20 Minute Maple Soy Glazed Salmon
Flaky, flavorful soy glazed salmon fillets with a flavorful soy maple sauce and topped with a cooling avocado cucumber salad. This easy weeknight dinner comes together in just 20 minutes using basic ingredients and has the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and tangy!
You will love this Soy Glazed Salmon
If you're looking for a fast, foolproof and incredibly flavorful salmon recipe, this one's for you. This easy soy glazed salmon is one of my favorite minimal effort weeknight dinners that's super flavorful and satisfying.
The maple syrup and soy reduce to a thick glaze in just a few minutes, adding a rich depth of flavor that perfectly complements the buttery, fresh salmon. It gets topped with a simple avocado, cucumber salad that adds brightness and texture along with a slight toasty, nutty undertone from the sesame.
Best of all? You can get it on the table in just 20 minutes! This is a great way to enjoy flavorful seafood any night of the week!
Want more easy salmon recipes? Try my smoky cedar-planked salmon, this easy slow roasted salmon with citrus, or this Mediterranean-inspired Sicilian style baked salmon.
Why This Recipe Works
- Quick and easy, ready in just 20 minutes with simple ingredients.
- The soy-maple glaze adds sweet, savory, and tangy Asian flavors.
- Oven baking ensures even cooking and a flaky texture.
- A fresh cucumber-avocado topping perfectly balances out the rich salmon.
Soy Salmon Recipe Ingredients
Fresh salmon - Use wild caught salmon or sustainably sourced Atlantic salmon. Frozen options work really well too and are often fresher than what's in the seafood case at the grocery store. Just be sure to defrost it slowly overnight or in a bowl of cold water, in a plastic bag to protect the fish from getting water logged.
Maple syrup - A quality, pure syrup brings a natural sweetness to balance the saltiness of the soy sauce. Do NOT substitute pancake syrup, it will not work!
Soy sauce - Opt for low-sodium soy sauce or gluten free tamari if preferred. Umami-rich soy sauce gives the glaze its signature depth of flavor.
Dijon mustard - Adds acidity, heat, and helps emulsify the glaze.
Fresh garlic - A little goes a long way! It adds great flavor to the sauce.
Sesame oil - Nutty and aromatic, this ties everything together in the topping.
Cucumber and avocado - Provide a cooling, creamy contrast to the warm salmon glaze. Use a ripe, but firm avocado and an English cucumber or Persian cucumbers for the best texture. If using a regular cucumber, be sure to peel it and remove the seeds.
Sesame seeds and scallions (green onions) - Finish the topping with a pop of crunch and freshness.
*Find the full ingredient list in the recipe card below!
Helpful Equipment
- Small saucepan
- Whisk
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Instant-read thermometer
- Mixing bowl
- Chef's knife
- Cutting board
How to make Soy Glazed Salmon
What temp to bake salmon?
This flavorful salmon recipe is baked in a preheated oven at 400°F, which is one of the best ways to get it cooked quickly without drying it out.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a small saucepan, whisk together the soy sauce, fresh garlic, maple syrup, and Dijon mustard. Bring to a simmer and cook until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. It should become a thicker glaze that coats the back of a spoon.
Pro Tip: Keep a close eye on the glaze as it reduces, it can go from perfect to burnt quickly.
How to season Soy Salmon
- Rub salmon filets with oil and season with salt and black pepper. Place skin-side down on the parchment-lined baking dish, then brush lightly with the soy glaze.
- Bake the salmon for 5 minutes, then brush again with the reserved sauce. Continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes, or until the doneness of salmon is to your liking. Thicker cuts may take a bit longer.Pro Tip: Use an instant read thermometer for precision, 125°F yields perfectly tender, moist fish.
- While the salmon bakes, make the topping. In a medium bowl, combine diced cucumber, sesame oil, lime juice, toasted sesame seeds, sliced green onions, and a generous pinch of salt. Mix, then gently fold in the avocado.
- Once the salmon is done, brush with any remaining glaze and serve topped with the avocado-cucumber mixture and your favorite grain like Japanese rice, brown rice or farro.
Tips for Success
- Use a good quality, sustainably sourced salmon. Frozen is fine as long as it's fully thawed before cooking.
- Don't over-reduce the glaze or it can become bitter. You're looking for a syrupy consistency.
- Make sure to taste and adjust the avocado topping with extra lime or salt as needed.
- Swap in honey for an easy maple alternative, or mix in a little grated ginger, sriracha or rice vinegar to change up the flavor of the glaze.
Serving Suggestions
This easy salmon recipe is a natural fit for fresh, bright sides. I love serving it with a crisp and tangy Thai cucumber salad, a crunchy Thai green papaya salad or some zippy quick pickled carrots with ginger on the side.
Want to turn this into a full meal? Spoon it over jasmine rice or brown rice and add a chilled tomato salad or other veggie-forward sides from your fridge. Try pairing with some extra crisp-tender veggies, like steamed green beans, bok choy or brussels sprouts on the side.
How to store Maple Soy Salmon
Leftover salmon can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, warm gently in a low oven or microwave until just heated through, but be careful not to overcook or you'll lose that great flaky texture.
The avocado topping is best made fresh, so store it separately and enjoy within 24 hours.
Soy Salmon Recipe FAQs
Yes! If baking from frozen, increase cooking time by 5-10 minutes and skip the initial glaze until the last few minutes.
It typically takes about 10-15 minutes, depending on the thickness. A thinner fillet might be done in closer to 8-9 minutes, while a thicker one could take up to 15. Check with an instant read thermometer for accuracy.
Salmon can marinate in a soy-based glaze for up to 30 minutes. Any longer and the salt in the soy sauce can start to cure the fish and affect its texture.
Soy sauce is a salty, fermented liquid used for seasoning. A soy glaze is reduced soy sauce combined with sweeteners like maple syrup and other ingredients, cooked down into a syrupy consistency. It's thicker and adds a bold flavor finish to dishes.
The best part about this glaze is how easy it is to customize. Add grated ginger, sriracha, chili flakes, rice vinegar, gochujang, hoisin sauce, oyster sauce or fermented black bean paste. Most of these add-ins are common pantry staples, so you can adjust based on what you have. Whether you're making it for a weeknight dinner or planning for next time, it scales easily for more than a pound of salmon. A few lemon wedges on the side are always a good move, and one of the reasons this remains one of my favorite salmon recipes.
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20 Minute Maple Soy Salmon
Ingredients
- ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce I used Tamari since it's gluten free
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons neutral oil I prefer grape seed
- 4 medium salmon fillets I prefer wild salmon, skin-on or off
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 English cucumber diced
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon lime juice freshly squeezed
- 2 teaspoons sesame seeds any color
- 3 scallions thinly sliced
- 1 avocado large ripe but firm, diced
- rice for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
- In a small saucepan, whisk together the soy sauce, garlic, maple syrup and Dijon mustard. Cook over medium heat until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. It should be thick and syrupy.
- Rub the salmon all over with the oil, then season with salt and pepper on both sides. Place the salmon fillets skin-side-down on the parchment lined sheet pan, then brush lightly with the soy glaze.
- Bake the salmon for 5 minutes, brush with more glaze, then continue cooking until they're to your liking. I prefer my salmon just slightly undercooked in the center, so it only takes about 3-4 more minutes. The overall time will also depend on the thickness of your fillets.
- While the salmon cooks, prepare the topping. In a medium bowl, add the cucumber, sesame oil, lime juice, sesame seeds, scallions and a generous pinch of salt. Mix well, then add the avocado and gently toss until just combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- When the salmon is finished, brush it with any remaining glaze, then serve with the avocado cucumber topping and your favorite rice if desired.
Notes
- Use a good quality, sustainably sourced salmon. Frozen is fine as long as it's fully thawed before cooking.
- Don't over-reduce the glaze or it can become bitter. You're looking for a syrupy consistency.
- Make sure to taste and adjust the avocado topping with extra lime or salt as needed.
- Swap in honey for an easy maple alternative, or mix in a little grated ginger, sriracha or rice vinegar to change up the flavor of the glaze.
Nutrition
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Thank you for this great recipe.
This is so tasty and delicious! I really like the combination of flavors together - unique and works very well.
This recipe is being added to my many salmon dinner rotations.
So happy you love the recipe! Thanks for leaving a review!
This is my go to recipe for salmon on the fly. So easy and so delicious. If you try it, you’ll love it.
Amazing! Thanks Hanya! <3
Been looking for a soy glazed salmon. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing this recipe, it looks great! What are your thoughts about range hoods? I'm trying to decide if I should get one.
https://prolinerangehoods.com/blog/average-range-hood-installation-time-and-cost/
Made this dish for the first time last night and it will definitely be on my weekly rotation! Super easy to make & soooooo delicious & fresh!
Thanks Beth!!! SO glad you loved it!
I so enjoy your site and your recipes. Would you please consider adding a print option so we can enjoy your recipes a little more easily. Thank you.
there is a print option on the recipe card!
I just placed an order for salmon. Thanks for the discount code!
Awesome. Hope you love it, Marci! 😀