Crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside Pecan Crusted Salmon comes together in less than 30 minutes and makes an impressive meal! Whip it up any night of the week or save it for special occasions!
Now, you might be wondering: why crust a salmon? I’m so happy you enquired, because I have answers!
Crusting salmon with a nutty pecan topping encases the fish in crunchy texture while keeping the inside tender.
You end up with a flavorful main dish that is both easy to prepare and yields a restaurant-quality meal!
Made with basic pantry ingredients like pecans, avocado oil, mustard, pure maple syrup, and spices, the nutty topping is a cinch to put together.
Just use your favorite kind of salmon and you’re in for a delicious main dish!
Salmon is one of my favorite protein sources because it contains a great dose of omega-3 fatty acids in addition to complete protein.
Omega-3 fats are great for brain health, enhancing memory and mood, and protecting against Alzheimer’s disease. They are also paramount for hormone health, skin, hair, and gut health.
One serving of fatty fish (such as King salmon) gives you more than your daily values of omega-3 fats! The nutrient information is available in the recipe card below!
If you’re hooked on salmon, consult my extensive archive of healthy salmon recipes for more salmon inspiration!
Let’s discuss the wholesome ingredients for this easy salmon recipe.
Pecan Crusted Salmon Ingredients:
Salmon Fillets: We need one pound of salmon for this simple recipe. You can use a large salmon fillet or cut it into small individual-portions.
Any kind of salmon or trout works for this recipe! I used sockeye salmon, but I have also tried Atlantic salmon and it turns out great. King salmon is an excellent option as well.
Raw Pecans: The reason we’re all here! Crunchy pecans make an excellent crust for salmon and also help lock the moisture into the flesh for tender salmon.
Avocado Oil: We need a little fat to mix with our seasonings to add richness to the fish. I like using avocado oil because it has a high smoke point, which is ideal for cooking at high temperatures.
Pure Maple Syrup: A little sweetness compliments the nuttiness of the pecans and the tanginess of the mustard. You can swap it out for brown sugar if you’d like.
Stone Ground Mustard: Dijon mustard works too! The mustard is there for a little tangy flavor and saltiness. We don’t use so much that the flavor is overpowering or detectible. It is fairly subtle.
Garlic Powder: A little garlic flavor is a must in fish and seafood recipes! I like using garlic powder because it has a smoother flavor than fresh garlic cloves and sticks to the fish nicely.
Paprika: A little paprika adds a hint of smoky flavor, which adds nuance to the flavor profile.
Sea Salt and Black Pepper: Season the fish to taste using salt and pepper.
Recipe Customizations:
- Looking for an almond version? Make my Almond Crusted Salmon.
- Use your favorite seasonings, creating various flavor profiles. Dried herbs, Cajun seasoning, and lemon pepper are all great options.
- Swap out the pure maple syrup for brown sugar.
- Use two tablespoons of melted butter instead of avocado oil for creamy flavor.
- Garnish with fresh herbs such as fresh thyme or fresh parsley.
Now that we’ve covered the basic ingredients, let’s make this easy pecan crusted salmon recipe!
How to Make Pecan Crusted Salmon:
For extra crunchy topping, toast the pecans ahead of time. To do so, transfer the chopped pecans to a small skillet and heat on the stove top over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the nuts turn a slightly darker color.
Use caution, as nuts burn easily. This is why you should monitor the nuts the whole time, stirring them often, just until they have a deeper golden brown color to them.
Once toasted, tinder the pecans to a small bowl and set aside until ready to use. Note: You can skip this step if you aren’t concerned about the level of crunch of the topping.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a baking sheet or a casserole dish with cooking spray. You can also grease the pan using avocado oil, which is what I do.
Remove the salmon filets from their packaging and pat them dry using paper towels.
In a small bowl (I use a ramekin), stir together the avocado oil, pure maple syrup, stone ground mustard, garlic powder, paprika, and sea salt until the ingredients are well combined.
Transfer the salmon filets to the prepared baking dish. Drizzle each filet with the pure maple syrup mixture and use your hands or a silicone brush to coat all of the salmon flesh with the mixture.
Gently press the finely chopped pecans into the fish so that they stay put during the baking process.
Bake on the center rack of the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through. Note that thinner salmon fillets require less bake time than thick fillets.
Salmon fillets that are about an inch of thickness require about 8 minutes, versus upwards of 12 minutes for thick filets.
The FDA considers salmon to be fully cooked once it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Insert a digital thermometer into the thickest part of the fish to check for doneness.
If you prefer salmon that is rare in the middle, cook to 130 degrees F, but only do so if you trust the quality of the fish.
Remove the salmon from the oven and serve immediately with your choice of side dishes. I like serving salmon with lemon wedges so that one can drizzle the fish with a little fresh lemon juice if desired.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Looking for side dish suggestions to serve with salmon? Here are some of my favorites.
What to Serve With Salmon:
- Italian Salad
- Greek Pasta Salad
- Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
- Garlic Herb Roasted Vegetables
- Coconut Lime Rice
The next time salmon is on the menu, change it up with this healthy dinner recipe. If you enjoy tender, flaky fish, this easy salmon recipe is for you!
While I typically advocate for batch cooking protein for weeknight meals, I always recommend salmon be eaten just after preparing it. This is when the flavor and texture is at its best!
Easy enough to prepare any night of the week, yet fancy enough to serve dinner guests for a special occasion, this versatile recipe is here to impress.
Check out the available nutrient data in the recipe card below for the macronutrient breakdown.
If you’re a salmon lover like me, also try some of my popular salmon recipes.
More Healthy Salmon Recipes:
- Crispy Bang Bang Salmon Bites Bowls
- 4-Ingredient Mediterranean Stuffed Salmon
- Crispy Salmon with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
- Red Curry Salmon with Vegetables
- Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Salmon
Crust that salmon!
Pecan Crusted Salmon
Ingredients
- 1 pound salmon cut into individual filets
- 1 Tbsp avocado oil
- 1 Tbsp pure maple syrup *
- 1 ½ tsp stone ground mustard
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp sea salt to taste
- ½ cup raw pecans finely chopped
Instructions
- For extra crunchy topping, toast the pecans ahead of time. To do so, transfer the chopped pecans to a small skillet and heat on the stove top over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the nuts turn a slightly darker color, about 2-3 minutes. Transfer pecans to a bowl and set aside until cooled and ready to use.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a baking sheet or a casserole dish with cooking spray. You can also grease the pan using avocado oil, which is what I do.
- Remove the salmon filets from their packaging and pat them dry using paper towels.
- In a small bowl (I use a ramekin), stir together the avocado oil, pure maple syrup, stone ground mustard, garlic powder, paprika, and sea salt until the ingredients are well combined.
- Transfer the salmon filets to the prepared baking dish. Drizzle each filet with the pure maple syrup mixture and use your hands or a silicone brush to coat all of the salmon flesh with the mixture.
- Gently press the finely chopped pecans into the fish so that they stay put during the baking process.
- Bake on the center rack of the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through. Note that thinner salmon fillets require less bake time than thick fillets. Salmon fillets that are about an inch of thickness require about 8 minutes, versus upwards of 12 minutes for thick filets.
- The FDA considers salmon to be fully cooked once it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Insert a digital thermometer into the thickest part of the fish to check for doneness. If you prefer salmon that is rare in the middle, cook to 130 degrees F, but only do so if you trust the quality of the fish.
- Remove the salmon from the oven and serve immediately with your choice of side dishes. I like serving salmon with lemon wedges so that one can drizzle the fish with a little fresh lemon juice if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
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This was fun! I love a nutty crunch and our salmon turned out so lovely in the inside. We used Atlantic salmon, which I know isn’t supposed to be the best, but its fattiness made such a moist and flavorful fish. Will definitely make it again.
Right?! Definitely a fun change-up!