Baked salmon in foil done the right way - easy, delicious, and perfectly cooked. Fresh salmon is perfectly seasoned with a bold and complex coffee rub that is balanced by the sweet maple glaze finish making it great for weeknight gourmet family night.
Mood Music
Sarah Vaughan had one of the greatest voices in music. Her voice was its own orchestra and one note by her could take you from any negative space mentally to damn near nirvana. Her “The Best Is Yet To Come” is a perfect example of this. Obviously this an optimistic song, but her voice is big, joy-infusing, and celebratory which is the same vibe that the coffee rub provides the maple glazed salmon.
Maple Glazed Salmon Ingredients
Glaze Ingredients
- Maple Syrup
- Lemon Juice
- Butter
Coffee Rub Ingredients
- Ground Expresso
- Paprika
- Dark Brown Sugar
- Dry Mustard
- Kosher Salt
- Black Pepper
- Coriander
- Ground Ginger
- Garlic Powder
How To Make Maple Glazed Salmon
Make the Rub
Mix all ingredients together in a small mixing bowl. Set aside.
Make the Glaze
Add the glaze ingredients plus a quarter of the coffee rub to a separate bowl and mix well.
Prepare the Salmon
Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees for baking/roasting.
Pat dry each side of the fish with a paper towel then season all over with the spices. If using salmon with the skin still on just season the no skin side.
Place a strip of foil on a baking sheet and spray it with cooking spray. Add salmon to the center (skin side down) and make sure you have enough foil to fold over the top of the salmon
Spoon about ¾ of the glaze over the top of the salmon. Fold the sides of the foil up to completely enclose the salmon. Save the rest of the glaze for the last step.
Bake for about 14-15 minutes or until salmon is almost done cooking. Remove salmon from the oven.
Change your oven settings to broil and increase the temperature to about 425 - 450 degrees. Open the foil so the fish is exposed. Brush on the reserved glaze and then place the salmon back in the oven under the broiler for about 1-2 minutes then remove. Garnish with fresh parsley
Cooking Considerations and Tips
The glaze and rub work with different kind of fish including trout or mahi mahi.
Similarly the coffee rub is pretty versatile. It works great with these lamb chops, steak, or even these pan-seared scallops.
I prefer to buy coffee beans and grind them up using a coffee grinder. And on the subject of coffee beans, I’m team Ethiopian beans all day.
The aluminum foil helps protect the salmon from drying out while cooking it to the desired temperature. Broiling uncovered afterwards allows you to get the desired texture and caramelization.
Honey or agave can be used in place of maple syrup. The key is to have enough sugar gor a good glaze.
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Ingredients
For the Glaze
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup melted butter unsalted
- 1 small lemon juiced
For the Coffee Rub
- 1 tablespoon ancho chili powder
- 1 tablespoon finely ground espresso.
- ½ tablespoon smoked sweet paprika.
- 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard
- ½ tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
For the Salmon
- 2 lbs salmon cut into filets
Instructions
Make the Rub
- Mix all ingredients together in a small mixing bowl. Set aside.
Make the Glaze
- Whisk together all glaze ingredients and set aside. Taste it and adjust it to your liking.
Make the Salmon
- Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees for baking/roasting
- Pat dry each side of the fish with a paper towel then season all over with the spices. If using salmon with the skin still on just season the no skin side.
- Place a strip of foil on a baking sheet and spray it with cooking spray. Add salmon to the center (skin side down) and make sure you have enough foil to fold over the top of the salmon.
- Spoon about ¾ of the glaze over the top of the salmon. Fold the sides of the foil up to completely enclose the salmon. Save the rest of the glaze for the last step
- Bake for about 14-15 minutes or until salmon is almost done cooking. Remove salmon from the oven.
- Change your oven settings to broil and increase the temperature to about 425 - 450 degrees. Open the foil so the fish is exposed. Brush on the reserved glaze and then place the salmon back in the oven under the broiler for about 1-2 minutes then remove.
- Garnish with fresh parsley
Video
Carrie
Monday 6th of May 2024
Would you please share what corn relish/side recipe you have under the salmon? It looks incredible - excited to try all of it this week!
Marwin Brown
Monday 6th of May 2024
it's simple and easy. Use frozen (thawed) or canned corn (drained) and saute on high heat with diced red onions, poblanos, and peaches/nectarines. Finish with some lime juice and cilantro. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Amy
Sunday 15th of August 2021
This is my new favorite salmon recipe! I love that it's baked in foil, and the maple glaze was amazing!
Jacqueline Debono
Sunday 15th of August 2021
I've never tried coffee in a rub but the combination of coffee and your spices sounds heavenly. I can imagine this salmon tastes divine. Will definitely give it a try the next time I get some salmon!
Jenny
Sunday 15th of August 2021
This salmon is so good. Effortless and so delicious. The coffee and maple flavors are fantastic. Thanks so much for the recipe.
Tammy
Friday 13th of August 2021
I'm so intrigued by the flavors of this dish...coffee, maple, and those warm spices. It all sounds delicious baked into the salmon. Definitely a recipe I will be keeping for next time.