Maple Garlic Salmon with Polenta

Maple garlic salmon with polenta. This easy salmon recipe is a real treat. We keep it simple by searing the salmon fillets with a savory-sweet sauce made with maple syrup, butter and lots of garlic. Serve over creamy polenta for a truly satisfying dinner.

What makes this maple glazed salon so good

This maple garlic salmon is not only incredibly delicious but also super easy to prepare. It’s served alongside creamy polenta and garnished with chives.

The best part? It’s a quick and comforting dish that can easily become a regular feature on your weeknight dinner menu. What’s more, it’s made with everyday ingredients and can be adapted to your taste.

Not a fan of polenta? Try it with mashed potatoes or rice. If you’re out of maple syrup, honey makes a great substitute. You can pair this seared salmon with a salad, roasted veggies or a refreshing cucumber salad for a dinner you’ll want to repeat week after week.

It’s a delightful treat, one of the simplest and most enjoyable meals you can make at home.

And if you love recipes with polenta, try my ‘Lemon Garlic Scallops with Polenta‘, ‘Chicken Meatballs all’Arrabbiata with Polenta‘ or ‘Creamy Parmesan Polenta with Beer Sautéed Mushrooms‘.

How to Make Maple Garlic Salmon with Polenta

To elevate the flavors of our salmon fillets, we start by seasoning them with a delectable blend of salt, black pepper, sweet paprika, and garlic powder. Following this, we sear them in a blend of olive oil and butter.

Once the salmon has been removed from the skillet, we swiftly whip up a pan sauce by sautéing minced garlic with maple syrup, a touch of soy sauce, and a splash of lemon juice. To enhance the flavor, we deglaze the skillet with chicken broth and scrape up the brown bits on the bottom of the skillet.

Then, we return the salmon to the skillet, letting it gently simmer on low heat while we turn our attention to the polenta.

Instant polenta is a star in this recipe, as it comes together in just 2 to 3 minutes, making your evening a whole lot easier. After a quick boil, we simply stir in grated Parmesan cheese, and voilà, you’re ready in just 20 minutes!

When serving, pair the seared salmon with a generous drizzle of that delicious buttery maple garlic sauce, and don’t forget to crown it with an array of toppings like chives or your personal favorites such as parsley, scallions or chopped pistachios.

Let me guide you through the recipe with this step-by-step VIDEO or follow along on YouTube.

Ingredients to Make Maple Garlic Salmon Recipe

• Salmon: It’s best to opt for salmon fillets of the same size and thickness to ensure even cooking. While skinless salmon is the primary choice for this recipe, using skin-on salmon is perfectly fine if that’s what you have.
• Seasoning: A flavorful blend of salt, black pepper, sweet paprika, and garlic powder to enhance the taste of the salmon.
• Unsalted Butter: To create that delightful, rich buttery sauce that coats the salmon.
• Garlic: The foundation of our sauce. For the best results, use freshly minced garlic cloves rather than pre-chopped varieties from the store. You’ll notice a world of difference in the flavors.
• Maple Syrup: Opt for pure maple syrup to infuse your dish with bold, rich flavor. If you can’t find it, honey is a suitable substitute, but reduce the amount to 2 tablespoons to avoid an overly sweet sauce.
• Soy Sauce: This ingredient provides a significant salty flavor boost to the dish.
• Chicken Broth: Alternatively, you can use vegetable broth if you prefer.
• Lemon Juice: To harmonize the sweetness of the maple syrup and the richness of the butter, adding a refreshing citrus note to the sauce.

Ingredients to Make Polenta Recipe

• Polenta: For a quick weeknight dinner, go for instant polenta. However, if you can’t find it, regular polenta or grits can be used as substitutes. If using regular polenta, remember to start cooking it first, as it often requires a longer cooking time of around 30 minutes.
• Milk and Chicken Broth: These are the liquids you’ll need to cook the polenta. We’re using both for added flavor and to give the polenta a creamy texture.
• Parmesan: To give your dish a richer and more flavorful finishing touch.
• Seasoning: Enhance the flavor with a dash of salt and black pepper.

Helpful Tips

• Versatile Options: This recipe is incredibly flexible, allowing you to customize it to your liking.
• Protein Swap: Feel free to switch out the salmon fillets with chicken thighs, shrimp, or steak to suit your preferences.
• Vegetable Pairings: You can pair this dish with a variety of vegetables such as broccoli rabe, spinach, kale, green beans, Brussels sprouts, green peas, or asparagus.
• Refreshing Sides: To complement your meal, consider serving a fresh cucumber salad or a green leafy salad drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
• Toppings: Personalize your dish with toppings like chives, parsley, scallions, chopped almonds, or chopped pistachios.
• Polenta Alternatives: If polenta isn’t your thing, you can easily swap it out for steamed rice or mashed potatoes. This recipe is all about making it your own!

Storage tips

• Storage: To keep leftovers fresh, store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. They will stay good for up to 2 days.
• Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy your leftovers, reheat them separately. For the salmon, gently simmer it on the stove over medium heat until it’s heated through. As for the polenta, reheat it over medium-low heat, adding a splash of milk, and continue heating until it’s steaming.

Try These Salmon Recipes Next

• Japanese Style Risotto with Seared Salmon
• Cajun Honey Butter Salmon
• One-Pan Creamy Tomato Salmon with Chorizo

Cooking Video: How To Make Maple Garlic Salmon with Polenta