When it comes to combining bold flavors with a touch of elegance, Balsamic Glazed Salmon is a standout dish. This recipe features perfectly seasoned salmon fillets paired with a rich, tangy balsamic glaze, creating a harmonious blend of flavors. Ideal for a special dinner or a healthy weeknight meal, it’s a versatile and delicious option that’s sure to impress.
Balsamic Glazed Salmon
Why This Balsamic Glazed Salmon Is the Best
Perfectly Seasoned Salmon: The salmon fillets are coated with a blend of spices that enhance their natural flavor, creating a deliciously savory and slightly sweet crust.
Rich Balsamic Glaze: The balsamic glaze is made with balsamic vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard, creating a sweet and tangy sauce that complements the salmon beautifully.
Healthy and Nutritious: This dish is not only flavorful but also packed with nutrients. Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, while the glaze adds a burst of flavor without adding too many calories.
Ingredient Notes:
Balsamic Rosemary Glaze:
Balsamic vinegar: A dark, concentrated, and flavorful vinegar that originates from Italy. Its sweet and tangy profile reduces into a rich, syrupy glaze, perfect for enhancing the natural flavors of salmon.
Honey: A natural sweetener that helps balance the sharpness of balsamic vinegar, giving the glaze a silky texture and a mild sweetness.
Dijon mustard: This adds depth to the glaze with its slightly sharp, tangy notes, creating a more complex flavor profile that complements the richness of the salmon.
Rosemary sprig: Rosemary has a robust, earthy aroma that melds beautifully with balsamic and honey. It subtly infuses the glaze with its piney and peppery fragrance, enhancing the savory elements of the dish.
Garlic: Minced garlic adds a layer of pungency and warmth to the glaze, deepening the overall flavor and providing a savory backbone.
Salmon:
Salmon fillets: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, salmon fillets are tender, flavorful, and absorb the glaze beautifully. The fish remains juicy when cooked and pairs well with both sweet and savory flavors.
Olive oil: Used to sear the salmon, olive oil gives the fillets a nice golden crust while imparting a slightly fruity, smooth flavor. It also helps lock in moisture during cooking.
Salt and black pepper: The essentials for seasoning, salt enhances the natural flavors of the salmon, while freshly ground black pepper adds a mild heat and earthy depth.
Optional Garnish:
Finely minced rosemary or parsley: Adding fresh rosemary or parsley as a garnish gives the dish a pop of color and a refreshing herbaceous finish, balancing the rich, sweet, and tangy glaze.
Serving Suggestions
With Roasted Vegetables: Pair this balsamic glazed salmon with a side of roasted vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, or bell peppers for a complete and balanced meal.
Over a Bed of Greens: Serve the salmon over a bed of mixed greens or spinach for a light and refreshing salad.
For Special Dinners or Weeknight Meals: This dish is versatile enough to serve at a dinner party or enjoy as a healthy weeknight meal.
Tips for Perfect Balsamic Glazed Salmon
Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh salmon and high-quality balsamic vinegar make all the difference in this dish. Look for firm, bright pink salmon fillets and a good-quality balsamic vinegar.
Don’t Overcook the Salmon: Cook the salmon just until it flakes easily with a fork. Overcooking can make it dry.
Let the Glaze Thicken: Allow the glaze to simmer until it reaches a thick, syrupy consistency. This helps it cling to the salmon and enhances the overall flavor.
A Must Try
There’s nothing quite like the aroma of balsamic glazed salmon sizzling in the pan. This Balsamic Glazed Salmon is the perfect way to treat yourself or your loved ones to something special. Flavorful, healthy, and irresistibly delicious, it’s sure to become a favorite in your home.
Balsamic Glazed Salmon
Ingredients
Balsamic Rosemary Glaze
- 1/2 cup of balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup of low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 Tbsp of honey
- 1 Tbsp of dijon mustard
- 1 rosemary sprig like 7-inches
- 1 clove of garlic minced
Salmon
- 4 6 oz of salmon fillets skinless or skin over
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tsp of olive oil divided
- Finely minced rosemary or like parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Let the salmon sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
- In a medium saucepan, mix together balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, rosemary, and garlic.
- Heat the mixture over medium-high heat until it boils. Then, lower the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and reduces to about 1/3 cup.
- Remove the sauce from heat, strain it through a fine mesh strainer, and set aside.
- In a 12-inch non-stick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Season both sides of the salmon with salt and pepper.
- Place the salmon fillets in the skillet and cook for about 4 minutes without moving them, until the bottom is nicely browned.
- Carefully flip the salmon and cook for another 4 minutes, until fully cooked.
- Drizzle the warm balsamic rosemary glaze over each fillet before serving. If you like, garnish with finely minced rosemary or parsley.
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Balsamic Glazed Salmon