This flavorful Maple Walnut Crusted Salmon recipe is wonderful for entertaining company and easy to prepare during busy weeknights. A quick dish, which requires only a handful of ingredients, Maple Walnut Salmon is naturally gluten free and low carb, as well. This delicious entrée is packed with crunchy texture, sweet and spicy flavors, and many health benefits.
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Maple Walnut Salmon is a great main dish to prepare for busy weeknight dinners and entertaining guests. This entree pairs deliciously with many different sides such as broiled asparagus, broccoli casserole, roasted brussels sprouts, or au gratin potatoes.
Since the main component of this dish is salmon, try sourcing a high-quality Salmon, such as wild-caught, Alaskan salmon.
Salmon and walnuts are both high in Omega-3’s, powerful antioxidants, and great sources of protein. This recipe is a balanced, healthy dish to prepare when you need a quick, easy meal.
If you enjoy this dish or hope to incorporate more fish into your diet, try Maple Bourbon Salmon, for another flavorful, healthy recipe.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe is so quick and easy to prepare – you will want to make it all the time. Maple Walnut Salmon requires just a handful of ingredients and is one of the best salmon recipes I’ve ever tried.
Roasted walnuts, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, herbs, and spices create a super flavorful, and crave-able dish.
Maple Walnut Crusted Salmon is naturally gluten free and low carb, with only 5 net carbs per serving. If you use a sugar-free syrup substitute, you can reduce the carbohydrates even more.
How To Make Maple Walnut Salmon
Ingredients
- Salmon: I always say that every good salmon recipe starts with high-quality, wild-caught, Alaskan salmon. I subscribe to Sitka Salmon Shares which sends a variety of seafood and shellfish from Alaska right to your door each month. It’s also processed in the U.S., rather than China. Not only does it taste so much better than what I can get at the grocery store, I also feel much better about serving it to my family. If you are interested in checking them out and decide to sign up, you can use code DLB for $25 off of your first box.
- Walnuts
- Maple Syrup: I recommend pure maple syrup for the best flavor.
- Dijon Mustard
- Herbs and Spices: onion powder, smoked paprika and fresh parsley for garnish.
The entire recipe and instructions can also be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. You can also print the recipe from the card, if needed.
Prep!
If your salmon is frozen, you will need to thaw it in the refrigerator before preparing it.
Chef’s Tip: if your salmon is in one large piece, I recommend cutting it before topping with the walnut mixture and baking. If you cut it after baking, it tends to flake and fall apart pretty easily.
Chop the walnuts and parsley.
Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Create!
Place the salmon on a parchment paper or aluminum foil lined baking sheet, skin side down. Pat dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
In a small bowl, mix together the walnuts, maple syrup, dijon mustard, smoked paprika and onion powder until evenly blended.
Spoon the walnut mixture on top of the salmon and gently pat down to cover the top of the fillets.
Bake for 12-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets, or until the salmon is opaque and can easily be flaked off with a fork.
Present!
Top with fresh parsley, if desired.
Tips and Techniques
- If your salmon is in one large piece, cutting it before topping with the walnut mixture and baking is easier than cutting it after it has been cooked.
- Always purchase high-quality salmon for the best flavor. Wild caught salmon is a healthier choice and tastes better too.
- Use pure maple syrup for the best results.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 3 days.
FAQ’s
What Vegetables Pair Well With Salmon?
Most vegetables will pair well with salmon. Broccoli, asparagus, Brussels sprouts and potatoes are great choices to serve with salmon dishes.
What Type of Salmon is Healthiest?
Wild-caught, Pacific salmon is generally considered to be the healthiest.
More Salmon Recipes
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Maple Walnut Salmon
Ingredients
- 4 4 ounce fillets salmon
- salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- fresh parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Place the salmon on a parchment paper or aluminum foil lined baking sheet, skin side down. Pat dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
- In a small bowl, mix together the walnuts, maple syrup, dijon mustard, smoked paprika and onion powder until evenly blended. Spoon the walnut mixture onto the tops of the salmon fillets and gently pat down.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets, or until the salmon is opaque and can easily be flaked off with a fork.
- Top with fresh parsley, if desired.
Notes
Tips and Techniques
- If your salmon is in one large piece, cutting it before topping with the walnut mixture and baking it is easier than cutting it after it has been cooked.
- Always purchase high-quality salmon for the best flavor. Wild caught salmon is a healthier choice and tastes better too.
- Use pure maple syrup for the best results.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 3 days.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published on May 22, 2017. It was updated with an improved recipe, new images, step-by-step instructions, tips, techniques, FAQ’s and video in May 2021.
