Baked Salmon Blood Orange Glaze (Printable)
Enjoy a vibrant, zesty salmon with a sweet-tart blood orange glaze. Ideal for a healthy, elegant meal in under 40 minutes.
# Ingredient List:
→ Salmon
01 - 4 (6-ounce) skinless salmon fillets
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Blood Orange Glaze
05 - 1/2 cup fresh blood orange juice (from about 2–3 blood oranges)
06 - 2 teaspoons blood orange zest
07 - 2 tablespoons honey
08 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce (use tamari for a gluten-free option)
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - 1 clove garlic, finely minced
11 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
→ Garnish
12 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
13 - Fresh blood orange slices (optional)
# How to Make:
01 - Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup, or lightly grease a baking dish.
02 - Gently pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Brush both sides of each fillet generously with olive oil, then season evenly with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Arrange the fillets, skin side down, on the prepared baking sheet.
03 - In a small saucepan, combine the fresh blood orange juice, blood orange zest, honey, soy sauce (or tamari), Dijon mustard, finely minced garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes (if desired). Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the glaze has reduced by approximately half and achieved a slightly syrupy consistency, about 7–10 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat.
04 - Carefully spoon about half of the prepared blood orange glaze evenly over the salmon fillets.
05 - Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven and bake the salmon for 12–15 minutes, or until the fish is just cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
06 - Carefully remove the salmon from the oven. Brush the cooked fillets generously with the remaining blood orange glaze.
07 - Garnish the baked salmon with freshly chopped parsley and optional fresh blood orange slices. Serve immediately for optimal flavor and enjoyment.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- You'll feel like a gourmet chef without any of the fuss, because the vibrant color and incredible flavor do all the heavy lifting.
- It's one of those rare dishes that tastes indulgent but is secretly super healthy, making it perfect for impressing guests or just treating yourself.
02 -
- Don't overcook the salmon; it goes from perfectly tender to dry in a flash, so keep a close eye on it during those last few minutes.
- Reducing the glaze sufficiently is absolutely key; if it's too thin, it won't cling to the salmon, but if it's too thick, it might burn, so aim for a syrupy consistency.
03 -
- If you want an even deeper flavor, marinate the salmon in half of the glaze for about 20-30 minutes before baking; this really lets the flavors infuse.
- Always taste your glaze as it reduces and adjust seasonings; a tiny pinch more salt or a squeeze of fresh blood orange can elevate it from good to absolutely unforgettable.