Maple-Glazed Salmon with Roasted Garlic and Herb Quinoa

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Oven-roasted salmon glazed with sweet maple syrup, paired with fluffy quinoa infused with roasted garlic and fresh herbs for a nutritious dinner. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 45 minutes pairs salmon fillets, maple syrup, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 540 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.

★ 4.3 (12 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 35 min Serves 2 American cuisine 540 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Cut the top off 1 garlic bulb to expose cloves, drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast for 30 minutes until soft.
  2. Step 2: While garlic roasts, rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water. Combine quinoa with 2 cups water and 1/2 tsp salt in a saucepan, bring to a boil, then reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
  3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp maple syrup and 1 tbsp soy sauce.
  4. Step 4: Place 2 salmon fillets on a lined baking sheet, brush them evenly with the maple-soy glaze, and season with 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  5. Step 5: Roast salmon in the oven for 12-15 minutes until the glaze is caramelized and salmon flakes easily with a fork.
  6. Step 6: Squeeze the softened roasted garlic cloves from the bulb into a bowl, mash gently, and stir into the cooked quinoa along with 1 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves. Season with 1/2 tsp salt to taste.
  7. Step 7: Serve the maple-glazed salmon over a bed of garlic-herb quinoa for a wholesome meal.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Maple-Glazed Salmon with Roasted Garlic and Herb Quinoa take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (10 min prep + 35 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 Maple-Glazed Salmon with Roasted Garlic and Herb Quinoa?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Maple-Glazed Salmon with Roasted Garlic and Herb 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 Maple-Glazed Salmon with Roasted Garlic and Herb 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.

What goes well with Maple-Glazed Salmon with Roasted Garlic and Herb Quinoa?

American seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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