Salmon Marinade Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup for a different flavor)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional for added citrus flavor)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill or parsley (chopped, optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt (optional, depending on saltiness of soy sauce)

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, lemon juice, and lemon zest (if using).
  2. Season: Add the black pepper, sea salt (if using), and fresh herbs (dill or parsley). Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
  3. Marinate the Salmon: Place your salmon fillets in a shallow dish or a resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the salmon, ensuring that it’s well-coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour, or up to 4 hours for more flavor. If you’re short on time, even 15-20 minutes of marination will add some great flavor.
  4. Cook the Salmon: After marinating, remove the salmon from the marinade and cook as desired. You can bake, grill, or pan-sear it.

Tips:

  • For Grilling: If grilling, you can reserve a bit of the marinade to brush over the salmon while cooking, but discard any marinade that has come into contact with raw fish to prevent contamination.
  • Flavor Variations: Feel free to add other flavorings to the marinade like ginger, garlic powder, or even a little bit of soy sauce to kick up the flavor.
  • Double the Recipe: If you’re preparing multiple fillets, simply double the marinade recipe to ensure each fillet is fully coated.
  • For a Glaze: If you’d like to thicken the marinade into a glaze, pour it into a small saucepan and simmer on low heat for about 5-7 minutes until it reduces to a syrupy consistency. Brush it onto the salmon just before serving for extra flavor.

Nutrition (Per Serving – based on 4 servings):

  • Calories: 150-180 kcal
  • Protein: 0g (note: this is just for the marinade, not the fish)
  • Fat: 14g
  • Carbs: 5g
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 300-400mg