This Pineapple Glazed Salmon comes together in about 30 minutes and is baked in one dish for a easy weeknight dinner that your family will love! You can switch up the pineapple and glaze ingredients to suit your taste or use it as a ‘clean out the fridge’ meal to get rid of those leftover veggies, you know, the ones lurking in the back, waiting to be cooked!
Ingredients
Salmon Fillets
You’ll need 4 salmon fillets, about 6 ounces each. Salmon is packed with omega-3 fatty acids and has a rich, buttery flavor that’s hard to resist. Also, feel free to substitute with another fish like trout or tilapia if you prefer! Just keep in mind that cooking times may vary slightly.
Olive Oil
One tablespoon of olive oil is all you need. This not only adds to the flavor but also helps the salmon cook evenly. You can use avocado oil or melted coconut oil instead if you’ve got them on hand, both will work just fine!
Salt and Pepper
A 1/2 teaspoon of salt and a 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper will elevate the flavor of the fish. I find that a couple pinches of both right before baking does the trick. If you’re low on salt, a dash of soy sauce could add a nice depth of flavor too.
Pineapple
You want 1 cup of diced pineapple, fresh or canned, drained really well. Using fresh pineapple brings a juicy sweetness that I absolutely love, but canned is a quick shortcut if you’re pressed for time. Honestly, they both work like a charm!
Brown Sugar
For a touch of sweetness, use 1/4 cup of packed light brown sugar. This is what makes that glaze stick and caramelize beautifully. If you’re looking to cut down on sugar, you could try coconut sugar or even honey, but you might need to adjust quantities since they’re not as sweet.
Soy Sauce
You’ll need 2 tablespoons of soy sauce to bring in some umami flavors. It’s a simple ingredient that really enhances the overall profile of this dish. If you’re on a low-sodium diet, be sure to use reduced-sodium soy sauce!
Rice Vinegar
With 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar, you’re adding a touch of acidity that balances everything out. If you don’t have it, any light vinegar like white or apple cider will work, though it might change up the flavor slightly.
Minced Garlic
A teaspoon of minced garlic makes everything sizzle with flavor! I always keep pre-minced garlic on hand for convenience, or you can chop up fresh garlic if you want that strong bite.
Grated Fresh Ginger (Optional)
If you want to add a little zing, toss in 1/2 teaspoon of grated fresh ginger. It’s optional, but oh man, it adds an incredible depth! If you’re out of ginger, don’t sweat it; just skip this step!
Parsley (for Garnish)
Lastly, some fresh parsley, chopped, is a lovely garnish to brighten up the dish. It makes it feel fancy, just saying! If you don’t have parsley, cilantro or even green onions could work here.
Let’s Get Cooking!
How to Make Pineapple Glazed Salmon
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Get that oven nice and hot while you’re prepping!
Grease the baking dish. Lightly grease a baking dish with a bit of cooking spray or extra olive oil. You want it to be big enough to hold the fillets without them feeling cramped.
Whisk together the glaze. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and ginger (if using). This glaze is simply divine, you’re going to want to taste it a few times. Like, no judgement here!
Prepare the salmon. Pat those salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Seriously, this is key for even cooking and to get a good crust. Once they’re dry, rub about 1 tablespoon of olive oil all over each fillet, then sprinkle with a couple pinches of salt and pepper.
Place the salmon in the dish. Lay the salmon fillets skin-side down into your prepared baking dish.
Add the glaze. Spoon about two-thirds of the glaze evenly over each salmon fillet. Scatter the leftover diced pineapple around them in the dish oh, how pretty it looks!
Bake the salmon. Pop that beauty into the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork. Your kitchen will smell incredible, trust me!
Optional broiling step. If you want some caramelization on that glaze (which I highly recommend), turn the broiler on for the last 1 to 2 minutes. Keep a close eye on it; things can turn from caramelized to burnt like, in the blink of an eye!
Let it rest. Take it out and let it rest in the dish for about 5 minutes. I know, a bit of a tease, but it helps the juices redistribute for a more tender bite.
Garnish and serve warm. Sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley on top and serve warm with all that delicious pan juices and those lovely pineapples. Pure bliss!
Why I Love This Recipe
This is my go-to recipe when I want something that feels special but doesn’t take up my evening. I’m a real sucker for the combo of sweet and savory like, who isn’t? My family adores it, and the best part is that it’s just so versatile. I love experimenting! Sometimes I’ll throw in a bit of chili sauce for heat or swap in different fruits.
This dish reminds me of summer barbecues and warm nights with friends. It’s comfort food that anyone can make, and it makes me feel like a rock star chef… even on those really busy weeknights!
If you loved this Pineapple Glazed Salmon, be sure to check out my Creamy Salmon Gnocchi, my Pan-Seared Salmon with Garlic Sauce, or my Salmon Balls with Creamy Avocado Sauce!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes! Perfect for those busy weeks when you want a home-cooked meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
One Pot Meal
You only need one dish for baking, so cleanup is a breeze! Less scrubbing equals more time for you to kick back and enjoy.
Customizable
Talk about versatility! You can use whatever ingredients you have. Swap the veggies or change up the glaze, you can really make this your own. Got some leftover greens? Toss those in!
Crowd-Pleaser
Honestly, the whole family will love it. I mean, who can resist that amazing glaze? The sweet and savory combo is something everyone can agree on at the dinner table. My kids absolutely devour it, and my picky eater even asked for seconds!
Comfort Food
This dish is loaded with tons of flavor and makes a comforting meal any day of the week. It feels special but is simple enough for midweek.
Serving and Storage Tips
What to Serve With This
Serve this pineapple glazed salmon alongside steamed vegetables or a fresh salad. It pairs beautifully with rice or quinoa too, those grains will soak up all that sweet glaze wonderfully!
Storage
It keeps well in the fridge for about 3 days. Just store it in a covered container to keep it fresh. Although I highly doubt there will be any leftovers!
Reheating Instructions
When you reheat your salmon, the best method is to warm it in the oven or a toaster oven at a low temp (around 300°F/150°C) for about 10 minutes. This way, it’ll stay juicy without getting dry.
Freezer Friendly?
You can freeze the salmon if you’re left with portions! Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. It’ll keep well for up to 3 months. Just thaw it in the fridge before reheating.
So there you have it! This Pineapple Glazed Salmon isn’t just a dish; it’s an experience. Perfect for busy weeknights or weekend dinners with family and friends. Enjoy the flavors, and happy cooking! Follow us on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration!
Pineapple Glazed Salmon
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Lightly grease a baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
- In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and ginger (if using).
- Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels.
- Rub about 1 tablespoon of olive oil over each fillet, then sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Lay the salmon fillets skin-side down into the prepared baking dish.
- Spoon about two-thirds of the glaze over each salmon fillet and scatter the leftover diced pineapple around them.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the salmon flakes with a fork.
- For caramelization, turn on the broiler for the last 1 to 2 minutes, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
- Let the dish rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and enjoy!