Baked Salmon Orange Glaze (Printable version)
Tender salmon fillets baked and brushed with a bright orange glaze for a fresh, flavorful dinner.
# What You'll Need:
→ Fish
01 - 4 skinless or skin-on salmon fillets, each approximately 6 ounces
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Orange Glaze
04 - 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (from about 2 oranges)
05 - 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
06 - 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free option
07 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
08 - 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
09 - 1 clove garlic, finely minced
10 - 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
11 - 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
12 - 1 tablespoon cold water (optional, for thickening)
→ Garnish
13 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
14 - Orange slices or zest, for serving (optional)
# How to Prepare:
01 - Set the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
02 - Pat the salmon fillets dry and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
03 - Combine orange juice, honey or maple syrup, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, grated orange zest, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer.
04 - If desired, mix cornstarch with cold water to form a slurry, whisk into the simmering glaze, and cook for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
05 - Brush approximately half of the glaze evenly over the salmon fillets. Reserve the remainder for later use.
06 - Place salmon in the preheated oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until just cooked through and flaky.
07 - Remove salmon from oven, drizzle with reserved glaze, and garnish with chopped parsley and orange slices or zest. Serve immediately.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- The glaze is sweet, tangy, and savory all at once, balancing the rich salmon perfectly without overwhelming it.
- It looks impressive but comes together in half an hour with ingredients you probably already have.
- Cleanup is minimal, just one pan and one pot, which means more time enjoying dinner and less time scrubbing.
02 -
- Dont overbake the salmon or it turns dry and chalky, pull it out as soon as it flakes easily and still looks a little glossy in the center.
- If you skip patting the salmon dry, the glaze wont stick as well and the surface wont caramelize the way it should.
03 -
- Marinating the salmon in half the glaze for 30 minutes before baking deepens the flavor and makes the fish even more tender.
- A pinch of red pepper flakes in the glaze adds a gentle heat that plays beautifully with the sweetness of the orange and honey.