Mac Sauce Salmon

Have you ever wondered what would happen if a Big Mac and a Salmon Filet had a baby? Honestly, we hadn’t either, but one night we were in bed thinking about what to do with our leftover homemade Mac Sauce and this recipe came to mind. We knew it could either be an epic fail or something magical. Luckily, this unlikely combination turned into the best salmon recipe We have made to date – no exaggeration! Needless to say, this recipe is one of a kind and we haven’t seen it anywhere else on the internet, but it’s definitely one of those pairings that should have been a thing long ago!

What stands out

The creamy mac sauce gives this salmon a perfectly rich and tangy crust, creating a crispy, slightly sticky exterior. The interior of the salmon remains moist and tender flaking apart with each forkfull. The slight sweetness from the sauce perfectly balances the fattiness of the salmon, while the tanginess cuts through the richness creating flavor. Keep in mind, you can make it as light or rich as you’d like by either making this recipe with mayo or a combination of mayo and sour cream. Best of all, it only takes 10 minutes to prepare!

How to Prepare

Preheat the oven to 400F (200C).

To a mixing bowl add: 2 tablespoons each mayo, sour cream, and plain yogurt, ½ tablespoon tomato paste, 1 teaspoon sriracha, and 1 tablespoon each honey dijon mustard, relish, and pickle juice.

Stir the Mac Sauce together and then set aside.

Now, place the salmon filets in a baking dish lined with parchment paper. Add a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper on top, and then brush each with 1 tablespoon of the Mac sauce.

Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden and the fish flakes off.

For the last 5 minutes, turn the oven on BROIL and let it get golden on top.

Take the salmon out of the oven, transfer onto a plate, and then add some more Mac sauce on top.

Kitchen tip

Make this Mac Sauce as light or as rich as you’d like. If you use all yogurt it will be tangier and lighter. You can also use a mix of all 3 like we did, using whatever ratio you like best.

Swaps

1. You can use the sauce for shrimp or any other seafood you love.
2. If you want to make this Mac Sauce Salmon dairy-free use Veganaise as well as a non-dairy sour cream/yogurt.
3. You can make this sauce using all yogurt but it will be more tangy and light or you can do a mix of all 3 like we did, using whatever ratio you like best.
4. If you don’t have honey Dijon mustard you can certainly use regular mustard with or without a dash of honey.
5. Finely chopped pickles would also be in the Mac Sauce instead of relish.

Serve it with

• Mac Sauce plus French fries…need we say more?!
• Serve this Mac Sauce Salmon as an entree with a big, fresh green salad or our Healthy Potato Salad.
• Serve this Salmon as a bowl with cooked rice or quinoa, fresh cucumber and carrot slices, a drizzle of extra Mac sauce, and a sprinkling of sesame seeds or chives.
• You can use this Mac Sauce with everything: in a burger, as a dip for veggies or onion rings, in wraps, and as a sandwich spread.

Questions

can we make this sauce dairy-free?

Yes, you can certainly make the Mac Sauce Salmon dairy-free by using a Veganaise and your favorite non-dairy sour cream or yogurt.

strong Can we grill the salmon instead of baking it?

Absolutely! Grill the salmon over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, depending on the thickness, and baste it with the Mac sauce.

What can we substitute for sriracha if we don’t like spicy food?

You can omit the sriracha or replace it with a milder hot sauce. Alternatively, try a dash of smoked paprika for a bit of flavor without too much heat.

strong Can we make the Mac sauce in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the sauce a day ahead and store it in the fridge. This is a great homemade condiment to keep in the fridge for meals all week!

Ingredients

Makes 4 servings

Mac Sauce

• 2 tablespoons mayo, or Vegenaise
• 2 tablespoons sour cream, any
• 2 tablespoons plain yogurt, optional
• ½ tablespoon tomato paste
• 1-2 teaspoons sriracha, to taste
• 1 tablespoon honey dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon relish, or 1 finely diced pickle
• 1-2 tablespoons pickle juice

The Fish

• 4 small salmon fillets
• 1 drizzle olive oil
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch pepper

Equipment

• Measuring Cups + Spoons
• Mixing Bowls
• 8 x 8 Baking Dish
• Parchment Paper

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 400F (200C).
2. Mix all of the ingredients for the Mac Sauce in a bowl, and set aside.
3. Now, place the salmon filets in a baking dish lined with parchment paper. Add a little drizzle of olive oil, salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of the Mac sauce on each one.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden and the fish flakes off. Cooking time will depend on the size of the fish so keep an eye on it.
5. For the last 5 minutes, we like to turn the oven on BROIL (top broiler only) and let it get golden on top.
6. Take it out of the oven, transfer onto a plate and add some more Mac sauce on top of each one.
7. Serve on a bed of mashed potatoes, a side of veggies, or on cauliflower mash.