Sweet, pure maple syrup mixed with umami soy sauce glazed over delicious fatty, flaky Atlantic salmon baked to perfect tenderness. The addition of garlic and lemon provides a nutty spice and zest counterbalance in flavour. It is an easy, healthy, and quick dish to make any day of the week with your favourite sides!
Rinse & pat dry salmon fillet. Remove bones with a fishbone tweezer (if any are present). Cut into 6 fillets and place into a shallow baking dish.
In a medium bowl, mix together maple syrup, soy sauce, minced garlic, chili flakes (if using), and lemon juice. Taste the marinade & adjust the seasoning to your liking.
Pour marinade over salmon fillets and gently combine everything with your hands. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour. Remove from refrigerator and allow salmon to reach room temperature30 minutesbefore you get started. Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C).
Line a baking tray with aluminum foil and spray it with cooking oil to coat it. Place salmon fillets 2 inches apart on the tray and bake for 15 to20 minutes or until salmon is fully cooked. To check for doneness, use the flat side of a fork to press on top of the salmon gently. If it lightly flakes apart, then it is done. Another way is to check the thickest part of the salmon with a food thermometer. The ideal temperature your cooked salmon should be is between 110°F – 140°F (43°C – 60°C). If it is above 140°F, your salmon is overcooked and dry. Remove the tray from the oven, cover your fish fillets with aluminum foil and allow the salmon to rest for 10 minutes.
Pour excess marinade into a medium saucepan and cook it on medium-high heat for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring often, until it is reduced to a thick sauce.
Glaze the salmon with the cooked sauce and sprinkle a little chopped green onion on top. Serve it on a bed of rice or with your favourite vegetables.
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Notes
How long can I marinate salmon?Since lemon is an acidic ingredient in this recipe, I recommend a minimum of 30 minutes and a maximum of 1½ to 2 hours marinating time, depending on the size of your salmon fillets. Do not exceed this time since the lemon juice will break down the proteins in the fish, and the result will be pretty mushy.Can I use frozen salmon fillets?Of course! Just be sure to thaw salmon in the refrigerator a few hours or overnight before you get started.Is pancake syrup the same as maple syrup?Pancake syrupconsists of artificial maple extract and corn syrup. Pure maple syrup is 100% maple tree sap boiled down to a thicker liquid, so there are no filler or additional ingredients. Therefore, based on the list of ingredients, you will know that they are not the same.