This balsamic glazed salmon recipe is so flavorful, yet easy to make.
My next-door neighbor brought over a salmon steak from her last fishing trip. The steak was so big that it barely fit in a 13 x 9 pan even once cut up. I decided to cook it for some of my neighbors who serve as my “official taste testers” and wanted to create a special salmon dish for them. On a recent trip to Atlanta, I had a delicious Salmon dish with balsamic glaze at Maggiano’s and was inspired to try copying it for my neighbors.
How to Bake Salmon in the Oven
Place salmon skin side down in a baking dish that has been brushed with olive oil or lined with parchment paper. Season or marinate the salmon. Then cook according to the baking times below.
What Temperature Should You Bake Salmon at?
You can bake salmon at a variety of temperatures, but I prefer to bake salmon at 400 degrees F. At 400 degrees, it only takes 10 – 14 minutes to cook salmon fillets. If you are cooking your fish at the same time as another dish, you can alter the cooking time to match the temperature of the other dish using the guidelines below:
350 degrees F: Bake a 5 – 6 ounce fillet for 15 to 18 minutes and a 1 – 1 1/2 pound side of salmon for 20 to 25 minutes.
375 degrees F: Bake a 5 – 6 ounce fillet for 12 to 16 minutes and a 1 – 1 1/2 pound side of salmon for 18 to 22 minutes.
400 degrees F: Bake a 5 – 6 ounce fillet for 10 to 14 minutes and a 1 – 1 1/2 pound side of salmon for 15 to 18 minutes.
425 degrees F: Bake a 5 – 6 ounce fillet for 9 to 12 minutes and a 1 – 1 1/2 pound side of salmon for 14 to 16 minutes.
450 degrees F: Bake a 5 – 6 ounce fillet for 8 to 10 minutes and a 1 – 1 1/2 pound side of salmon for 11 to 13 minutes.
The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your cut of salmon.
Should I bake my salmon covered or uncovered?
You should leave your salmon uncovered when cooking it.
Should Salmon be Cooked in Foil?
I prefer to cook my salmon in a baking dish with raised sides as it allows the salmon to cook in the marinade which creates a more flavorful fillet. However, if you don’t have a baking dish, you can make a bowl of foil, set your salmon in it and then place the foil bowl on a baking sheet.
What is the White Stuff on Salmon?
When my friend brought me the salmon, I asked her how she knew it was done and she said when you see white stuff on it.
A protein called Albumin is the white stuff you sometimes see seeping out of cooked salmon. It may be unappealing, but it is completely safe to eat.
If you end up with a lot of albumin on your salmon, you can gently scrape off the big bits with the edge of a butter knife before serving. However, you can minimize the amount of albumin that leaches out of the salmon by brining it for 10 minutes in salt water.
How to Brine Salmon
To brine the salmon, place the fish in a dish with sides higher than your salmon. Pour salt water over the salmon until it is covered (Add 1 tablespoon of water to each cup of salmon). Let it sit for 10 minutes. Then remove the fish from the brine and pat it dry. Ensure it is completely dry before marinating it.
Balsamic Glazed Salmon Recipe
Since most of you are not cooking with a huge salmon steak, I am sharing the recipe for 1 pound of salmon. You can double if you wish.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound salmon
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
Directions:
- Combine the balsamic vinegar, honey, and sugar in a small saucepan. Cook over a medium flame until it reaches a boil. Then lower the heat and simmer for an additional 10 minutes until it becomes like a thin syrup.
- Pour half of the glaze over the fish and marinate the salmon in the balsamic glaze for 30 minutes. Reserve the remaining glaze to put on the cooked salmon.
- After marinating cook the salmon at 400 degrees for 10 minutes or until it is cooked through and easily flakes with a fork.
- Serve immediately, with glaze drizzled over the top.
Printable Recipe for Balsamic Glazed Salmon
Salmon with Balsamic Glaze
Ingredients
- 1 pound salmon
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
Instructions
- Combine the balsamic vinegar, honey, and sugar in a small sauce pan. cook over a medium flame until it reaches a boil. Then lower the heat and simmer for an additional 10 minutes or until it becomes like a thin syrup.
- Pour half of the glaze over the salmon and let it marinate for 30 minutes. Reserve the remaining glaze to put on the cooked salmon.
- After marinating the salmon bake it at 400 degrees for 10 minutes or until it is cooked through and easily flakes with a fork.
- Serve immediately, with glaze drizzled over the top.
Kelly says
I LOVE balsamic vinegar! Can’t wait to try this!
Pauline Wiles says
Sounds tasty, sounds easy. I like!