Easy Roasted Salmon with Mustard Sauce: Quick and Delicious
There’s something special about family recipes passed down through generations. They carry with them memories, tradition, and a comforting familiarity. I’m excited to share a twist on one of my family’s oldest recipes—roasted salmon with a tangy, savory-sweet mustard sauce passed down through generations.
Meet the Mustard Sauce : The Star of the Dish
My family has enjoyed this mustard sauce in so many ways, from an Easter ham star, to a dip for phyllo-wrapped hotdogs on the 4th of July.
But today, I’m sharing a reinvention of that classic sauce, pairing it with roasted salmon. It’s a fun and flavorful way to breathe new life into an old favorite and show how layering traditional recipes with fresh ideas can bring a sense of nostalgia while embracing new tastes. If you’re looking for a simple, yet delicious dinner, this easy roasted salmon with mustard sauce is the perfect recipe for you!
This mustard sauce comes together quickly but does require overnight refrigeration for the flavors to really develop it. Prep it in advance to have on hand for this salmon (and you’ll have plenty left over to use for a sandwich spread or an instant charcuterie board star!)
The History Behind this Creamy Mustard Sauce Recipe
I’ve enjoyed this creamy mustard sauce recipe for years, but its history reaches far beyond my kitchen. The recipe was passed down from my Great Aunt Liz — a professional cook, hospital head dietician, and gifted hostess.
As a teenager, Liz and her sister, Marguerite (my grandmother), spent summers visiting relatives who ran an inn in Pennsylvania known for its exceptional cuisine. Family stories say it was in that kitchen where Liz first discovered her love of cooking, and many of her treasured recipes, including this one, came from those summers.
Aunt Liz shared this mustard sauce recipe generously throughout her life.. With a few modern updates, this family mustard sauce recipe continues to find new life while honoring its roots.
This easy roasted salmon with mustard sauce recipe is always a crowd-pleaser. It’s quick and simple enough for a weeknight meal but special enough for any holiday or occasion. I hope you enjoy making this delicious and flavorful dish!
Easy Roasted Salmon with Creamy Mustard Sauce
This family-favorite recipe for broiled salmon brings together the perfect balance of flavors—crispy, tender salmon topped with a tangy, creamy mustard sauce and a hint of fresh tarragon. The mustard sauce, passed down through generations, adds a zesty kick that perfectly complements the rich fish. Whether you’re making it for a special family dinner or a weeknight meal, this dish brings both comfort and sophistication to the table. Make the mustard sauce in advance for a quick weeknight meal!
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each), skin on
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh tarragon
OLD-FASHIONED CREAMY MUSTARD SAUCE – See link for step-by-step instructions
- 1/4 cup best quality dry ground mustard (recipe calls for Coleman’s Mustard)
- 1/4 cup cider vinegar
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 1 cup good quality full-fat mayonnaise
Instructions
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Preheat the Broiler:
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Set your oven to broil and allow it to preheat for about 5 minutes. Place an oven rack in the top third of the oven.
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Prepare the Salmon:
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Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels to ensure crispy skin.
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Drizzle the fillets with olive oil, rubbing it over both sides of the salmon.
- Using a brush or the back of a spoon, brush a thin layer of creamy mustard sauce on top of the salmon.
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Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Broil the Salmon:
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Place the salmon fillets on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper, skin side down.
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Broil for about 6 minutes and then remove it and cook for another 4-6 minutes on the other side (based on preference) until the top is golden and the salmon easily flakes with a fork. If you prefer Keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.
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Remove from the Oven:
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Once cooked, carefully remove the salmon from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Using a squeeze bottle, a pastry bag or a plastic bag with a corner cut off, drizzle the mustard sauce in on top of the fish and finish with chopped tarragon and freshly cracked pepper.
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Notes
- Serve with a side salad or roasted potatoes.
Matriarch Muse : Liz
Liz Murray was born in 1914 in Pennsylvania. She studied home economics at Marywood College and went on to serve as head dietitian at a state hospital for 35 years, overseeing three meals a day for 1,600 people.
She never married and lived in a lively Irish Catholic home with her mother, aunts, and her younger sister Marguerite’s family. After her sister’s death at just 47, Aunt Liz became a steady, loving mother figure to her six nieces and nephews.
Kind and generous, elegant and funny, her cooking became the stuff of family legend—from Thanksgiving feasts to her niece’s towering cherry walnut wedding cake. She remains our culinary gold standard, and preserving her recipes is a true honor.
