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

1. 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 reducesand 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.
2. Bake the salmon: 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

Salmon recipes

1. Creamy salmon pasta
2. 20-minute Honey Garlic Salmon
3. White wine garlic salmon
4. Creamy garlic butter salmon