Half-Sugar Maple Glazed Salmon with Herbed Quinoa
Perfectly seared salmon fillets with a sweet-tangy glaze made using half the typical maple syrup, served over fluffy quinoa infused with fresh dill and parsley. This seafood-inspired seafood (gluten-free) ready in about 30 minutes pairs (6 oz each) Salmon fillets, Maple syrup, Dijon mustard for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 (6 oz each) Salmon fillets
- 1 tbsp Maple syrup
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- 1 tsp Olive oil
- 1/2 cup uncooked Quinoa
- 1 cup Chicken broth
- 1 tbsp chopped Fresh dill
- 1 tbsp chopped Fresh parsley
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place 2 (6 oz each) salmon fillets, skin-side down, on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tsp olive oil, then sprinkle with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, and 1 tbsp lemon juice until smooth.
- Step 3: In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa and 1 cup chicken broth. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
- Step 4: Remove quinoa from heat and stir in 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill and 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
- Step 5: Bake salmon for 12-14 minutes until just opaque in the center and flakes easily. During the last 2 minutes of baking, brush salmon with the maple glaze mixture until caramelized and glossy.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half-Sugar Maple Glazed Salmon with Herbed Quinoa take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Half-Sugar Maple Glazed Salmon with Herbed Quinoa?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (6 oz each) salmon fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Half-Sugar Maple Glazed Salmon with Herbed Quinoa?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Half-Sugar Maple Glazed Salmon with Herbed Quinoa for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Half-Sugar Maple Glazed Salmon with Herbed Quinoa gluten-free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
