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Baked Salmon with Honey Mustard and Pecan-Panko Crust

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This baked salmon with a crunchy topping takes just 20 minutes to make, yet it’s elegant enough for company.

Baked salmon with honey mustard and pecan-panko crust on a plate with a fork.

This easy salmon dish takes a total of 20 minutes—10 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook—yet tastes like something you’d order at a fancy restaurant. It’s perfect for when you have company coming at the end of a long day (and you’re asking yourself, “What was I thinking?!”) or on a busy weeknight when you have to hit the kitchen running. Feel free to substitute another type of fish like cod, trout or striped bass.

To parents of picky eaters: if your kids are lukewarm on fish, I find that a crunchy coating is the best way to entice them, and you can omit the nuts if need be (or try my panko-topped baked salmon recipe with no nuts). Pair the salmon with a green vegetable and a starch (baked potatoes, twice-baked potatoes, couscous, or drop biscuits are all good options).

What You’ll Need To Make Baked Salmon with Honey Mustard & Pecan-Panko Crust

Salmon ingredients including sea salt, honey, and lemon.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Begin by combining the mustard, butter, honey, salt, and pepper to make the glaze.

Spatula in a bowl of honey mustard.

Next, make the topping by mixing together the panko, pecans, and parsley.

Glass bowl of pecan-parsley-panko mixture.

Spoon the glaze over the salmon fillets.

Salmon topped with honey mustard.

Then press the pecan-panko mixture over top.

Uncooked, crusted salmon filets.

Bake for 7-10 minutes per inch of thickness, or until the salmon flakes when tested with a fork.

Cooked, crusted salmon filets.

Enjoy!

Video Tutorial

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Baked salmon with Honey Mustard and Pecan-Panko Crust on a plate.

Baked Salmon with Honey Mustard and Pecan Panko Crust

This baked salmon with a crunchy topping takes just 20 minutes to make, yet it’s elegant enough for company.

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes
Total Time: 20 Minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • ¾ teaspoon salt, divided
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ cup panko
  • ¼ cup finely chopped pecans
  • 2 teaspoons finely chopped parsley (optional, for color)
  • 4 (6-oz) salmon fillets
  • 1 lemon, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 450°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup, and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the mustard, melted butter, honey, ½ teaspoon salt, and pepper. Set aside.
  3. In another small bowl, mix together the panko, pecans, parsley (if using), and remaining ¼ teaspoon salt.
  4. Spoon the honey-mustard mixture evenly over the salmon fillets. (Don't worry if it drips down the sides a little.) Sprinkle the panko-pecan mixture over the glaze, pressing it lightly so it adheres.
  5. Bake for 7-10 minutes per inch of thickness, depending on how well done you like your salmon. (If you find that the topping is browning more than you’d like before the fish is cooked through, loosely cover the salmon with foil.) Serve hot or at room temperature. (Note that if your salmon has skin, it may stick to the foil; to remove the fish from the pan, slide a thin spatula between the skin and the flesh, leaving the skin behind.)
  6. Make Ahead: The salmon can be glazed, coated with the panko-pecan mixture, and refrigerated up to 3 hours ahead of time.

Pair with

Nutrition Information

Powered by Edamam

  • Per serving (4 servings)
  • Calories: 482
  • Fat: 33 g
  • Saturated fat: 9 g
  • Carbohydrates: 8 g
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 36 g
  • Sodium: 467 mg
  • Cholesterol: 109 mg

This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.

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Comments

  • This fish has become my special secret go to for entertaining and family holiday dinners. The addition of the glaze before the panko/herb topping elevates this fish to a new level. Baked salmon is something that I will eat, but generally not relish. Grilling salmon or poaching it were my preferred ways to eat salmon before I discovered Jenn’s incredible baked salmon. It is truly a meal that dresses up any holiday table and is always raved about by family and friends. The fact that there is NEVER a bite leftover speaks to how wonderful and special this panko crusted salmon is! Kudos Jenn for a dish that is a hit every time it is on the menu!

    • — Carol Hirsh Blechman
    • Reply
  • Made this over the weekend and it was a super hit! I frequently put Dijon and maple syprup on our salmon, but the panko and pecans was really next level! Super easy.

  • This recipe is so easy and delicious. I’ve always grilled salmon, even in the winter, but I’m loving Jen’s technique to cook this in the oven! The combo of the honey mustard with the pecan-panko crumb mixture takes very little time to assemble and has a great balance of sweet and savory on your tongue. I did not have individual salmon fillets but a larger, single piece of salmon from a local fisherman so I had to cook mine slightly longer than the recipe stated. Definitely will be making this again soon!

  • This dish is an absolutely delicious combination of flavors! My whole family loved it, and it is now part of our regular dinner rotation! It looks fancy, but is very easy to make! I highly recommend it! 🙂

  • Added to the successful dinner recipes list! Really easy and delicious, though I did have to put the salmon back in for a bit longer as I got 4 larger portions rather than 6 smaller portions of salmon. Just 5 more minutes did the trick (:

    • — Maggie Whitley
    • Reply
  • Not sure if I already reviewed but just in case I didn’t…….it’s super easy and SO delicious! I’ve made it for my family several times and they love it. I’ve been really enjoying the recipes you share. Glad I found you on IG. Thank you!

    • — Danette Harlow
    • Reply
  • Our favorite salmon recipe. The salmon turns out perfect every time. We love the crunch of the topping with the tenderness of the salmon. I serve it with the roasted green beans, pine nuts and garlic and it is so satisfying! You are truly my favorite chef!!

  • My family absolutely loves salmon prepared this way! One of the easiest and best favored salmon recipes I have found.

    I purchased Jennifer’s cookbook “Once Upon A Chef” and love it! Wonderful recipes and I enjoy the sourcing savvy and pro tip comments she makes for each recipe.
    A great buy and one of my favorite cookbooks.

  • What a nice presentation this salmon dish makes. I rate this “good enough for company” because of the look and especially the taste of this crunchy yet tender dish. I actually cooked it twice in one week because I wanted to treat my mother. She loved it!

    • — Karen M Miller
    • Reply
  • I gave this recipe a go for the first time tonight and it was an enormous success. Even my fussy children wanted seconds! I am sure I’ll be making this again very soon. Thank you for this quick and flavorful recipe!

  • Love this simple but also party worthy diner. It’s easy to prepare and is a great flavour combination

  • I made this for a Holiday dinner for my boyfriends son and girlfriend and they raves about the recipe. The salmon melts in your mouth and gives a little crunch. Just simply amazing! Everytime I make it I take it down to my 75 year old neighbor because she said no one makes it’s better. I said oh yes there is… Jennifer can. LOVE this recipe!

  • We are fortunate to live in the Pacific NW and have the opportunity to go fishing. I am always looking for new salmon recipes and this one has become a new favorite. It adds flavor without overpowering the salmon. Thank you!

    • — Jeri Jo Brokaw
    • Reply
  • This recipe is a real 5 star! Super easy to make and so good! Will definitely become an every-week meal from now on!

  • I’ve never been a big fan of salmon,but this recipe has turned me around.
    The sweet and savory blend of honey and the mustard, along with the crunch of the pecans make this outstanding. Extremely easy to make, not a lot of clean up. Good for company, prepare it, and then bake when the guests arrive. I use gluten free Panko.

  • I made this for an older friend who had surgery. Her husband called me just to share how much they enjoyed it. It’s an easy dish with lots of flavor. The panko crust also makes it look extra fancy.

  • This is my “go to” recipe when I really don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen or if I get home late from work. I have your pecan and herb topping and mustard glaze premixed in jars in my refrigerator. Salmon is usually available at my local meat store, and then I can pull it all together in less than 15 minutes. With a green vegetable on the side, I am in heaven.

    • Super delicious! Fast and easy. I found out at the last minute that I did not have pecans, so I substituted walnuts. Came out great. Spouse said it was just like a restaurant meal.

      • — Carol D on April 23, 2022
      • Reply
  • This salmon is part of our regular dinner rotation. Made about 6-10 times at this point. It’s the best salmon ever! The recipe is perfect – we don’t change a single thing. We have skipped the parsley at times when we didn’t have any on hand. It’s mostly for color so it’s not really necessary, though it adds to the dish’s beauty. Often served with a side of Lundberg wild rice with seasoning and roasted asparagus. Perfection!

  • I made this recipe the first time about 2 months ago when searching for something I could put together quickly after a long working day and this has now become a family favorite! If salmon is on the menu, this is the recipe we choose 99% of the time. I love that it is made with pantry-stocked items and tastes great as leftovers, if there are any!

    • — Hellen Gutsche
    • Reply
  • I never have the confidence to make a new recipe for friends before trying it out for myself first. I decided to step out of my comfort zone and it was a success! I had Chinese parsley in the fridge and I thought it would be too strong but it was awesome. Thanks for the emails with fabulous recipes which inspire me to cook with more variety.

  • I love salmon and was looking for a new salmon recipe to try this. The idea of a crunchy top is what caught my eye. It was so easy and turned out absolutely wonderful. This will be my god to salmon recipe now. I love so many of Jenn’s recipe. Always look at Once Upon a Chef first.

    • — Sueann Fusselman
    • Reply
  • I’m not a huge salmon person usually, but this recipe turned me on to it and I haven’t look back since. I make this once a week and never get tired of it. The pecan topping gets crispy and it’s absolutely delicious. The perfect recipe for those who aren’t sure about salmon and those who love it. This topping will change people’s minds! Incredible.

  • I have never been a fan of most seafood recipes. However, recently salmon has been a staple in my diet. This recipe is by far the most yummy salmon I’ve ever eaten. It has a sweet tangy flavor and is done in a jiffy. What could be better? Add a sweet potato or a baked potato and your favorite vegetable and you have a dinner that you would be proud to serve to family and friends.

    • — Anita Friedrich
    • Reply
  • This salmon is absolutely wonderful and so easy to make. This has become my go to dish to serve when company is coming for dinner—- it is always a big hit!

    • — Elise Shernoff
    • Reply
  • Delish! Easy to make and it looks so fancy 🙂

  • This is, HANDS DOWN, the BEST salmon recipe! And…it is incredibly easy! I no longer order salmon in a restaurant, because this truly is delicious. If you are a salmon lover, and even if you’re not, you should definitely make this!!

  • For the last year, this recipe has been my default recipe for making salmon. It’s also the recipe that made me more confident in cooking fish, which is not something I did often before living with my boyfriend. It is easy, delicious and looks upscale enough to serve to company. I keep panko breadcrumbs handy for this recipe alone!

  • No changes to the recipe. Perfect as is.

  • Fantastic. I always have these ingredients on hand so this is perfect for a last minute dinner.

    • — Mary Lambdin Dennis
    • Reply
  • I’ve made this several times and definitely is company worthy

  • I never thought I could replace my old beloved salmon recipe. Then I tried this! Wow. Best salmon recipe ever. This is a perfect combo of sweet, savory, and crunchy while letting me still taste the salmon.
    I have used many recipes on this site. Never have I had a problem, or a dish not work. This is simply my fave. Thanks, Jen

  • I’ve tried this recipe several times and it’s a great way to use a less expensive cut of salmon or even the frozen individual portions you can buy inexpensively. The salmon was so flavourful and moist. I didn’t have pecans so I omitted them but still, the recipe turned out so good with just the panko. Thank you for another recipe that I will keep and use over and over.

  • OMG — What a wonderful recipe!
    I wanted to make a special dinner to celebrate the inauguration of our new President, so I turned to my “Go-To” chef, because every recipe of Jenn’s that I have made has been fabulous!
    We are fish/seafood lovers, especially salmon, and this one looked so good.
    I served it on a bed of sautéed Swiss chard with a twice-baked potato, and bottled of chilled Sauvignon Blanc. A memorable dinner for a special celebration.
    Thanks so much, Jenn, for all the marvelous recipes!

    • — Lou Polsinelli
    • Reply
  • Jenn, thank you so much for this recipe. The salmon was AMAZING!

  • Hi Jenn,

    You always have AMAZING recipes. I would like to try this recipe – Baked Salmon with Honey Mustard and Pecan-Panko Crust. Everyone is raving over this recipe so I want to make it! However, I am not a huge fan of mustard. Do you have any recommendations on a substitute?

    • So glad you like the recipes! 🙂
      Unfortunately, I don’t think there’s a great alternative to the mustard here – I’m sorry!

  • This is my go to recipe for those times I gift meals to friends. It is so easy and the flavor is outstanding. Even when I leave the pecans out for nut allergies, it rocks. 5 stars!

    • — Darlene Somers
    • Reply
  • This was delicious and so simple to serve over Xmas and was gorgeous with the black bean & corn lime vinaigrette salad from this website. Thanks Jenn for another awesome recipe, wishing you & family a happy and safe new year!

  • Easy and delicious! I served with brown rice and sautéed spinach. Raves from my husband! I shared it with friends and family. I have never been disappointed with a recipe from Once Upon a Chef!

  • This was awesome ! Followed recipe exactly, served my dish with wild rice and roasted veggies. My husband went crazy for it.

  • I’ve been making this recipe for a few years now and absolutely love it. Last week I actually doubled the recipe for the glaze/Panko mixture because we were trying the recipe with one large piece of fish and I wasn’t sure how much of the topping we would need. Anyway I had quite a bit leftover (I froze Panko crumb mixture). This week I tossed cauliflower florets in the Leftover mustard and Panko mixtures and baked at 425 for 25 minutes and OMG it was amazing!!! Now I have 2 great ways to use your recipe. Thanks so much!!!

  • I am so glad I made this recipe, it was so good. I served it with a butter-baked rice recipe that I’ve had for years, and an old apple celery recipe, and it was just a wonderful meal. Your salmon recipe made one of the best salmon versions I’ve ever had. Thank you.

  • Perfection! Such an easy recipe that tastes amazing! Great with sweet potato mash and broccolini!

    • Omg, you can’t know how grateful I/we are! This fits with BOTH hubs & my medically restricted diets. I served with baked asparagus, with a sprinkling of parmigiano reggiano cheese (for a crusty top).
      THANK YOU AGAIN!

  • Another FANTASTIC recipe! 😊 thank you for sharing your delicious food. I really enjoy your recipes & they’re always a hit with my family.

  • This was delicious! My kids and husband don’t like salmon and they loved it!!! Soooo good!!

  • Worked out really good. Added some garlic and lemon. Great balanced dish.

  • Made this tonight when my wife called from work to say she was starving and would be home in 20 minutes……yikes! Super FAST and EASY, and of course she LOVED IT! Restaurant quality!! 5 stars, most certainly!

  • This is by far the easiest (quick doesn’t do this justice) and most delicious salmon I’ve made it ages. This is so unbelievably tasty that I have made it TWICE in the past 4 days. So so good. Flavorful and delish. Jenn has literally NEVER failed me, and this is no exception.

  • My all time favorite fish recipe. Everyone in my family (even the kids) loves it!

  • Hi Jenn,

    Thank you very much for this lovely recipe! It is so simple, yet very tasty and classy! It’s definitely the most delicious when it’s warm, however it is still good when it’s cold as well! This will be a regular in our house.

    Thank you once again!

    Marija

  • I loved this recipe. Followed it exactly as written and it turned out perfect. Served with a spicy bok choy and polenta. Definitely would be a company dish – but for us, it was a nice dinner!

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