Tasty Salmon with Fig Jam

Finding a dinner recipe that feels fancy enough for date night but easy enough for a busy weeknight can feel impossible. You want something that looks impressive when you set it on the table, but you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen or hunt down ingredients you’ve never heard of.

That’s where this salmon with fig jam comes in perfectly. It sounds restaurant-quality, but it’s surprisingly simple to make at home with ingredients you can find at any grocery store, and the sweet-savory combination never fails to impress.

salmon with fig jam
Image: theamazingfood.com / All Rights reserved

Why You’ll Love This Salmon with Fig Jam

  • Quick weeknight dinner – Ready in under an hour, this recipe is perfect for busy evenings when you want something special without spending all night in the kitchen.
  • Restaurant-quality flavors – The sweet fig jam paired with perfectly seasoned salmon creates a gourmet meal that tastes like it came from an upscale restaurant.
  • Simple ingredients – With just a handful of pantry staples and fresh salmon, you can create an impressive dish that looks and tastes fancy.
  • Healthy and nutritious – Packed with omega-3s from the salmon and fresh greens from the arugula, this meal gives you great nutrition without sacrificing flavor.
  • Easy preparation – The straightforward cooking method means even beginner cooks can nail this recipe and impress their family or guests.

What Kind of Salmon Should I Use?

You can choose farm-raised or wild salmon for this recipe, and both will work great with the sweet fig jam. If all you have access to is frozen salmon, don’t worry – you’ll still get delicious results. Most fresh salmon at the grocery store has actually been previously frozen right off the boat anyway. For the best quality, look for salmon fillets that have a bright color and firm texture, and if buying frozen, make sure there aren’t any ice crystals or signs of freezer burn. Skin-on or skinless both work fine here, though if you want crispy skin, make sure to cook it skin-side down first.

salmon with fig jam
Image: theamazingfood.com / All Rights reserved

Options for Substitutions

This simple but tasty salmon dish is pretty forgiving when it comes to swaps:

  • Fig jam: If you can’t find fig jam, apricot preserves or cherry jam work beautifully with salmon. You could even use orange marmalade for a citrusy twist – just reduce it slightly in a pan to concentrate the flavors.
  • Arugula: Not a fan of arugula’s peppery bite? Baby spinach, mixed greens, or watercress make great substitutes. Each brings its own flavor profile to complement the salmon.
  • Sesame seeds: Toasted pine nuts, chopped almonds, or even pumpkin seeds add that same nice crunch. If you’re going nut-free, try toasted breadcrumbs or just skip them altogether.
  • Seasoning blend: Don’t have all these spices on hand? A simple mix of salt, pepper, and dried herbs like thyme or oregano will do the trick. Even just salt, pepper, and garlic powder keeps things simple and tasty.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when cooking salmon is overcooking it, which turns this flaky fish into a dry, chalky disappointment – aim for an internal temperature of 145°F and remember that salmon continues cooking even after you remove it from heat.

Another common error is not patting the salmon completely dry before seasoning, which prevents proper searing and can make your spiced seasoning slide right off the fish.

When it comes to the fig jam, resist the urge to add it too early in the cooking process since the sugars can burn and turn bitter – instead, brush it on during the last few minutes of cooking or serve it alongside as a glaze.

For the best results, let your salmon come to room temperature for about 15 minutes before cooking, and don’t forget to toast those sesame seeds in a dry pan for just a minute or two to bring out their nutty flavor.

salmon with fig jam
Image: theamazingfood.com / All Rights reserved

What to Serve With Salmon with Fig Jam?

This sweet and savory salmon pairs beautifully with simple sides that won’t compete with the fig jam’s rich flavors. I love serving it over a bed of wild rice or quinoa to soak up any extra jam, and the nutty grains complement the sesame seeds perfectly. Roasted vegetables like asparagus, Brussels sprouts, or sweet potatoes work great too, since they balance out the sweetness of the fig jam. For something lighter, try serving it alongside a simple cucumber salad or some steamed broccoli with a squeeze of lemon.

Storage Instructions

Refrigerate: Store your leftover salmon in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. The fig jam will keep its flavor well, and you can even save any extra jam separately to use on other dishes throughout the week. I like to flake the cold salmon over salads the next day!

Freeze: You can freeze the cooked salmon for up to 2 months, though I’d recommend freezing it without the arugula since greens don’t freeze well. Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag to prevent freezer burn.

Warm Up: To enjoy your salmon again, gently warm it in the oven at 300°F for about 10 minutes, or just eat it cold over fresh greens. The fig jam actually tastes great at room temperature, so you don’t always need to heat everything up.

Preparation Time 30-40 minutes
Cooking Time 15-20 minutes
Total Time 45-60 minutes
Level of Difficulty Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

  • Calories: 200-250
  • Protein: 5-10 g
  • Fat: 8-15 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30-40 g

Ingredients

For the salmon rub:

  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Onion powder
  • Garlic powder
  • Dried rosemary
  • Parsley flakes

For assembly and serving:

  • Spiced fig jam
  • Arugula leaves
  • Sesame seeds

Step 1: Season the Salmon

  • salt
  • black pepper
  • onion powder
  • garlic powder
  • dried rosemary
  • parsley flakes

Pat the salmon fillets dry and season them evenly with salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, dried rosemary, and parsley flakes.

Make sure to coat both sides of the salmon thoroughly with the seasoning mix.

Let the seasoned salmon sit for 15 minutes at room temperature to allow the flavors to infuse.

Step 2: Marinate Salmon with Fig Jam

  • spiced fig jam
  • seasoned salmon from Step 1

After the initial 15 minutes of resting with the seasoning, spread a generous amount of spiced fig jam over the tops of the salmon fillets.

Marinate for an additional 15 minutes to allow the sweet and savory flavors to meld together.

I find this extra marination really brings out a delicious sweetness that pairs beautifully with the herbs.

Step 3: Bake the Salmon

  • marinated salmon with fig jam from Step 2

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Place the marinated salmon fillets on a lined baking sheet or in a baking dish, and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork.

Baking time will vary slightly depending on the thickness of the fillets.

Step 4: Prepare the Garnishes and Serve

  • arugula leaves
  • sesame seeds
  • baked salmon from Step 3

While the salmon is baking, arrange a bed of arugula leaves on serving plates.

Once the salmon is done baking, place the fillets on top of the arugula.

Sprinkle with sesame seeds for extra crunch and a nutty flavor.

Serve immediately.

For a finishing touch, I often add a squeeze of lemon to lighten the dish even more.

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