Baked sticky apricot salmon

Apricot salmon baked until sticky and glossy is the most delicious, easiest dinner recipe served with broccoli and is perfect for meal prep.

Cooking salmon with a sticky glaze is always a good idea. Salmon is meaty enough to stand up to sweet, aromatic flavors and the end result will always be totally delicious. In South Africa, cooking fish (particularly Snoek) with apricot jam and butter is very traditional and so I thought why not rework a classic by making it easier, quicker and perfect for weeknight cooking? This salmon was incredibly tasty and even my fish-hating daughter asked for seconds.

How to make sticky apricot baked salmon

Pre-heat the oven and make the glaze. Combine the apricot jam/preserves, soy sauce, lemon juice, garlic and water in a small saucepan and bring up to a simmer. Cook the glaze until it coats the back of a spoon. If you want a stickier glaze on your salmon, cook the glaze a little longer until it is slightly thicker.

Allow the glaze to cool slightly before pouring over the salmon fillets. Place in the oven and allow to bake for 7-10 minutes, depending on the size of the salmon. I like to spoon the glaze over the salmon every 2-3 minutes while cooking to ensure the salmon is nice and lacquered by the time it is cooked. Remove from the oven and serve with sides of your choice.

How long to bake salmon

The recommended safe temperature for salmon to be cooked to is 62ºC/145ºF. I like to cook salmon in a hot oven until the meat flakes easily but the center is still a little medium-rare. The fish will continue cooking when resting and this will ensure it doesn’t dry out.

What to serve with baked salmon

• Easy steamed spring vegetables with feta cheese
• Crispy salt and pepper smashed potatoes
• Easy side salad with lemon dressing
• Pea and feta quinoa salad
• Easy spicy garlic baked potato wedges

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4.34 from 6 votes

Easy baked sticky apricot salmon

Apricot salmon baked until sticky and glossy is the most delicious, easiest dinner recipe served with broccoli and is perfect for meal prep.

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Keyword Apricot salmon, Baked salmon, Easy salmon recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Servings 4

Calories 345kcal

Author Alida Ryder

Ingredients

• 800 g (1,7lbs) salmon (trimmed into 4 skin-on fillets)

For the apricot glaze

• ¾ cup (180ml) apricot jam/preserves
• 1-2 tbsp (15-30ml) soy sauce
• 2 tbsp (30ml) lemon juice
• pinch of chilli flakes/red pepper flakes (optional)
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• 2 tbsp (30ml) water
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Pre-heat the oven to 220ºC/430ºF. 
• Combine all the glaze ingredients and bring to a simmer in a small saucepan. Allow to cook for a few minutes until the glaze has thickened and coats the back of a spoon easily. Adjust seasoning (add more soy or lemon juice if necessary) and allow to cool slightly. 
• Line a baking tray with foil and grease with a little oil/cooking spray. Place the salmon fillets on the tray, skin-side down. Pour over the glaze and place in the oven. 
• Allow to bake for 7-10 minutes, spooning the glaze over the salmon every 2-3 minutes, until the salmon is cooked to your preference, and is glossy and sticky. 
• Remove from the oven and allow to rest for a few minutes before serving with sides of your choice. 

Nutrition

Calories: 345kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 110mg | Sodium: 340mg | Potassium: 1018mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 1.6% | Vitamin C: 3.5% | Calcium: 2.8% | Iron: 10.4%

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