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Balsamic Glazed Salmon is a romantic recipe that’s easy for even the most novice of home cooks, and it impresses every time! Spread a quick honey balsamic glaze over the filets, then finish the salmon in the oven.

easy balsamic glazed salmon on a white dinner plate, next to fresh spinach leaves

As the salmon bakes, the glaze becomes sweet, tangy, and sticky.

The inside of the salmon is juicy, tender, and flaky.

As further proof that this balsamic salmon recipe is EASY, my husband Ben (who readily admits that his kitchen skills are best used for dish washing and not whipping up Salmon Wellington) made it for me with delicious success.

If he can do it, you can do it!

For another of his recent dinner hits (and the hilarious story of our first ever Valentine’s Day), check out Salmon Pasta.

2 dinner plates of honey Balsamic Glazed Salmon baked in the oven with spinach

5 Star Review

“Excellent! Very tasty, moist, and flavorful. The sauce was easy, aromatic, and simple to prep. It’s a keeper with my wife and I!”

— Gary —

How to Make the Best Balsamic Glazed Salmon Recipe

This glazed salmon recipe, while impressive enough for a date night-in, is also perfect for busy weeknights.

It cooks up in only 20 minutes!

Start by making balsamic glaze: stir together balsamic vinegar, honey, and seasonings, then simmer them on the stove for a few minutes until they reduce.

From there, brush the glaze over the salmon and bake. EASY!

Glazed Salmon for Success

Glazing salmon, then finishing it in the oven is one of the best methods to cook salmon. The glaze infuses every bite with flavor and gives the salmon an extra yummy top.

Here are a few of my other glazed salmon recipes:

For an in-depth look at baking salmon, check out this Salmon Temperature Chart.


The Ingredients

  • Salmon. Packed with protein and healthy omega-3s, salmon is one of my all-time favorite fish to cook. Whether you make Poached Salmon (which involves a gentle boil), Grilled Salmon, Broiled Salmon, or baked glazed salmon like this recipe, it’s a a versatile protein choice that will never steer you wrong.

Ingredient Note

When buying salmon look for pieces that have a firm texture and bright pink (or red) color. Fresh salmon should not smell fishy but like the ocean. For more information, see the great tips in this Baked Salmon.

  • Balsamic Vinegar. Sweet, tart, and lightly acidic, balsamic vinegar is salmon’s perfect partner (it’s also dreamy in these Balsamic Brussels Sprouts). With notes of cherry, chocolate, and fig it’s the perfect ingredient for any date night-worthy recipe.
  • Honey. Intensifies and highlights the sweetness of the robustly flavored balsamic vinegar. (It’s also a key ingredient in this Honey Garlic Salmon.)

Substitution Tip

For a brown sugar balsamic salmon, swap the honey for dark or light brown sugar. Or, in place of the honey, use pure maple syrup.

TIP!

When preparing the glaze, take care to not burn your minced cloves garlic. If your pan is too hot or you cook the garlic for too long it will burn and cause your glaze to taste bitter. Make sure you are sticking to medium heat or medium-low heat.

  • Dijon Mustard. Adds a little bite and acidity to balance out the sweetness of the honey and balsamic vinegar. Just a teaspoon or two goes a long way in flavor!
salmon filet coated with a honey balsamic glaze on a white dinner plate with fresh spinach

How to Make Homemade Balsamic Glaze

  1. In a small saucepan, saute garlic in olive oil.
Sauce being stirred in a skillet
  1. Now, add the rest of the balsamic glaze ingredients: balsamic vinegar, honey (or maple syrup or brown sugar), Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Bring the balsamic mixture to a simmer, then let reduce for 4 minutes, until it forms a sticky glaze. Do not let the balsamic reduce too long, or it may seize.
salmon fillets on a sheet pan brushed with sauce

Add Balsamic Glaze to Salmon

  1. Drizzle on the balsamic reduction, brushing the salmon filets generously.
roasted balsamic glazed salmon on a foil-lined sheet pan
  1. Bake balsamic salmon at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes, until its internal temperature reaches 140 degrees F on an instant read thermometer (salmon is considered cooked at 145 degrees F but its temperature will rise as it rests).
topping salmon with additional balsamic glaze before serving
  1. Five minutes into the cooking time, baste the salmon with the balsamic sauce again.
roasted balsamic glazed salmon garnished with parsley on a foil-lined sheet pan
  1. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve. ENJOY!

Wine Pairing

Salmon and Chardonnay is always a fine pairing. However, the robust and sweet balsamic glaze on this salmon opens up the door to an array of red wine pairings, like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, too.

dinner serving of honey Balsamic Glazed Salmon baked, with spinach, and a glass of red wine

Storage Tips

  • To Store. Leftover balsamic glazed salmon may be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • To Reheat. For best results, warm the salmon in a 350 degree F oven until heated through.
  • To Freeze. Balsamic glazed salmon may be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before warming. Note: it may have more of a “fishy” taste and be a little mushy.

Leftover Ideas

This salmon is phenomenal served cold or at room temperature the next day on a bed of your favorite greens or this Spinach Strawberry Salad.

What to Serve with Balsamic Salmon

two white dinner plates with balsamic glazed salmon in oven and glasses of red wine

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

  • Skillet. Do yourself a favor and invest in a quality non-stick skillet. You (and your date) can thank me later.
  • Sheet Pan. An everyday kitchen essential no one should be without.
  • Fillet Knife. A great tool to have on hand if you wish to remove the skin from your salmon before cooking it.

Grab some candles, turn down the lights, and play some mood music because this balsamic glazed salmon is turning on the charm.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Happens If You Reduce Balsamic Vinegar Too Much?

Keep an eye on your glaze. If overcooked (or cooked on too high of heat) the balsamic will ball up and become a big sticky blob. As soon as the glaze thickens remove it from the heat (try to avoid medium-high heat) promptly for best results. If it over-reduces, unfortunately there is no fix, so you will need to start over.

Could I Use Balsamic Glaze on Chicken?

Great idea! I have not used this glaze on anything other than salmon but I imagine it would be delicious on Baked Chicken Thighs or a Baked Chicken Breast. Check out this Balsamic Chicken Salad too.

Could I Use White Balsamic Vinegar for Glazed Salmon?

I have only ever used regular balsamic vinegar in this recipe. However, several readers have reported success using white balsamic vinegar in this recipe. Note that the glaze will have a milder and sweeter flavor if white balsamic vinegar is used.

What Kind of Side Dish Goes Well with Salmon?

Any kind of veggie, like green beans, Roasted Broccoli, or Sauteed Cabbage would be a nice addition to your plate.
A fresh spinach salad or a casserole like this Broccoli Rice Casserole would fit the bill too.

Balsamic Glazed Salmon

5 from 49 votes
Balsamic Glazed Salmon is easy and impressive! Spread a sweet, tangy honey balsamic glaze over salmon fillets, then bake.

Prep: 2 minutes
Cook: 18 minutes
Total: 20 minutes

Servings: 2 servings

Ingredients
  


Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil (avoid parchment paper), then coat with non-stick cooking spray.
  • In a small skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant and beginning to brown, about 2 minutes, watching carefully so that it does not burn.
  • Add the balsamic vinegar, honey, mustard, salt, and pepper. Whisk and simmer until the mixture thickens; about 4 minutes.
  • Place salmon skin-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Brush liberally with the glaze.
  • Bake for 5 minutes and then remove from the oven.
  • Baste with the glaze, then bake 5 to 10 additional minutes, until the fish flakes easily with a fork and is cooked through.
  • Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve.

Video

Notes

  • TO STORE: Leftover balsamic glazed salmon may be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • TO REHEAT: For best results, warm the salmon in a 350 degree F oven until heated through.
  • TO FREEZE: Balsamic glazed salmon may be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before warming.

Nutrition

Serving: 1(of 2)Calories: 325kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 34gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 94mgPotassium: 878mgFiber: 1gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 73IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 2mg

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Related Recipes

Easy, yet elegant. Impress your family or dinner date with one of these other favorite healthy salmon recipes:

Just for fun, here’s a photo of the original menu from that first Valentine’s Day.

homemade romantic dinner menu next to a glass of white wine

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Erin Clarke

Hi, I'm Erin Clarke, and I'm fearlessly dedicated to making healthy food that's affordable, easy-to-make, and best of all DELISH. I'm the author and recipe developer here at wellplated.com and of The Well Plated Cookbook. I adore both sweets and veggies, and I am on a mission to save you time and dishes. WELCOME!

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107 Comments

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  1. This glaze is so delicious! And it uses simple ingredients I already stock in my pantry! I paired my salmon with roasted brussel sprouts and zucchini, and a lovely glass of wine. It was the perfect meal for a New Year’s Eve date at home with my significant other. Thank you for this easy yet elegant recipe.5 stars

  2. Amazing! This glaze came to the rescue of my very boring oven baked salmon, sautéed spinach and rice. Before serving this to my family, I quickly made your glaze to spoon over everyone’s salmon and rice. I will definitely make this again and serving the sauce on the side was delicious.
    Thanks so much for sharing :)5 stars

  3. This was amazing!! So so good. I’ve tried a few recipes and nothing beats this one. I don’t even eat salmon much but this gets rid if that fishy taste.5 stars

    1. Hi Larry! That means if you would like to double or triple the recipe, you’d click on those buttons and it would help you convert the amounts of the ingredients only.

  4. This recipe is so easy and beautiful, I made it for a work lunch. The balsamic glaze was pantry friendly, quick, easy and impressive. I served it w rice, and roasted Normandy veggies. I left a container in the fridge for a surprise dinner plate for a friend.5 stars

    1. Hi Leslie! With sticky glazes like this, the parchment paper often isn’t enough as the glaze can seep through the paper and really stick to the pan. You could try a double layer of parchment paper. If you decide to try it out, I’d love to know how it goes! Hope this helps!

  5. Wow! I have a sweet tooth and I loved the honey, balsamic, garlic salmon. It was easy, flavorful and delicious!5 stars

  6. I love this recipe so much! I rinse the salmon and pat dry then season with salt and pepper. I bake in the oven for 15 minutes and then put the glaze on top of the salmon and bake for another 5 minutes. It’s Perfect!!! I paired it with Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Red Onion, Mushrooms & Red Peppers.5 stars

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