recipe, Kathy!! I’m all about those easy, flavorful meals, too 🙂
In the past, I haven’t enjoyed sweet glazes on salmon. But this was 10/10! It might just be my favorite salmon recipe I’ve ever tried.
Omg YAY that’s so great to hear! 🙂
This is my go-to salmon recipe. I make this at least a couple times a month. So delicious.
YAY I’m thrilled you love it, Jennifer! Thanks 🙂
Hi! Can this recipe be modified for a whole file of salmon?
Absolutely! Depends on the size of filet; this recipe is for 12 oz. so you can convert the rest of the ingredients based on how many ounces your filet is 🙂
Easy to prepare, staple ingredients, and DELCIOUS! This will be in our regular rotation going forward!
Yay!! SO glad you loved this one 🙂
Have you tried making these in the air fryer? I’d love it give it a try.
I have not, but if you give it a try, let me know how it works out.
So easy. So so good.
Thank you so much!
I’m always looking for new recipes, glad I’ve found this site because everything looks yummy!
So simple and delicious! This is my new go to salmon recipe and its also the easiest and most flavorful one! And my super picky family loves it as well! Thank you again for such great recipes!
Absolutely! So glad you found this one and everyone is loving it ❤️🙂
Im a big fan of salmon, I followed your recipe and the result is great. Thanks for share!!!
The best recipe I ever tried!!!!
Our favorite Salmon recipe
This has become a go-to dinner recipe in the past few months. I particularly fell in love with the Instagram post recipe – the spicy maple salmon and broccoli en Papillote – and it’s been a staple when I need a quick and healthy dinner that requires very minimal effort. It’s so easy and effortless and yet still feels like a solid date night dinner for my boyfriend and I.
YAY! I am so glad you are both loving this recipe. Nothing better than a quick and easy, minimal effort dinner that is delicious ❤️ Appreciate your comment!
I love this glaze. I’ve used this recipe at least 50 times and it never disappoints. Sometimes I make a big batch of the glaze and keep it in my fridge until I’m ready to use it. It’s a good balance between spicy and sweet, and is super flavorful. I like the spice, but if it’s too much for you just cut back the cayenne.
Amazing! That’s a great idea to make a double batch 🙂
I try different recipes all the time, never the same thing twice- HOWEVER I will have to prioritize this. Excellent flavor, and texture- I left the Cayenne pepper out and used coconut aminos and it was still delicious! Best salmon recipe in a long time. I stopped making Salmon because I couldn’t find a recipe. Cheers to more salmon in 2024!
Amazing! So glad you found new go-to!
The best salmon recipe! I’ve been making it for years, even my kids are into it
Super quick and flavorful recipe – easy enough for a weeknight but impressive enough to serve guests. I went even a bit lazier and used garlic powder so this involved zero chopping or washing extra things. One bowl, one baking pan, and a measuring spoon – loved it. Thank you!
Perfect! Glad you enjoyed!
I don’t like salmon, but I followed this recipe to make it for my husband who does, and he LOVED it so much!! I will definitely make this again as a treat for him 🙂
Amazing! So glad he loved it!
I have made spicy maple salmon for a few years now. It is so easy and delicious. I have this a couple times a month. Thank you for this recipe!
So good! Glad you love it!
So simple, yet so delicious!
Absolutely!
Excellent marinade! Was thinking that the spices listed might make the salmon very hot but it really turned out to be perfect for us who are okay with milder spice but don’t tolerate heat very well. Will be making it often. Thank you
Absolutely! Glad you enjoyed 🙂
Wonderful marinade! Will be making it regularly..Thanks
Glad you enjoyed!