BALSAMIC GLAZED SALMON

LEEZA JOHAN

This Balsamic Glazed Salmon recipe is a quick, healthy, and incredibly flavorful dinner option. Flaky salmon fillets are pan-seared and then basted in a rich, sweet, and tangy balsamic reduction. With only a few ingredients and less than 20 minutes of cook time, it's perfect for busy weeknights!

This Balsamic Glazed Salmon recipe is a quick, healthy, and incredibly flavorful dinner option. Flaky salmon fillets are pan-seared and then basted in a rich, sweet, and tangy balsamic reduction. With only a few ingredients and less than 20 minutes of cook time, it's perfect for busy weeknights! Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 12 minutes Total time: 17 minutes Servings: 2 Ingredients: 2 (6-ounce) salmon fillets, skin-on or skinless (about 1-inch thick) 1 tablespoon olive oil Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1 clove garlic, minced Garnish: Chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds Instructions: 1. Prepare the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture helps create a better sear. Season both sides of the salmon generously with salt and pepper. 2. Make the Balsamic Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), Dijon mustard, and minced garlic until well combined. Set aside. 3. Sear the Salmon: Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully place the salmon fillets in the pan (if skin-on, place them skin-side down first). Cook the salmon undisturbed for 4-5 minutes, until a deep golden-brown crust forms. The salmon should easily release from the pan when it’s ready to flip. 4. Add the Glaze and Finish: Carefully flip the salmon fillets to the other side. Pour the prepared balsamic glaze into the pan, around and over the salmon. Bring the glaze to a simmer. Use a spoon to continuously baste the salmon with the glaze as it cooks and the sauce thickens and reduces. This will take another 3-5 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets. The salmon is cooked through when it is opaque and flakes easily with a fork, and the glaze is thick and glossy, coating the back of a spoon. Be careful not to overcook. 5. Serve and Garnish: Remove the skillet from the heat. Carefully transfer the salmon fillets to plates. Pour any remaining thickened glaze from the pan over the top of the salmon. Immediately garnish with fresh chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds for crunch and color, as seen in the photo! Recipe Tips & Variations: Don't have a skillet? You can bake the salmon. Place the seasoned salmon on a foil-lined baking sheet. Pour the glaze over the fish. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and the glaze is bubbly. You can also broil it for the last 1-2 minutes for a darker glaze. Glaze Thicken-ness: If your glaze isn't thickening as much as you'd like, you can remove the salmon from the pan and let the sauce simmer for an additional 1-2 minutes to reduce further. Serving Suggestions: This salmon pairs beautifully with roasted asparagus, green beans, steamed broccoli, or served over a bed of quinoa, brown rice, or a fresh side salad. Balsamic Tip: Use a good quality balsamic vinegar for the best flavor. A slightly aged balsamic will yield a richer, sweeter, and less acidic glaze. For a spicier kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the balsamic glaze before whisking.

Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 12 minutes Total time: 17 minutes Servings: 2

Ingredients:

  • 2 (6-ounce) salmon fillets, skin-on or skinless (about 1-inch thick)

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup

  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

  • 1 clove garlic, minced

  • Garnish: Chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Salmon:

  • Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture helps create a better sear.

  • Season both sides of the salmon generously with salt and pepper.

2. Make the Balsamic Glaze:

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), Dijon mustard, and minced garlic until well combined. Set aside.

3. Sear the Salmon:

  • Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat.

  • Once the oil is shimmering, carefully place the salmon fillets in the pan (if skin-on, place them skin-side down first).

  • Cook the salmon undisturbed for 4-5 minutes, until a deep golden-brown crust forms. The salmon should easily release from the pan when it’s ready to flip.

4. Add the Glaze and Finish:

  • Carefully flip the salmon fillets to the other side.

  • Pour the prepared balsamic glaze into the pan, around and over the salmon.

  • Bring the glaze to a simmer. Use a spoon to continuously baste the salmon with the glaze as it cooks and the sauce thickens and reduces. This will take another 3-5 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets.

  • The salmon is cooked through when it is opaque and flakes easily with a fork, and the glaze is thick and glossy, coating the back of a spoon. Be careful not to overcook.

5. Serve and Garnish:

  • Remove the skillet from the heat. Carefully transfer the salmon fillets to plates.

  • Pour any remaining thickened glaze from the pan over the top of the salmon.

  • Immediately garnish with fresh chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds for crunch and color, as seen in the photo!

Recipe Tips & Variations:

  • Don't have a skillet? You can bake the salmon. Place the seasoned salmon on a foil-lined baking sheet. Pour the glaze over the fish. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and the glaze is bubbly. You can also broil it for the last 1-2 minutes for a darker glaze.

  • Glaze Thicken-ness: If your glaze isn't thickening as much as you'd like, you can remove the salmon from the pan and let the sauce simmer for an additional 1-2 minutes to reduce further.

  • Serving Suggestions: This salmon pairs beautifully with roasted asparagus, green beans, steamed broccoli, or served over a bed of quinoa, brown rice, or a fresh side salad.

  • Balsamic Tip: Use a good quality balsamic vinegar for the best flavor. A slightly aged balsamic will yield a richer, sweeter, and less acidic glaze.

  • For a spicier kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the balsamic glaze before whisking.

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