Name: Easy Maple Sesame Salmon
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 4 salmon fillets, skin removed (about 1.5–2 lbs. (680–908g total)); 1/2 cup (170g/120ml) pure maple syrup; 3 Tablespoons (45g/ml) soy sauce; 3 Tablespoons (45g/ml) sesame oil; 1 Tablespoon minced garlic; 1/4 cup sesame seeds (1 Tablespoon per salmon fillet); optional for garnish: chopped scallion

This maple sesame salmon is a fast, flavorful dinner with a sweet-savory glaze and crunchy sesame topping. Serve with rice and steamed vegetables to make a satisfying, yet simple weeknight meal.

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I originally published this recipe in 2016 and have since added new photos and helpful success tips.

It’s always helpful to have a few dependable dinner recipes in regular rotation… meals you can pull together with minimal ingredients and very little prep time. This 6-ingredient maple sesame salmon fits that bill perfectly (just like this 25-minute pesto shrimp).

Serve it with rice and steamed vegetables or a crisp green salad for a wholesome, satisfying meal that comes together in just over 30 minutes.

maple sesame salmon with green beans and rice on plates.

Tell Me About This Easy Maple Sesame Salmon

Texture: Crunchy toasted sesame seeds on top of tender, flaky salmon.
Flavor: The marinade doubles as a glaze—sweet from maple syrup, savory from soy sauce, nutty from sesame oil, and fragrant with garlic.
Ease: Whisk, marinate, bake, and simmer the extra marinade into a sauce while the salmon cooks.
Time: About 30–35 minutes from start to finish (plus marinating time, if you plan ahead).

When a recipe delivers on flavor and requires very little effort or prep, it’s a weeknight win. Here are more cozy winter dinner ideas to help inspire you in the kitchen this season.

Success Tip: Use Pure Maple Syrup

Most of the flavor in this dish comes from the maple syrup, so be sure to use pure maple syrup, not imitation pancake syrup. The real stuff adds depth and richness you won’t get otherwise—same rule applies when making this maple-roasted squash salad and these maple baked pears.

How to Marinate the Maple Salmon

You can marinate the salmon for at least 15 minutes or up to 8–9 hours. A longer marinating time means deeper flavor, so feel free to prep this in the morning or even the night before. Place the fish in a zipped-top bag or a sealed container and refrigerate while it marinates.

After that, arrange the marinated salmon on a lined baking sheet and top each with sesame seeds before baking.

What to Serve With Maple Sesame Salmon

This sweet-and-savory salmon pairs beautifully with simple sides that soak up the extra maple glaze:

Brown rice, jasmine rice, or quinoa
Steamed or roasted broccoli
Steamed sugar snap peas or green beans (pictured)
Roasted asparagus or sweet potatoes (can bake with the salmon)
Green salad with sesame or ginger dressing (or drizzle lightly with the glaze)

These sides keep the meal light and satisfying—perfect for busy weeknights or a quick meal if you’re entertaining.

For more inspiration, see my roundups of fresh summer dinner recipes and delicious fall dinner recipes.

Easy Dinner Recipes

Dinner & Sides

Easy Maple Sesame Salmon

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 11 reviews

Author: Sally McKenney
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: serves 4
Category: Dinner
Method: Cooking
Cuisine: Asian

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Description

This easy maple sesame salmon features tender baked fillets marinated in maple syrup, soy sauce, garlic, and sesame oil—then finished with a glossy, sweet-savory glaze and crunchy sesame seeds. Ready in about 30 minutes and perfect with rice and vegetables.

Ingredients

4 salmon fillets, skin removed (about 1.5–2 lbs. (680–908g total))
1/2 cup (170g/120ml) pure maple syrup
3 Tablespoons (45g/ml) soy sauce
3 Tablespoons (45g/ml) sesame oil
1 Tablespoon minced garlic
1/4 cup sesame seeds (1 Tablespoon per salmon fillet)
optional for garnish: chopped scallion

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Instructions

Place the salmon fillets in a baking dish, tightly-sealing container, or zipped-top bag. Whisk the maple syrup, soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic together in a medium bowl. Pour about half of the marinade over the salmon fillets, turning to coat them thoroughly. Reserve the remaining half of the marinade. Cover the dish/seal the container or bag.
Refrigerate the marinating salmon for at least 15 minutes or up to 8–9 hours. If you aren’t baking the salmon until later, tightly cover the unused marinade and refrigerate it until needed in step 5.
Preheat oven to 375°F (191°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, parchment paper, or a silicone baking mat. Arrange the marinated salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet and top each with sesame seeds. Discard the used marinade.
Bake the salmon until the center is opaque and flakes apart easily with a fork, 15–20 minutes depending on thickness (about 10 minutes per 1-inch thickness measured from the thickest part of the fillet, or until the thickest part reaches 145°F (63°C) internal heat). If desired (for crispier edges), broil the salmon on high for the last 2 minutes.
Reduce the glaze: Pour the reserved marinade into a small saucepan or skillet. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes, until the sauce has thickened into a glaze.
Garnish the salmon with chopped scallion (if using) and serve with the glaze.

Notes

Special Tools (affiliate links): Baking Dish | Glass Mixing Bowls | Whisk | Baking Sheet | Silicone Baking Mat, Parchment Paper, or Foil | Small Saucepan

Sally McKenney

Sally McKenney is a baker, food photographer, and New York Times best-selling author. Her kitchen-tested recipes and step-by-step tutorials have given millions of readers the knowledge and confidence to bake from scratch. Sally’s work has been featured on TODAY, Good Morning America, Taste of Home, People, and more.