This maple paprika salmon is pan-seared to perfection and great for an easy weeknight dinner that's full of flavor! This recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free, and takes less than 20 minutes to make.
If you're looking for a way to up your seafood game, look no further! Salmon is incredibly healthy and nutritious and is rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
This pan-seared salmon recipe is packed with flavor. It's slightly smoky, a tiny bit spicy, a little sweet, and so delicious. The marinade/sauce mixture only has a few ingredients and takes just a few minutes to whip up.
Then all you have to do is spread the paprika mixture on the fish and pan-sear it until it's done! All in all, this recipe takes less than 20 minutes to make from start to finish.
Ingredients
- Salmon
- Smoked paprika
- Maple syrup
- Garlic powder and salt
- Lemon juice
- Avocado or olive oil
How to make paprika salmon
In a small bowl, mix together lemon juice, maple syrup, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt.
Pat dry salmon with paper towel. This helps ensure that the seasoning sticks to the salmon better. Spread paprika mixture over all sides of the salmon.
Heat a pan or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and add oil.
When the pan is hot, place the salmon filets on the pan, skin-side down. Cook for 4-5 minutes, or until the sides are opaque. Flip the salmon over and cook for an additional 2-5 minutes, or until it reaches your preferred level of doneness.
Expert tips
- When cooking the salmon, make sure the pan is hot before adding the salmon on. It usually takes at least 1 minute for the skillet or pan to heat up enough.
- The thickness of the salmon will affect how many minutes it cooks for. Wild fish is usually thinner and requires less cooking time; farmed fish is thicker and requires more cooking time.
Variations and substitutions
This recipe is pescatarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free. Here are some variations and substitutions to accommodate other dietary restrictions:
- Make it Low FODMAP: Omit the garlic powder and instead use a garlic-infused oil to make this a Low FODMAP recipe.
- Don't have maple syrup? No worries! Just swap with honey or brown sugar.
What to serve with paprika salmon
To make this a complete meal, I recommend serving this salmon dish with veggies and a carb source. The combo of these honey sriracha Brussels sprouts and sautéed sweet potatoes with tahini butter is especially delicious. Another favorite is serving this paprika salmon with this sweet and zesty mango corn salsa. Either way, you can't go wrong!
If you made this recipe, I’d love to see your creation! Don’t forget to snap a picture and tag me @thebalancedbite on Instagram. Follow along on Pinterest and Facebook for more healthy & tasty recipes!
More healthy seafood recipes:
- Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa
- Tuna Salad with Greek Yogurt (No Mayo)
- Shrimp Taco Bowl
- Healthy Shrimp Scampi
- Shrimp Taco Lettuce Wraps
Paprika Salmon
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 6-ounce salmon fillets
- 1 tablespoon olive or avocado oil
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine lemon juice, maple syrup, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt. Mix together until well-combined
- Pat dry salmon with paper towel. Spread paprika mixture over all sides of the salmon.
- Heat a pan or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil.
- When the pan is hot, place the salmon filets on the pan, skin-side down. Cook for 4-5 minutes, or until the sides are opaque. Flip the salmon over and cook for an additional 2-5 minutes, or until it reaches your preferred level of doneness. Note - the thickness of the salmon will affect how many minutes it cooks for. Wild fish is usually thinner and requires less cooking time; farmed fish is thicker and requires more cooking time.
- Remove from heat, serve, and enjoy!
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