10 Maple Syrup Recipes Both Sweet and Savory!

Story of Maple Syrup

According to one legend, a chief stuck his tomahawk into a maple tree one spring night. In the morning, he pulled it out and went off hunting. His wife had placed a container under the tree, and the clear, watery sap dripped into it. Later, she needed water to cook some meat. She thought the liquid in the bucket was water, so she used it. As it cooked, the water evaporated until syrup was left. The sweet meat was the best they had ever tasted, and soon the entire tribe was cooking with maple sap. 

Maple Syrup Trivia

• Maple sugar was the most common sweetener in the northern United States and Canada until the late 1800s, when white sugar took its place. (Maple syrup is still a healthy option for a sweetener than refined sugar!)
• The northern United States and southeastern Canada are the only places in the world where sugar maples grow naturally and weather conditions are right to harvest sap.

10 Maple Syrup Recipes

1. Maple Teriyaki Chicken

A hint of maple mellows the sweet-sour flavor of teriyaki. For party food, prepare recipe using chicken wings.

Image credit: Stepanek Photography/Shutterstock

2. Maple-Orange Glazed Vegetables

This easy glaze can be added to a variety of vegetables and is particularly good with baked squash—just brush it on during the last few minutes of cooking.

Image credit: Joshua Resnick/Shutterstock

3. Maple BBQ Ribs

Cook these ribs on the grill or in the oven. Our readers say it best: “EASY and LOVED by all my guests!” 

4. Maple Baked Beans

This maple-kissed version of baked beans makes an excellent accompaniment to our maple-glazed BBQ ribs. 

Image credit: Julie deshaies/Shutterstock

5. Maple Mustard

This spicy, sweet mustard is excellent with smoked meats or in sandwiches. Add a little to mayonnaise for potato or pasta salads.

Image credit: Pat Hastings/Shutterstock

6. Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Plain baked sweet potatoes are great; this way of preparing them is sublime. Excellent with poultry dishes.

Image Credit: Elena Veselova/shutterstock

7. Maple Squash Casserole

We used a combination of delicata and butternut squash to create this slightly sweet and nutty dish. Mmmm!

Image credit: Sam Jones/Quinn Brein

8. Maple Apple Crisp

This version of the classic apple crisp makes its own lovely thick sauce as it bakes. 

Image credit: PosiNote/shutterstock

9. Maple Pecan Gooey Bars

Photo credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

10. Maple Granola

This healthful granola is great with yogurt or eaten straight out of the container!

Image credit: Marysckin/Shutterstock

Here at the Almanac, we call maple syrup, “liquid gold.” How is maple syrup made? Read this article about, “Maple Syrup: A Natural Wonder.”