Pan-Seared Salmon with Maple-Mustard Glaze and Roasted Asparagus
Crisp-skinned salmon pan-seared and finished with a sweet and tangy maple-mustard glaze, served with tender roasted asparagus spears. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 35 minutes pairs (6 oz each) salmon fillets with skin, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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) salmon fillets with skin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 lb asparagus spears, trimmed
- to taste black pepper
- for serving lemon wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss 1 lb trimmed asparagus spears with 1 tbsp olive oil and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 12 minutes until tender crisp.
- Step 2: Pat dry 4 salmon fillets with skin and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Place salmon skin-side down and cook undisturbed for 5-6 minutes until skin is crisp and releases easily from pan.
- Step 4: Flip salmon and cook for 2 minutes while you prepare the glaze.
- Step 5: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp maple syrup, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, and 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves.
- Step 6: Brush glaze over salmon fillets and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until glaze thickens and coats the fish.
- Step 7: Serve salmon immediately with roasted asparagus and lemon wedges on the side.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Salmon with Maple-Mustard Glaze and Roasted Asparagus take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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-Mustard Glaze and Roasted Asparagus?
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 salt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Salmon with Maple-Mustard Glaze and Roasted Asparagus?
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-Mustard Glaze and Roasted Asparagus 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-Mustard Glaze and Roasted Asparagus?
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.
