The 3-Ingredient Marinade That Ensures Perfectly Baked Salmon Every Time

A well-made baked salmon dish is one of those meals that tastes, feels, and looks expensive yet requires minimal effort and skill. To make an opulent baked salmon entree, however, you need the right flavor-forward fixings to jazz the fish up. Although a simple flurry of spices and herbs works wonders, a marinade can infuse a fillet with flavor from the inside out. A salmon marinade may seem like an extravagant extra step, but three humble ingredients are all you need to achieve a mouthwatering, crave-curbing seafood dish.

To prepare a restaurant-quality baked salmon with a dynamic yet complex flavor, assemble a marinade using soy sauce, garlic, and honey. The salty, savory taste of soy sauce combined with the sharp, somewhat spicy flavor of garlic unite to deepen the umami profile of the predominantly rich and buttery-tasting fish. To balance the savory vigor of the marinade, introduce honey for a sticky-sweet relief that rounds out the flavor profile for a dish that walks the lines of bold, delicate, and luxurious. As it bakes, the floral honey helps form a glossy, caramelized crust around the fatty, tender-textured body of the salmon fillet for a more rich and toothsome mouthfeel. Although it has a busy flavor profile, this simple salmon marinade pairs nicely with many side dishes. Whether it's roasted veggies and rice, mashed potatoes, or buttery udon noodles, your options for serving this delicious seafood entree are anything but limited.

Making this no-frills salmon marinade is as easy as assembling your three ingredients, soaking your fish, and baking as usual. But like all recipes, keeping a few tips in mind ensures a well-made meal with a balanced flavor.

For starters, consider a marinade's ideal ingredient ratios — too much of any one addition can overpower the dish. For every 1 pound of salmon, try using ¼ cup honey and soy sauce, and up to 4 cloves of garlic, depending on your taste. In a pinch, you can substitute garlic powder in place of fresh garlic by swapping ⅛ teaspoon of the ground spice for every fresh clove. Similarly, instead of using honey, you can use maple syrup, agave nectar, or brown sugar, depending on which sweetener best suits your tastes. To avoid a too-salty taste, consider using low-sodium soy sauce. Don't hesitate to incorporate added fixings, either. Sriracha, lime juice, and miso paste are excellent additions if you'd like to take your marinade a step further in flavor.

While some meats benefit from soaking in a marinade overnight, marinating food for longer isn't always better. Because salmon isn't tough and gristly like certain cuts of beef or lamb, it doesn't require tenderizing. One hour in the fridge is plenty of time to infuse a salmon filet with the flavors of this three-ingredient marinade. However, because the marinade doesn't feature a highly acidic component like citrus juice, you can get away with soaking the salmon overnight. If you added citrus juice or vinegar, avoid extended marination to prevent a mushy texture.

Next time you're planning a baked salmon dinner, don't settle for the same old routine. Bust out your soy sauce, garlic, and honey to give your favorite seafood dish a major facelift.