Pecan Crusted Salmon with Honey Mustard

Pecan Crusted Salmon is an easy seafood entrée that will have dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes. This delicious baked salmon recipe includes sweet and spicy honey mustard glazed fillets with a crunchy pecan panko topping.

what's to love about pecan crusted salmon

I don't know about you, but at the end of the day I'm looking for delicious, relatively healthy, and easy to make dinner recipes. My Beef and Sugar Snap Pea Stir Fry, 30 Minute Vegetable and Bean Chili, and Baked and Glazed Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs check all the boxes for my kind of dinners.

Add to that list Pecan Crusted Honey Mustard Salmon. Glaze fresh salmon with a simple yet flavorful honey mustard sauce. Then top the super healthy fish with a crunchy pecan and panko mixture and bake to deliciousness. And the recipe is ready in less than 30 minutes. You have to try this recipe!

what you'll need for pecan crusted salmon

With just a few ingredients, an out of this world pecan crusted salmon dinner can be on the table in less than 30 minutes.

• salmon fillets
• Dijon mustard
• honey
• salted butter
• garlic
• pecans
• plain panko
• parsley
• kosher salt
• pepper

Scroll to the recipe for the full quantities of the ingredients.

ingredient substitutions and additions

• In place of the salmon, try artic char, halibut, sea bass or cod.
• Try walnuts, almonds, macadamia or cashews instead of the pecans. Be sure to use unsalted nuts.
• Plain breadcrumbs can be substituted for the panko. But the topping won't have the same crispy crunch.

how to pick fresh fish at the market

A good rule of thumb when buying fish is to make sure it is the freshest available.  Get to know your fishmonger. A knowledgeable fish merchant will be invaluable in helping pick the freshest fish. The seafood should not have a fishy or ammonia smell.  The fish should be firm to the touch, and the color should be vibrant.  If it still has its skin, the scales should be shiny.  If there is any liquid surrounding the fish, it should be clear and not milky.

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how to make pecan crusted salmon

• Preheat the oven ~ A hot oven is best for baking the salmon and crisping the pecan panko topping. Set the oven at 425 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet ~ here's my favorite ¼ size baking sheet pan ~ with parchment paper. Place salmon filets in the pan.
• Make honey mustard glaze ~ Just 2 ingredients - Dijon mustard and honey.
• Prepare the pecan panko topping ~ Melt the butter, add garlic, chopped pecans, panko, parsley, and a sprinkle of kosher salt and pepper.
• Top the salmon ~ Evenly divide the crunchy topping between the salmon fillets.
• Bake ~ About 15 minutes is all that is needed for perfectly cooked pecan crusted salmon.

chef tips for preparing pecan crusted salmon

• Buy the freshest fish available ~ Skip any seafood that smells fishy or like ammonia. Also, for the best flavor cook salmon the day you buy it.
• Finely chop the pecans ~ Raw and unsalted pecans are my first choice for pecan crusted salmon. But feel free to substitute your favorite kind of nut. Walnuts, pistachios, pine nuts, and almonds are all good options. Just make sure to finely chop any nut you choose. The small pieces of nut blend well with the light and flaky panko.
• Take the temperature of the salmon ~ A frequently asked question from my readers is how to cook salmon so it is not underdone or overcooked and dry. I highly recommend getting a instant read digital thermometer. Perfectly cooked salmon or any other fish should be cooked 145 degrees F or 63 degrees C.

what to serve with baked pecan crusted salmon

When you serve this salmon dish, it is the star of the meal. Some side dishes that complement pecan crusted salmon include Roasted Fall Squash with Cinnamon and Nutmeg, Crispy Oven Fries, Baked and Stuffed Coconut Sweet Potatoes, Cauliflower Rice Pilaf, and Roasted Carrot and Parsnip Fries.

more delicious seafood recipes to try

• Baked Cod with Crispy Garlic Panko
• Baked Salmon with Creamy Coconut Spinach Sauce
• Baked Shrimp with Feta and Tomatoes
• Mussels Marinara
• Mini Crab Cake Sandwiches with Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato

just one more thing

If you make this easy and delicious recipe for pecan salmon, I’d love hearing from you. Be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating ~ I do my best to reply to all your comments. And snap a photo to post to Instagram. I’ll add the photos to my Insta stories as I love seeing all your creations.

Also check out my Facebook and Pinterest pages for lots of fabulous foodie stories, videos, cooking tips, and recipes.

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