Snag the last of summers’ basil: This Glazed Dijon Salmon with Garlic Basil Spinach is a healthy meal you can get on the table in 30 minutes without sacrificing flavor!
What a whirlwind of a weekend! Last time we talked, I was just touching down in Vermont for Blog Brûlée and now I’m already back in California. I can’t believe the weekend came and went so quickly, and now I’m back alone in front of the computer screen instead of sitting around with a group of incredible women brainstorming and networking. I always step back and thank my lucky stars for finding community through this space.
One thing that got discussed a lot this weekend is how we best help readers find what they need.
I think about you guys a lot… [feel free to answer in the comments!]
- Any particular recipes are you looking for this fall?
- What do you think about when putting together your meal plan for the week?
- What do you think about when you’re winging it 20 minutes before dinner should be on the table?
This recipe is one I lean heavily on when I’m feeling overwhelmed in many aspects of life – and it’s time for me to share it so you guys have it in your quick meal arsenal too. It’s quick to grab a piece of fish and some fresh spinach on the way home, or keep it in the freezer to make on a busy night.
While fish really feels like a luxury, you can keep the portion sizes small to stretch this meal by adding some brown rice or quinoa underneath the recipe for bulk. I love the buttery flavor of salmon, and I highlight it with dijon mustard and a touch of maple syrup.
When plated on top of garlicky basil spinach, the different flavors of this dish pop and make you feel like you just ordered the salmon dish at a restaurant. I can’t say enough good things about this recipe – I hope you add it into your routine when you want to feel fancy!
- 2 4-ounce filets of wild salmon
- 1 teaspoon stoneground dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- ½ cup halved walnuts
- ¼ of a sweet onion
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons minced basil
- 1 large minced garlic clove
- 4 cups baby spinach
- Extra basil for garnish
- Set your filets of salmon on a piece of parchment paper and preheat the oven to 325.
- Mix together the dijon mustard, and maple syrup. Divide the mixture on top of the salmon and top with fresh ground pepper.
- Bake the salmon for 20 minutes in the oven, until flaky when you poke in a fork and twist it.
- During the last 6-8 minutes of baking, add ½ cup of halved walnuts to the baking sheet to toast in the oven.
- Thinly chop the sweet onion and sauté it in a pan with olive oil for 2-3 minutes. Add in the minced basil and garlic and sauté until fragrant, and then turn off the heat.
- Add in spinach and stir it to coat it in olive oil, and the heat of the pan will wilt the spinach.
- When the salmon is fully cooked, plate the wilted garlic basil spinach underneath with salmon and sprinkle with the toasted walnuts.
This dish takes 30 minutes start to finish, but after making this many times at home, I can usually throw it together in 20 – cooking the spinach mixture while the salmon bakes. In addition, it’s easy to double for a family of 4!
Get to it!
Marisa
Ashley @ Fit Mitten Kitchen says
Already got my fish thawing in the fridge for dinner tonight, so I’ll definitely have to try this dijon glaze! Looks so good. Thanks for sharing such a quick and satisfying recipe!
Marisa says
Ah! Awesome Ashley! Enjoy!
Allie says
We eat salmon almost weekly at our house but I never thought of putting it over spinach. I am most definitely giving that glaze a try next time
Marisa says
That’s wonderful that you include it so often! I always forget to pick it up but never regret cooking it 🙂
Erin @ The Almond Eater says
I am not a big dijon fan, but I AM a big salmon fan aaaaand I’ll eat any meal that only takes 20 minutes to prep. done and done!
Marisa says
I think you will love this combo still because the maple tempers down the strong dijon flavor!
Georgie says
This looks fantastic – dijon is such a good compliment for salmon.
I love finding easy recipes that are quick and don’t take too many ingredients.
Marisa says
Yes! Quick and simple is the name of the game.
Cassie @ Almost Getting it Together says
I have a piece of salmon thawing in the fridge right now… HOW DID YOU KNOW? Just need to scoop some basil (which I wanted anyway!) and spinach on my way home from… the dentist. womp womp.
Such a good thought – what do your readers want? Cant’t wait to hear all about your weekend – in person! – soon!
Marisa says
I JUST KNEW!! The dentist is good for you, but salmon is even better 🙂
rachel @ Athletic Avocado says
oh my goodness this is pure bliss right here! salmon is the bomb.com!
Marisa says
Yes!! Thanks Rachel!
Melanie says
I love the flavor combination of maple syrup and dijon mustard, which surprised me the first time I tried it in a salmon recipe. I’m excited to try yours! When I think about meal plans for the week, I think about time and carry-over ingredients. I hate buying something I’ll only need for one recipe.
I can’t wait to read more about your experience at Blog Brûlée! 🙂
Marisa says
Thanks Melanie! Time and carry-over thoughts are so important for being efficient in the kitchen!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Mustards are the condiments MADE for salmon!
Marisa says
Truth! I love mustard.
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious says
I know what I’m making with the salmon in my freezer this week! Glad you had such a great time at blog brûlée. I remember coming back last year with so many ideas percolating in my head!
Marisa says
Wahoo!! So happy to have made it onto your meal plan 🙂 Yes, it was a great weekend packed with lots of wonderful sharing.
Sara @ Oats & Rows says
This looks heavenly- What perfect flavor combos!
Marisa says
Thank you Sara!
Min says
Yay! So glad you had a wonderful time at blog brulee! Can’t wait to hear all about it ;). And I’m totally loving this simple yet satisfying dish! I always have frozen salmon on hand so I just make sure to pull it out the day before so I can enjoy it when I get home from work. I’m a HUGE believer in meal prep so I may not necessarily plan in the sense that I don’t have “recipes” for my meals. I just prepare individual components and when the time comes to chow down, I just dump onto a bowl whatever ingredients call out my name 😉
Marisa says
Yes – it was an incredible weekend! Thanks, Min. That type of food prep is how I work best too – having a semi-plan, and lots of ingredients to hand to throw easy things together.
Lauren | Just a Pinch says
I’m excited to read more about your weekend at Blog Brûlée! It was fun to see a snippet of the weekend through instagram/snap chat. It looks like you guys had a great time!
Salmon is my go-to dinner protein – I love it! Great idea to mix in a little spinach too 🙂
Marisa says
Yes it was a blast!