Pan-Seared Salmon with Maple-Dijon Glaze and Sautéed Spinach
Perfectly seared salmon fillets brushed with a sweet and tangy maple-Dijon glaze, served over garlicky sautéed spinach. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs 6 oz each, skin-on 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 450 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 4 pieces, 6 oz each, skin-on salmon fillets
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 6 cups baby spinach
- 3 cloves, thinly sliced garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk 2 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, and 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice until blended to make the glaze.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Season 4 salmon fillets with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Place salmon skin-side down in the hot skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes until the skin is crisp.
- Step 3: Flip the salmon and brush the tops with half the maple-Dijon glaze. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the salmon is cooked through and glaze is caramelized. Remove salmon and keep warm.
- Step 4: In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp butter. Sauté 3 thinly sliced garlic cloves over medium heat for 1 minute until fragrant. Add 6 cups baby spinach and cook, stirring frequently, until wilted, about 3 minutes. Season with additional salt if desired.
- Step 5: Serve the salmon fillets atop the sautéed spinach, drizzled with the remaining maple-Dijon glaze.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Salmon with Maple-Dijon Glaze and Sautéed Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 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 Pan-Seared Salmon with Maple-Dijon Glaze and Sautéed Spinach?
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 maple syrup from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Salmon with Maple-Dijon Glaze and Sautéed Spinach?
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 Pan-Seared Salmon with Maple-Dijon Glaze and Sautéed Spinach for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Pan-Seared Salmon with Maple-Dijon Glaze and Sautéed Spinach?
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.
