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This grilled maple salmon recipe is a KEEPER! One of my readers, Marina, shared the concept for this soy-maple glaze with us, saying “it is by far the best salmon recipe I’ve ever had.”
Naturally, I was curious and after looking at the ingredients (you really can’t go wrong with this list!), I was off to the grocery store to re-create. We loved this maple salmon on the grill for the added smokiness. The sizzling hot grates seal in flavor and add those pretty grill marks that are the hallmark of summer!
Watch the video tutorial and you’ll be convinced! You can also make this a baked maple salmon for the winter months (see instructions below).
Watch How To Make Maple Salmon:
We served this maple salmon with grilled zucchini and garlic mashed potatoes. It was an easy, excellent dinner! 🙂
Notes on Grilling Times:
It all comes down to how thick salmon fillets are. Follow these guidelines for grilling over med/high (350˚F heat):
1″ thick fillets = 4 to 5 minutes per side
3/4″ thick fillets = 3 to 4 minutes per side
1/2″ thick fillets = 2 to 3 minutes per side
Instructions for Baked Maple Salmon:
1. Combine the salmon and sauce in a baking pan and marinate 45 minutes in the refrigerator, turning half way.
2. Preheat oven to 400˚F and bake salmon in the same pan (with the sauce) for 20 minutes or until flaky and cooked through.
Grilled Maple Salmon Recipe

Ingredients
- 1/3 cup real maple syrup
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 2 garlic cloves, pressed or finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- 2 to 2 1/2 lbs salmon fillet, cut into 6 (1-inch thick) portions
- 1/4 cup green onion, finely chopped, for garnish
Instructions
How to Make Grilled Maple Salmon:
- Stir together marinade: 1/3 cup maple syrup, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, 2 pressed garlic cloves, and 1/2 tsp pepper (you can even combine it in the plastic bag to save a dish!).
- In a large zip-loc bag, combine salmon fillets with marinade and toss to combine. Seal the bag, removing excess air. Marinate in the refrigerator 45 minutes. Flipping the bag over halfway. Preheat Grill to medium/high heat.
- Remove salmon to a platter, reserving marinade. Oil the grates (dip a paper towel in oil and use tongs and an oven mitt for safety). Grill salmon skin-side-down over medium/high heat according to the chart below (this salmon took about 4 min per side). Carefully flip salmon over and continue grilling until salmon is flaky.
To Make the Maple Glaze:
- Transfer reserved marinade to a small sauce pan and boil it down over high heat whisking constantly for for 3-4 minutes, or until starting to thicken. Brush grilled salmon with soy-maple glaze and serve garnished with green onion if desired.
Notes
1" thick fillets = 4 to 5 minutes per side
3/4" thick fillets = 3 to 4 minutes per side
1/2" thick fillets = 2 to 3 minutes per side
How to Make Baked Salmon:
Combine the salmon and sauce in a baking pan and marinate 45 minutes in the refrigerator, turning half way. Preheat oven to 400˚F and bake salmon in the same pan (with the sauce) for 20 minutes or until flaky and cooked through.
We served these with grilled zucchini and garlic mashed potatoes. Easy, excellent dinner! 🙂
Important Note: the glaze works best after marinating fresh fish. If you purchase frozen salmon and thaw it, you may have to strain marinade before boiling down to remove debris. The fish will still taste great without the extra glaze if you decide to omit it.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
Throw some salmon on the grill and have an awesome week my friends! 🙂
This marinade is delicious. I reduced the sesame oil and added 1 tsp diced jarred jalapeños peppers. The cooked marinade is delicious on the rice.
Natasha could this be done in an air fryer?
If so, what temperature and time would you recommend?
Hi Liz! I would reference my Air fryer salmon recipe for baking time/instructions.
Substituted EVOO for sesame oil and did not add additional marinade after grilling. Turned out fantastic with just the right amount of honey/soy seasoning.
Best marinade for salmon!
Favorite for sure! It is simple and very tasty!
Thank you for the feedback, Gloria!
Hi Natasha, love your recipes! Can I use my Blackstone griddle to cook the salmon or will the sugar from the syrup in the marinade burn? Would probably set the surface temperature to 350-375F. Thanks!
HI Michael, I think the syrup would burn and you would have a tough time cleaning your griddle after.
We used our griddle and it turned out great. Since we season the griddle the marinade does not Carmelize and stick. Cleanup was easy. My husband and guests really liked the fish!
Hi Inga! Thank you for sharing! I’m glad it was enjoyed.
Served to a dinner party of 5 couples. RAVE REVIEWS!!!
Every guest asked for the recipe. And every one has now made it at home PLUS reported back these exact words: “Best fish recipe I’ve ever had”
It’s now my go to main course for dinner parties …. And, of course for us.
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Stephen!
Our favorite salmon recipe! Have grilled it and baked it- delicious either way!
Yum! That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Gloria!
My daughter is deathly allergic to all forms of sesame…what is a good substitute so we avoid killing her ?
Hi Cheryl, you can omit the seasme oil or replace with another oil. I also have plenty of other salmon recipe to choose from. You can view them here.
Wonderful recipe. Thanks Natasha!
I did decrease the syrup by half and added a tsp of fresh grated ginger. So good.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Joy! Thank you so much for sharing that with me!
Made the baked version tonight and it was delicious! So easy!! I decreased the amount of soy sauce as I’m not a fan.
Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Michelle!
I am not a fan of salmon but with this marinade I became one! Thank you, Just delicious…
I’m glad to hear that you loved it, Karen!
Just wondering if this sauce can be used the same way with boneless chicken? Also can you make extra and store it in a canning jar for future use? How long would it keep? Thank you for taking the time to reply…
Hi Martha, I honestly haven’t tried using boneless chicken yet to advise. I think it works but I can’t say for sure unless I try it. I also haven’t tried canning or putting it in a jar for future use. We usually make and serve it same day.
I’ve made this recipe many times now. So gosh darn good. my husband got me a new grill pan, the perfect culinary storm! Sometimes, the salmon search is over! thank you!
I’m so sorry for being redundant! I just get excited about cooking and finding perfect recipes!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I’m making this tonight. Again! such a great recipe and my husband bought me a new grill pan. I have to admit, I can’t help but eat a little of that crunchy skin! yum
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
I make this once a week in a cast iron pan on a gas grill. Comes out perfect and delicious every time. I’ve also used the marinade on pork chops but let the pork sit in the juice for a couple hours.
Isn’t it the best! It sounds like you found a new favorite! That’s so great!
Hi Natasha. May I ask if this will work on salmon steaks instead of salmon fillet?
Hi Joanna, I haven’t tested that to advise but I bet that could work! If you experiment, please let me know how you like that.
This glaze is so so simple, and a huge hit in our family. What a great tip for using the marinade after it has done it’s first job. Thanks so much!!
You’re welcome Bev! I’m so happy you enjoyed that!
I made this last night and it was awesome! I followed the recipe and baked it in the oven. Also the leftovers were delicious in a salad the next day. I will make this again.
Aren’t left overs the best! Thank you for sharing that with us!
This has become my go to recipe for salmon. Very flavourful. I really appreciated the cook times based on thickness of fish. It makes it easy to get a perfect cook every time. I have grilled it and baked it. Both delivered a delicious dish.
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Brenda!
I’ve made this several times with great results, but this time I used low sodium soy sauce and when I went to boil the marinade, it was chunky and a must lighter color.