Picture a juicy, tender salmon fillet glowing with a glossy maple‑mustard glaze, served alongside a bright and crisp salad of thinly sliced apple, radish, and celery—every bite is a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and refreshing.
This dish comes together in just 20 minutes, making it an ideal pick for busy weeknights or a casual weekend dinner. It’s light enough to feel fresh, yet hearty enough to satisfy—and beautifully colorful on the plate, too.
Full Recipe
Ingredients:
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4 salmon fillets (6 oz each)
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2 tbsp maple syrup
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2 tbsp Dijon mustard
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1 tbsp whole-grain mustard
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1 tbsp olive oil
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Salt & freshly ground black pepper
For the Salad:
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1 crisp apple (e.g., Gala or Honeycrisp), cored and thinly sliced
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4 radishes, thinly sliced
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2 celery stalks, thinly sliced on bias
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1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
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1 tsp honey
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1 tbsp olive oil
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Salt & pepper to taste
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Directions:
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Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
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In a small bowl, whisk together maple syrup, Dijon mustard, whole-grain mustard, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
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Brush glaze over salmon fillets generously on both sides.
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Place salmon on the hot grill, skin‑side down if applicable. Grill 4–5 minutes per side, brushing again with glaze halfway, until salmon is just opaque inside.
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Meanwhile, in a medium bowl combine apple slices, radish, and celery.
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Whisk apple cider vinegar, honey, olive oil, salt, and pepper; pour over salad and toss gently.
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Serve salmon hot, topped with additional glaze if desired, alongside the crisp salad.
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Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 20 minutes
Kcal: ~450 kcal per serving | Servings: 4
A Flavor-Packed Weeknight Meal That’s Anything But Ordinary
Grilled Maple‑Mustard Salmon with Apple-Radish-Celery Salad is more than just a dinner — it’s a vibrant celebration of contrasting flavors and textures. This dish offers the kind of restaurant-quality taste that you can easily achieve at home without spending hours in the kitchen. The maple-mustard glaze delivers a perfect mix of sweetness and tang, while the crunchy, refreshing salad adds balance and brightness to every bite. It’s the kind of meal that makes you feel like you’re eating clean, but without sacrificing excitement or depth of flavor.
The Inspiration Behind the Dish
This recipe draws inspiration from the idea of elevating everyday ingredients into something truly special. Salmon, a versatile and nutritious protein, gets an upgrade with a two-mustard glaze that’s enhanced by the warm, amber notes of maple syrup. Paired with a salad that highlights the crisp freshness of in-season produce like apples, radishes, and celery, this meal was designed for those who crave something light yet satisfying.
Maple and mustard are a classic culinary pairing with French roots. The sweetness of maple syrup complements the spicy tang of mustard, creating a glaze that’s both savory and subtly sweet — ideal for enhancing the rich, buttery flavor of salmon. Combining that with a salad full of contrasting textures and bright acidity ensures the dish doesn’t feel heavy, making it suitable for spring, summer, or any time you’re looking for a feel-good plate.
Nutrition Meets Flavor
One of the most appealing aspects of this dish is how nutritionally balanced it is. Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are vital for heart and brain health, and it’s a great source of protein. The natural sugars in maple syrup make it a better-for-you sweetener alternative, while Dijon and whole-grain mustard provide a hit of antioxidants and depth.
The salad brings fiber, vitamins, and hydration to the plate. Apples provide vitamin C and natural sweetness, radishes offer a peppery crunch and detoxifying properties, and celery delivers hydration and vitamin K. Together, these ingredients form a refreshing, low-calorie side that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
This makes the dish an ideal option for those on a Mediterranean-style diet or anyone seeking to reduce their intake of processed foods without giving up taste.
A Seasonal Star That Works Year-Round
What makes this dish so versatile is its ability to feel right at home in any season. In the summer, it can be grilled outdoors and enjoyed on a patio with a glass of white wine. In the cooler months, it transitions beautifully to a stovetop grill pan or cast-iron skillet and pairs well with a warm grain like farro or wild rice.
The salad can also be adapted seasonally. Swap apples for pears in the fall, or toss in thinly shaved fennel in the spring. Add toasted nuts like walnuts or almonds for a nutty crunch or a sprinkle of blue cheese for added richness. These simple variations allow you to enjoy this meal throughout the year without it ever feeling repetitive.
Entertaining-Ready Yet Weeknight-Easy
Despite its elegance, this recipe is quick enough for a weeknight but impressive enough for company. With just a few pantry staples and fresh ingredients, you can assemble it in about 20 minutes from start to finish. The glaze can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge, and the salad can be prepared a couple of hours in advance—making this a perfect stress-free option for hosting.
It’s also visually stunning. The golden caramelized salmon, glistening with glaze, sits beautifully against the vibrant reds, whites, and greens of the salad. This visual appeal makes it an excellent choice for food bloggers, social media posts, or when you simply want to serve something that looks as good as it tastes.
Tips to Nail the Perfect Glaze and Salad Pairing
To ensure maximum flavor, brush the glaze onto the salmon generously and let it sit for a few minutes before grilling. This helps the glaze adhere and caramelize beautifully without burning. While grilling, avoid flipping the salmon too often — a single flip halfway through cooking is ideal for that picture-perfect crust.
As for the salad, use a mandoline slicer if you want ultra-thin, uniform slices that provide restaurant-level presentation and texture. Freshly cracked black pepper and a touch of sea salt elevate the dressing’s flavor, and letting the salad sit for 5–10 minutes before serving allows the vinaigrette to soak in without making the veggies soggy.
Pairing Suggestions
To turn this meal into a complete dining experience, consider serving it with a light, chilled glass of white wine — Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio both pair well with the glaze’s sweetness and the salad’s acidity. For a non-alcoholic pairing, a cold glass of sparkling water with lemon or cucumber is an equally refreshing option.
On the side, you can add a scoop of herbed quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes, or a slice of crusty whole-grain bread to round out the meal. These additions provide more texture and make the dish more filling without taking away from its fresh, clean vibe.
Why This Dish Belongs in Your Rotation
With minimal effort, maximum flavor, and undeniable health benefits, Grilled Maple-Mustard Salmon with Apple-Radish-Celery Salad is a recipe worth repeating. It hits all the right notes: it’s simple, nutritious, impressive, and adaptable. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just starting to explore clean eating, this dish checks all the boxes.
The glaze can be doubled and kept for other proteins like chicken or tofu. The salad works on its own as a quick lunch or as a topping for grain bowls. Once you try it, you’ll quickly discover it’s one of those rare recipes that feel both indulgent and responsible — and that’s the kind of cooking we can all feel good about.
Conclusion
In a world full of rushed weeknight dinners and processed shortcuts, recipes like this one remind us how joyful cooking can be. Grilled Maple‑Mustard Salmon with Apple-Radish-Celery Salad is a beautiful balance of indulgent flavor and nutritional integrity. It showcases how, with just a few ingredients and thoughtful preparation, you can serve a meal that’s as good for your body as it is for your soul.
It’s quick enough for Tuesday night but elegant enough for Saturday dinner with guests. You can easily adapt it, dress it up, or keep it minimal. And best of all, it celebrates fresh, seasonal food in a way that’s exciting and totally doable for any level of cook.
This is one of those dishes that you’ll come back to again and again—not just for the taste, but for the way it makes you feel: nourished, inspired, and connected to what you’re eating.