Looking for a dinner that’s both impressive and incredibly easy to make? This Zesty Orange-Glazed Salmon is my go-to recipe when I want to serve something special without spending hours in the kitchen. The bright citrus flavors perfectly complement the rich salmon, creating a restaurant-worthy dish that’s actually simple enough for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets, skin-on
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
- Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper. Let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes while you prepare the glaze.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together orange juice, honey, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and orange zest until well combined.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, place the salmon fillets skin-side up and cook for 4 minutes until golden brown.
- Flip the salmon and cook for another 2 minutes. Pour the orange glaze mixture into the pan.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer for 3-4 minutes until it thickens and the salmon is cooked through. Baste the salmon with the sauce occasionally.
- Transfer the salmon to serving plates and spoon the remaining glaze over top. Garnish with sliced green onions.
Cook Time and Serving Size
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Recipe Notes
- For the best results, choose center-cut salmon fillets of equal thickness to ensure even cooking.
- The salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
- If the sauce becomes too thick, thin it out with a splash of orange juice or water.
- Don’t have fresh orange juice? Store-bought works too, but fresh will give you the best flavor.
- This glaze can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Serve alongside steamed rice or roasted vegetables to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Leftover salmon can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
The beauty of this Zesty Orange-Glazed Salmon lies in its versatility and foolproof nature. Even if you’re new to cooking fish, you’ll find this recipe approachable and rewarding. The key is not to overthink it – just let the quality ingredients and simple technique work their magic.
Zesty Orange-Glazed Salmon
Looking for a dinner that's both impressive and incredibly easy to make? This Zesty Orange-Glazed Salmon is my go-to recipe when I want to serve something special without spending hours in the kitchen. The bright citrus flavors perfectly complement the rich salmon, creating a restaurant-worthy dish that's actually simple enough for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 4 6-ounce salmon fillets, skin-on
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 green onions thinly sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
- Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper. Let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes while you prepare the glaze.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together orange juice, honey, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and orange zest until well combined.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, place the salmon fillets skin-side up and cook for 4 minutes until golden brown.
- Flip the salmon and cook for another 2 minutes. Pour the orange glaze mixture into the pan.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer for 3-4 minutes until it thickens and the salmon is cooked through. Baste the salmon with the sauce occasionally.
- Transfer the salmon to serving plates and spoon the remaining glaze over top. Garnish with sliced green onions.
